- The Port of Long Beach processed over 901,000 TEUs in August 2025, its second-busiest August on record.
- Imports and exports dipped, but empty container volumes rose, signaling future import strength.
- A temporary U.S.-China tariff pause has fueled shipping activity, easing uncertainty for retailers.
The Port of Long Beach, part of the San Pedro Bay complex alongside the Port of Los Angeles, reported handling 901,846 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in August 2025. While this was 1.3% below the monthly record set in 2024, it marked the second-busiest August and the sixth-highest month in the port’s 114-year history, according to FreightWaves.
Imports fell 3.6% to 440,318 TEUs, while exports dropped 8.3% to 95,960 TEUs. Empty containers, often seen as a forward-looking indicator of import activity, climbed 3.7% to 365,567 TEUs.
Tariff Pause Boosts Activity
The surge in cargo came during a temporary break in U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods. President Donald Trump’s initial 90-day tariff pause expired in early August but was renewed with a new 30% baseline tariff that now extends into November. The extension comes as Washington and Beijing continue trade agreement discussions.
Port Chief Executive Mario Cordero noted that shifting trade policies continue to add uncertainty, but digital tracking via the Supply Chain Information Highway suggests that peak season shipping volumes are likely to match last year’s, as retailers replenish inventories ahead of the holiday season.
Industry Reactions and Demand Trends
Industry voices have reflected on the impact of the tariff pause. A shipping executive told FreightWaves that the pause allowed U.S. Customs and Border Protection to manage the flood of regulatory changes without overwhelming IT systems. Meanwhile, a distributor of industrial testing equipment that sources products from China and Malaysia reported strong demand building since June, with August expected to hit record levels. The company said tariff-related price increases of about 3% had not deterred customers, who appear more confident about their business outlook.
Year-to-Date Growth
From January through August 2025, the Port of Long Beach handled 6,592,708 TEUs, marking an 8.3% year-on-year increase.
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Source: FreightWaves
