US imports of containerized goods fell 8.4% in September compared to the same month last year, including a sharp 22.9% drop in shipments from China, as trade tensions and tariffs continue to affect supply chains, according to data released Thursday.
US seaports handled 2.31 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of container cargo last month, marking the third-highest September volume on record, despite the year-on-year decline, according to supply chain technology provider Descartes.
Industry analysts expect monthly import volumes at major US ports to fall below the 2 million TEU mark for the remainder of the year, citing earlier delivery of holiday merchandise and rising tariffs. “This year’s peak season has come and gone, largely due to retailers frontloading imports ahead of reciprocal tariffs taking effect,” said Jonathan Gold, vice president for supply chain and customs policy at the National Retail Federation (NRF).
New tariffs – including 25% on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and bathroom vanities – are set to take effect next week and will rise further in January, NRF said. A tariff increase on imports from China, previously delayed by 90 days, is scheduled for November 10 unless a deal is reached or another delay is announced.
“Ongoing volatility in US tariff policy is creating significant economic uncertainty,” said Ben Hackett, founder of Hackett Associates. Reflecting market demand, the Drewry East-West Contract Rate Index – which tracks contract shipping rates on 17 major ocean routes for over 100 multinational shippers, including Walmart – fell 3% in the year to September, the first annual drop since July 2024.
Despite these pressures, US imports have remained resilient. Year-to-date volumes through September were 1.9% higher than the same period in 2024. However, China’s share of total US imports declined to 33% in September from 34.5% in August. Imports from China fell to 762,772 TEUs, with aluminum, footwear, and electrical machinery experiencing the steepest declines. Toys, sporting goods, apparel, and footwear also saw reduced shipments, reversing a short-lived rebound in July and August.
Imports from South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Germany, and Italy also recorded year-over-year declines. Meanwhile, Southeast and South Asian nations gained market share, with Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and India seeing increased shipments. Month-over-month data, however, showed a broad slowdown in Asian trade momentum.
The data underscores how sensitive US importers are to tariff policies, highlighting both the challenges and adaptability of global supply chains in the current trade environment.
