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In December 2025, U.S. container import volumes were 2.23 million TEUs, up 2% month over month, according to Descartes Systems Group. From a year earlier, they were down 5.9%.
Total container imports in 2025 were 28.08 million TEUs, down 0.4% from 28.2 million TEUs in 2024 and reversing what was nearly 10% year-over-year growth at the start of the year. This gradual softening likely reflects a combination of frontloaded shipments in early 2025, tariff-driven volatility and a potentially cooling economic environment, which collectively narrowed and ultimately eliminated annual container import growth.
In December, U.S. containerized imports from the top 10 countries and regions of origin declined 8.4% year over year, or 143,200 TEUs. The contraction was driven primarily by those from China, which fell 21.8%, or 96,730 TEUs. China’s share in total U.S. container imports was 31.7%, the lowest percentage in December in the last six years. Additional year-over-year decreases were recorded in those from India, down 15%, from Taiwan, down 13.2%, from South Korea, down 7.1%) and from Italy, down 1%. In contrast, several Southeast Asian origins posted strong year-over-year growth. Imports from Thailand increased 28.3%, or 24,511 TEUs; from Vietnam, 21.5%, or 48,889 TEUs; and from Indonesia, 19.6%, or 9,527 TEUs. More modest gains were recorded in containers from Japan, up 1.7%, and from Hong Kong, up 1.1%.
