- U.S. container imports rose 1.8% in June 2025, signaling stabilization after May’s sharp drop.
- Imports from China remained nearly flat month-over-month but declined 28.3% year-over-year.
- China’s share of U.S. imports fell to a four-year low, while Southeast Asian nations showed strong growth.
- Ongoing policy shifts and upcoming trade deadlines are pushing importers to diversify and strengthen supply chains.
U.S. container import volumes saw a slight rebound in June 2025, increasing by 1.8% following a significant 9.7% drop in May. While imports from China remained nearly unchanged month-over-month, they were notably lower than the same period last year. West Coast ports reclaimed market share dominance over East and Gulf Coast ports, reflecting ongoing shifts in port activity. Transit time delays also showed marked improvement, particularly at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, offering some relief to supply chain operations. These insights were shared in a recent update by the American Journal of Transportation.
U.S. Container Imports Show Modest Recovery as Trade Pressures Persist
U.S. container import volumes reached 2,217,675 TEUs in June 2025, marking a slight 1.8% increase from May’s sharp decline. Though volumes were down 3.5% year-over-year, they remained 12.9% higher than in June 2019, reflecting a stable underlying demand despite global trade uncertainties. This modest rebound suggests that U.S. importers are gradually adjusting their supply chain strategies to navigate continued volatility. Over the first half of 2025, total imports rose 3.8% compared to the same period in 2024, though the pace of growth has slowed.
Imports from China edged up by 0.4% in June, totaling 639,300 TEUs. However, this figure represents a steep 28.3% decline from June 2024. China’s share of total U.S. containerized imports also dropped to 28.8%—its lowest in four years—falling significantly from the peak of 41.5% seen in February 2022. In contrast, several Southeast Asian countries showed strong month-over-month growth. Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, and Italy recorded gains of 7.7%, 17.3%, 8.6%, and 9.0%, respectively, indicating a continued shift toward more diversified sourcing.
According to Jackson Wood, Director of Industry Strategy at Descartes, the impact of U.S. policy adjustments—especially concerning China—is becoming increasingly evident. He noted that upcoming trade deadlines, including the July 9 end of the pause on Liberation Day tariffs and the August 10 expiration of the U.S.–China trade truce, could drive further adjustments as companies look to strengthen supply chain resilience amid a rapidly evolving trade environment.
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Source: American Journal of Transportation
