The latest Global Shipping Report by Descartes Systems Group indicates that U.S. container imports remained nearly unchanged in October, reaching 2.3 million TEUs, a marginal decline of 0.1% from September. Year-on-year, imports dropped 7.5%, marking a slower pace of recovery for the shipping sector.
Imports from China increased 5.4% compared to September but were still 16.3% lower than the same month last year. For the first ten months of 2025, total U.S. imports stood just 0.9% higher than the same period in 2024, showing a clear slowdown from the stronger growth rates seen earlier in the year.
The report noted that shipments from the top ten trading nations edged up 1.3% month-on-month, largely supported by Chinese cargo volumes. However, year-on-year, these same countries recorded a 9.4% decline, reflecting weaker demand and trade adjustments in key manufacturing regions.
On the port front, the U.S. West Coast’s market share of total imports increased slightly to 44.2%, while East and Gulf Coast ports saw their combined share slip to 40.7%. Port transit times also saw a mild uptick, with congestion levels rising modestly at major gateways.
Despite the overall flat performance, analysts point out that the current stability could mask growing caution among importers. Factors such as rising logistics costs, tariff uncertainties, and global trade volatility may continue to influence U.S. import patterns through the remainder of the year.
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Source: Descartes Systems Group
