News
In July, U.S. container import volumes surged to 2.62 million TEUs, up 18.2% over June and 2.6% higher than July 2024, according to a recent report released by Descartes Systems Group.
Imports from China climbed to 923,075 TEUs, a 44.4% month-over-month increase and the highest level in 2025. For the second consecutive month, the top West Coast ports maintained the lead in market share over East and Gulf Coast ports. Overall, port transit time delays increased only modestly at top U.S. ports in July, indicating that infrastructure performed well despite elevated volumes. While global supply chains continue to grapple with ongoing geopolitical disruptions, trade policy developments are also creating sustained trade uncertainty.
July volumes were just 555 TEUs shy of the all-time record set in May 2022. While consistent with the month-over-month peak season rise in ocean shipping that has occurred over the last nine years, July 2025 volumes also reflect suspected tariff-driven frontloading by U.S. importers ahead of impending trade policy shifts. Compared to pre-pandemic July 2019, volumes were up 19.3%. Total TEUs through July are up 3.6% compared to the same period in 2024.
