The Global Logistics Shipping Resource Center | Descartes
The Global Shipping Resource Center
Monthly Global Trade Insights
Stay informed with the latest insights from the Descartes Global Shipping Report. Access current data on global trade trends and explore our archive of past reports to track changes and developments in global shipping patterns over time.
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| Select year to toggle data./Month/In Millions | JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.07 | 1.79 | 1.78 | 1.92 | 2.09 | 1.96 | 2.20 | 2.14 | 2.04 | 2.07 | 1.90 | 1.90 | |
| 2.04 | 1.67 | 1.61 | 1.84 | 1.69 | 1.83 | 2.15 | 2.34 | 2.29 | 2.47 | 2.27 | 2.36 | |
| 2021 | 2.32 | 2.06 | 2.53 | 2.35 | 2.54 | 2.40 | 2.45 | 2.58 | 2.49 | 2.55 | 2.42 | 2.39 |
| 2022 | 2.47 | 2.31 | 2.56 | 2.46 | 2.62 | 2.48 | 2.53 | 2.53 | 2.22 | 2.22 | 1.95 | 1.93 |
| 2023 | 2.07 | 1.73 | 1.85 | 2.02 | 2.10 | 2.08 | 2.19 | 2.20 | 2.20 | 2.31 | 2.10 | 2.11 |
| 2024 | 2.27 | 2.14 | 2.15 | 2.21 | 2.35 | 2.30 | 2.56 | 2.48 | 2.52 | 2.49 | 2.37 | 2.37 |
| 2025 | 2.48 | 2.23 | 2.38 | 2.4 | 2.17 | 2.2 | 2.62 | 2.51 | 2.30 |
2019-2025 US CONTAINER IMPORT VOLUME (TEU)
Source: Descartes Datamyne™
Latest Edition
OCTOBER 2025
U.S. container imports declined in September 2025, though volume levels remained moderately resilient. China-origin shipments fell sharply, reflecting heightened sensitivity to tariff policy and ongoing economic uncertainty.
Archive
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
OCTOBER 2025
SEPTEMBER 2025
U.S. container imports eased slightly in August 2025 but remained strong, with China-origin volumes retreating as tariff pressures and global shipping risks sustained supply chain uncertainty.
AUGUST 2025
U.S. container imports surged in July 2025, nearing record highs as China-origin volumes rebounded sharply and shippers accelerated activity ahead of tightening tariff deadlines.
JULY 2025
U.S. container imports rebounded modestly in June 2025 as volumes stabilized under new tariff conditions, though China-origin shipments remained sharply down.
JUNE 2025
U.S. container imports declined in May 2025 as frontloading eased and trade policy changes began to weigh on volumes.
MAY 2025
U.S. container imports remained strong in April 2025, rising 1.2% over March and 9.1% year-over-year, despite escalating tariffs and growing geopolitical pressures.
APRIL 2025
U.S. container imports remained strong in March 2025, with volumes up 6.3% over February and 11% year-over-year, despite escalating tariffs.
MARCH 2025
In February 2025, U.S. imports dipped 10% but rose year-over-year, with tariffs and global risks adding uncertainty.
FEBRUARY 2025
U.S. container imports hit a January record of 2.49M TEUs in 2025, amid tariff shifts, including new 10% China tariffs and delayed Mexico-Canada tariffs.
JANUARY 2025
The Descartes January 2025 update of logistics metrics show that in December 2024, U.S. container imports hit 2.37M TEUs, down only 0.1% from November.
DECEMBER 2024
The Descartes November 2024 update of logistics metrics show that in November 2024, U.S. container imports dipped below 2.4M TEUs, down 5% from October.
NOVEMBER 2024
The Descartes November 2024 update of logistics metrics show that in October 2024, U.S. container import volumes remain above 2.4M TEUs for the fourth straight month.
OCTOBER 2024
The Descartes October 2024 update of logistics metrics show that in September 2024, U.S. container import volume was 2.5M TEUs, marking the third straight month of high volumes, despite global supply chain challenges.
SEPTEMBER 2024
The Descartes September 2024 update of logistics metrics show that in August 2024, U.S. container import volumes dipped below July’s historic highs while remaining above 2.4M TEUs.
AUGUST 2024
The Descartes August 2024 update of logistics metrics show that in July 2024, U.S. container import volumes reached the third highest monthly volume on record.
JULY 2024
The Descartes July 2024 update of logistics metrics show that in June 2024, U.S. container import volumes declined 2.1% from May 2024 while gaining 10.4% compared to the same month last year, continue a trend of import growth in 2024 when compared to 2023.
JUNE 2024
U.S. container import volumes continue to show robust growth in May 2024 compared to the same time last year, while port transit delays continue to improve across the board. Despite strong U.S. imports performance, the logistics metrics Descartes is tracking shows signs that global supply chain risks remain high due to Panama and Suez canal issues, labor negotiations, and geopolitical conflict. Read the article for more.
MAY 2024
The Descartes May 2024 update of logistics metrics show that in April 2024, U.S. container import volumes grew 3.0% from March 2024 while gaining 9.3% compared to the same month last year, proving that the economy remains strong in the face of global instability.
APRIL 2024
The Descartes April 2024 update of logistics metrics show that in March 2024, U.S. container import volumes increased 0.4% from February, but jumped 15.7% when compared to the same month last year, indicating exceptional performance for the first quarter of the year.
MARCH 2024
February import volume shrank by 6% from the month before, but it was higher by 23% year on year. The trendlines are hard to decipher, but Descartes analysis factored in the Chinese Lunar New Year and determined growth was more likely to be 13%.
FEBUARY 2024
The Descartes February 2024 update of logistics metrics show that in January 2024, Chinese imports drove considerable growth in U.S. container import volumes. Growing by 7.9% from December 2023, this is the largest month-to-month growth for January in the past 7 years.
JANUARY 2024
The Descartes January 2024 update of logistics metrics shows that in December 2023, U.S. import volume increased slightly from November, with regional variations and port delays at Gulf Coast ports. 2024 faces headwinds in the face of upcoming labor negotiations and persistent conditions at the Panama and Suez Canals.
DECEMBER 2023
The Descartes December 2023 update of logistics metrics shows that in November 2023, U.S. container import volume decreased 9% from October 2023, with East and Gulf Coast ports experiencing the greatest declines.
NOVEMBER 2023
U.S. import volumes rose in October 2023 for the second straight month, further diverging from the pre-pandemic trend followed for most of this year.
OCTOBER 2023
The October 2023 update of the logistics metrics Descartes is tracking shows some deviation from 2019 results. September 2023 import volumes broke the trend of importers winding down shipment volumes for the remainder of the year and had a modest increase over August 2023.
SEPTEMBER 2023
U.S. container import volumes show a very modest increase in August 2023 compared to July, while port transit times remained close to their lowest levels since the pandemic. The September update of the logistics metrics Descartes is tracking shows signs that key challenges to the global supply chain have stabilized.
AUGUST 2023
Compared to June 2023, U.S. container import volumes increased by 5.1%. But despite this rise, port transit times remained close to their lowest levels since Descartes began tracking them.
JULY 2023
Mexico has moved to the forefront of global sourcing conversations. How far they come in this round of trade shifts as a top country of origin for the U.S. and how are Chinese goods supporting that growth?
JULY 2023
U.S. container import volumes decreased slightly compared to May 2023, though volumes were higher than pre-pandemic 2019. Port transit times decreased to the lowest levels since Descartes began tracking them.
JUNE 2023
Many companies have announced plans to find additional or alternate sources to China, but it remains the dominant non-North American trading partner with the U.S. So where are U.S. importers finding alternate sources for their goods and how far have efforts progressed?
JUNE 2023
U.S. container import volumes kept pace with pre-pandemic 2019 volumes, while port transit times increased, returning to early 2023 levels.
MAY 2023
U.S. container import volumes in April 2023 increased significantly from March 2023, while delays were reduced significantly at major ports.
APRIL 2023
Shifts in TEU import volumes from West Coast ports have been top of mind with the protracted ILWU contract negotiations. See how much volume shifted and where it went.
APRIL 2023
U.S. container import volumes in March 2023 increased significantly from February 2023, which kept the trendline aligned with pre-pandemic 2019 volumes.
MARCH 2023
U.S. container import volumes dropped 25% in February year-on-year but the metrics continue to point to supply chain challenges ahead.
FEBRUARY 2023
U.S. container import volumes in January 2023 increased and so did their alignment with 2019 volumes, continuing to point to challenging global supply chain performance in 2023.
JANUARY 2023
U.S. container import volumes in December 2022 continued to close in on 2019 volumes. Port delays, meanwhile, continued to improve.
DECEMBER 2022
U.S. container import volumes in November declined close to volumes in November 2019. Port delays, meanwhile, continued to improve, especially for West Coast ports as their import volumes are down significantly versus 2021.
NOVEMBER 2022
U.S. container import volumes in October were consistent with September while delays at most ports continued to decline.
OCTOBER 2022
Import volumes dipped closer to pre-pandemic levels, but delays remained high, especially at East and Gulf Coast ports.
SEPTEMBER 2022
The monthly record-setting streak that U.S. container import volumes have been posting since mid-2020 came to an end this August.
AUGUST 2022
Import volumes in July 2022 remained high as increased throughput from China put pressure on supply chain predictability
JULY 2022
U.S. container import volume stayed in record territory in June 2022. Managing supply chain risk remained a challenge, especially amid signs of increased port congestion & delays
JUNE 2022
Container shipments into the U.S. hit a new all-time high in May 2022, making the task of managing supply chain risk much more complicated to navigate.
MAY 2022
COVID-related shutdowns in China continue to spread, but do not appear to be having an impact on overall U.S. container import volumes.
APRIL 2022
March 2022 experienced another year-over-year record in container import volume versus 2021, as the shift of volume away from the major West Coast ports reversed itself.
MARCH 2022
The global shipping crisis carried over into another month, as February 2022 started with record year-over-year container import volumes versus 2021.
FEBRUARY 2022
There was no break in the Global Shipping Crisis as January 2022 started with record year-over-year container import volumes versus 2021.
JANUARY 2022
The new year sees continued port delays as U.S. import volumes remain at record highs.
DECEMBER 2021
November import volumes remain at records highs and port delays continue. Are new and even greater disruptions on the horizon?
NOVEMBER 2021
Through October, U.S. import volumes remain at record highs - forcing importers to take steps to mitigate the impact of international shipping delays
OCTOBER 2021
As we enter the peak shipping season, the Global Shipping Crisis is preventing retailers from having adequate inventory and forcing shoppers to face empty shelves.
SEPTEMBER 2021
A shift in how American's are spending their disposable income is having a major impact on import volumes and prolonging the Global Shipping Crisis
AUGUST 2021
Descartes' Chris Jones shares insights into the origins of the Global Shipping Crisis and offers strategies on how to handle supply chain disruptions
Special Reports
2024 Big Book of U.S. Commodity Imports
The 2024 U.S. Imports “Big Book” captures U.S. imports from the year ending March 2024. Highlighting trade trends, this report provides robust analysis of value and volume of U.S. imports that serve as key indicators of shifting supply and demand.
Download the Big Book of U.S. Commodity Imports
Top 30 U.S. Port Report
Stay informed with the annual U.S. Port Report from Descartes, ranking 2024 Maritime Port performance and trends in a year that defied expectations.
Download the 2024 Top 30 U.S. Port Report
Media Coverage
Explore how major media outlets worldwide trust the Descartes Global Shipping Report for valuable maritime trade insights.
US Container Imports Drop in September as Trump Tariffs Disrupt Global Trade
U.S. imports of containerized goods in September fell 8.4% from the year earlier, including a 22.9% drop in goods from China, amid ongoing trade ructions from President Donald Trump's tariff policies.
Tariffs Cause Some China Imports to Crash 44% in September
Container imports through U.S. maritime gateways in September declined 8.4% from August to more than 2.3 million, the third-highest September on record and 1.9% ahead of the same period in 2024.
Chinese Imports Tumble as 90-day Tariff Truce Will Expire Mid-November
Container import volumes arriving at U.S. ports contracted in September amid continuing tariff uncertainty.
Forging China's Shipbuilding Behemoth; Companies Scramble For U.S. Minerals
Container imports into U.S. ports in July, in 20-foot equivalent units, 18.2% greater than June volume and 2.6% higher than the year-ago level for the second highest month on record.
U.S. Container Imports Near Record High as Tariff Deadlines Drive Surge
U.S. container imports jumped to their second-highest level on record in July 2025, with volumes reaching 2.62 million TEUs—just 555 containers short of the May 2022 peak
U.S. Container Imports in July 2025 Approached Record High
The US imported 2,621,910 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in July 2025, marking an 18.2% rise from June and nearing the all-time high that was set in May 2022.
U.S. Import Boom Faces Reversal Amid Tariff Escalation
March container imports rose 11% year-over-year, but escalating tariffs threaten a sharp decline in volumes later this year.
Shipping Industry Grapples with Trade War Uncertainty
As tariffs rise to 145% on Chinese goods, carriers cancel sailings and major retailers brace for supply chain disruptions.
Container Imports Surge Amid Tariff Concerns
U.S. ports see a spike in imports as companies expedite shipments ahead of anticipated tariff increases.
U.S. Container Import at Near-record Level in February, Tariff Risks Loom
Import volumes increased 4.7% year-on-year in February, but could cool as trade war with China and other key trading partners takes hold.
U.S. Container Imports Slump 10% in February
Month-over-month results were expected to be smaller as February was a shorter with fewer days and the traditional seasonal decline
U.S. Container Imports Approach Record Levels Amid Trade Tensions
U.S. container import volumes surged by 4.7% year-on-year as of February, with over 2.2 million TEUs.
Steeling for Tariffs; America’s Arctic Ambitions in the Deep Freeze
U.S. container imports hit 2.487 million in January, a 5.1% rise from December, setting a new record for the month.
Record January Imports Ahead of Uncertainty
U.S. container imports hit a record 2.49 million TEUs in January, driven by trade policy shifts, rising Chinese shipments, and a late Lunar New Year.
US imports hit record high for the month of January U.S. container imports reached record levels in January, fueled by rising Chinese shipments, trade policy uncertainty, and seasonal shipping trends.
US importers Rush in Goods from China as Trump Tariff Threat Looms U.S. imports from China surged as companies stockpiled goods before Trump’s potential tariffs sparked a trade war.
Supply Chain Leaders See Technology as Key to Growth in Complex Trade Environment Supply chain leaders view technology as fundamental to their growth strategy in the face of rising global trade challenges.
China Boosts U.S. Ocean Imports Shipments from China boosted U.S. containerized imports above 2.4 million TEUs for the fourth straight month.
US Container Imports Stay Solid Heading Into Dockworkers Strike
US container imports stayed elevated in September near pandemic-era peaks, fueled by goods from China and worries about a strike by longshoremen, new figures showed.
Surge of Imports to US Continues as Possible East Coast Port Strike Looms
U.S. retailers rush in seasonal goods to mitigate ILA strike disruptions.
US retailers rush holiday imports, fearing strikes and disruptions Retailers are fueling a summer rush of imports to the US this year, citing potential work strikes and ongoing shipping disruptions.
U.S. Container Imports Reach Record Levels in July July container volumes into the U.S. were only surpassed by peak volumes during the pandemic surge in May and March 2022.
Singapore port congestion and Red Sea attacks
Congestion at Singapore's container port is at its worst since the COVID-19 pandemic
US Imports Drive Increased Market Trading Rising US imports are driving increased activity in the US container trading market.
Late Lunar New Year Boosts February Cargo Volumes
February import volumes exceed expectations, elevated by China’s late break in manufacturing during the 2024 Lunar New Year.
Liner execs downplay Red Sea upside, punishing their own shares Disruptions and the Panama Canal and in the Red Sea are dramatically increasing shipping distances.
Logistics Operators See a Shipping-Market Rebound Demand is growing, and freight rates are rising in a sign retailers are restocking inventories again.
U.S. Container Imports Show Modest Increase to Close Out 2023 U.S. container import volume was up nearly 10% in December compared to the same month last year.
US holiday retailers importing like it is 2019 After a spending spree on goods that began during early COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, U.S. consumer patterns are normalizing.
US West Coast ports gained market share in August after labor deal -report U.S. West Coast ports, which reached a labor deal with their workers this summer, gained market share in August from the previous month, while their main rivals on the East Coast lost ground.
US West Coast ports regain lost volume as competitive pressure mounts Some U.S. importers who shifted cargo away from West Coast ports to rival gateways over fears that labor contract talks could disrupt shipments have begun bringing some of that volume back.
Can U.S. West Coast ports get back lost TEU import volume market share? Marketplace picks up on an analysis by Descartes which shows that significant TEU volume has shifted to East and Gulf Coast ports.
3 Ways Descartes’ Global Shipping Report Helps Companies Make Better Logistics Decisions Chris Jones, EVP of Industry and Services for Descartes, explains the value of looking beyond one’s supply chain to better understand how commodities and freight flow.
Global Shipping Update: Modicum of Relief as Import Volumes Fall in Line with 2019 Levels With the second quarter of 2023 on the horizon, importers and logistics service providers (LSPs) are wondering what lies ahead.
U.S. imports of containerized goods retreat to pre-pandemic level U.S. imports of goods in ocean shipping containers in December fell to levels approaching those last seen before the COVID-19 pandemic, a new report said on Tuesday.
Imports Into Southern California’s Ports Plunged 26% in October Port of Los Angeles executive director says protracted contract negotiations are pushing importers to Gulf and East Coast gateways.
Freight Operators’ Peak Shipping Season Is Crumbling With retailers overstocked and shipping demand receding, clouds are gathering over U.S. supply chains just as demand should be growing.
US imports sink in September, suffer steepest drop since 2020 lockdowns Demand for Asian goods began dropping earlier this year. This is now having a delayed — and highly negative — effect on U.S. imports.
Why the Global Shipping Crisis Isn’t Going Away Anytime Soon Supply chain issues continue to plague the industry, while persistent inflation and conflict abroad could create additional market chaos. Here's what it means for distributors.
Global Shipping Woes: The Saga Continues As 2022 unfolds, the pandemic-driven supply chain crunch is showing little sign of relenting.
Global Shipping Crisis: No Quick Fix With spring only a short time away, the shipping and logistics crisis continues to wreak havoc throughout the global supply chain.
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