Amid persistent trade tensions brought on by President Donald Trump's tariff policies, US imports of containerised products in September decreased 8.4% from the same month last year, including a 22.9% decline in items from China, according to data released on Thursday.
According to supply chain technology and analytics supplier Descartes, U.S. seaports handled 2.31 million 20 foot equivalent units (TEUs) of container cargo last month, which was a decrease from the previous year but still the third highest September volume on record.According to the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates, the monthly import cargo volume at the country's major container ports is expected to drop below the 2 million TEU mark for the rest of the year because most holiday merchandise is delivered earlier than usual and tariffs are still rising.
"Retailers front loading imports before reciprocal tariffs went into effect are largely to blame for this year's peak season coming and going," said Jonathan Gold, vice president for supply chain and customs policy at NRF.
According to NRF, additional duties, including a 25% charge on upholstered furniture regardless of nation and a similar tax on kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities, will go into force next week and rise in January.
Unless an agreement is struck or Trump chooses to postpone it further, a tariff increase on Chinese goods that was postponed by 90 days in August is also set for November 10.
Ben Hackett, the founder of Hackett Associates, stated that "significant economic uncertainty is being created by ongoing volatility in U.S. tariff policy."
The Drewry East West Contract Rate Index, which averages contract rates paid by over 100 multinational shippers, including Walmart, on 17 key ocean routes, decreased 3% in the 12 months ending in September, marking the first year over year decline since July 2024. This decline reflects market demand.
Unprecedented tariff demands have, in fact, largely had little effect on U.S. imports.
Volume through September of this year was 1.9% more than it was at the same time in 2024.
