U.S. container imports dip in September but remain resilient year-to-date

U.S. container imports fell sharply in September but remain relatively strong compared with last year, signaling moderate resilience in demand despite trade policy uncertainty.

According to new data  from Canadian supply chain solutions company Descartes, total imports reached 2.31 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in September 2025, down 8.4 per cent from both August and the same month last year. Still, it was the third-highest September on record, with volumes for the first nine months of the year tracking 1.9 per cent above 2024 levels.

Imports from China dropped to 762,772 TEUs, down 12.3 per cent from August and nearly 23 per cent year-over-year, as importers reacted to shifting tariff policies. The pullback was broad-based across categories such as apparel, electronics and furniture.

Major U.S. ports saw overall volumes decline 7.9 per cent, led by drops at Long Beach, Baltimore and Savannah, while Tacoma was the only major port to post gains. East and Gulf Coast ports slightly increased their market share to 41.3 per cent, while West Coast ports slipped to 43.9 per cent.

Trade uncertainty remains elevated as the “Liberation Day” tariffs face a Supreme Court appeal and a new Section 301 vessel fee took effect Oct. 14, raising costs for Chinese-built or -operated ships. The U.S.–China tariff truce is also set to expire Nov. 10, and continued Red Sea disruptions are extending shipping routes by up to two weeks.

Despite these headwinds, analysts say U.S. ports continue to demonstrate efficiency and stability under sustained volumes.

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