- U.S. Container Imports Drop Nearly 8% in November on Weak China Demand.
- November U.S. Container Volumes Decline as Importers Turn Cautious.
- Tariff Uncertainty and China Slowdown Push U.S. Imports Lower in November.
U.S. container imports took a dip of 7.8% in November compared to the same month last year. This decline was largely due to a drop in demand for goods from China and the fact that there was one less working day during the Thanksgiving holiday month, as reported by the supply chain technology firm Descartes Systems Group. During November, seaports managed to handle 2,183,048 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of imports, which is typical for this seasonal slowdown, reports Reuters.
Still a Historically Strong November
Even with the year-over-year drop, November 2025 still stands out as the fourth-strongest November on record for U.S. container imports. The volumes were only surpassed by those in 2020, 2021, and 2024, despite the ongoing uncertainty in trade policies and broader economic worries affecting importer confidence.
Sharp Drop in Imports from China
Imports from China saw a significant decline of 19.7% year over year in November, making it the main factor behind the overall drop in U.S. container volumes. This slowdown underscores the weakening demand for Chinese goods as companies adjust their sourcing strategies and navigate tariff-related uncertainties.
Full-Year Growth Flattens After Strong Start
For the first 11 months of 2025, U.S. container import volumes were just 0.1% higher than in 2024. This represents a stark slowdown from the nearly 10% growth seen earlier in the year, indicating a cooling demand and more cautious ordering practices, according to Descartes.
Tariff Environment Fuels Importer Caution
“Beyond seasonal factors, November’s decline in U.S. container import volumes may also reflect ongoing importer caution amid a dynamic tariff backdrop,” said Jackson Wood, director of industry strategy at Descartes.
Trade uncertainty has intensified under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has introduced and paused tariffs on key trading partners including China, Mexico, and Canada.
Legal Uncertainty Clouds Trade Outlook
The U.S. Supreme Court is currently deliberating on Trump’s request for broad authority to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), similar to actions taken this year. Legal experts suggest that if the administration loses this case, it might try to reinstate any affected tariffs through other trade authorities.
Retailers Well-Stocked but Looking Ahead with Caution
“Stores are stocked up and ready for a record holiday season, but there is still a great deal of uncertainty about what will happen in 2026 with trade policy,” said Jonathan Gold, vice president for supply chain and customs policy for the National Retail Federation.
Weaker Cargo Demand Expected Into 2026
“We are seeing the results of the tariffs in weakening cargo demand going forward from the fourth quarter of this year and likely into the first half of next year,” said Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett.
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Source: Reuters
