Although January imports declined due to shippers front-loading cargo to avoid tariffs, the Port of Long Beach remains the busiest in the US, showcasing resilience amid ongoing trade policy ambiguities and shifting freight trends.
Imports through the Port of Long Beach slipped in January as shippers pulled some freight forward in the previous year to beat tariff changes, yet the California gateway retained its position as the nation’s busiest container port.
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rt data show loaded import boxes fell 13.1% year‑on‑year to 409,818 twenty‑foot equivalent units (TEUs) in January, while total throughput for the month was 847,765 TEUs, an 11% decline from January 2025. Export volume was largely unchanged at 99,478 TEUs and empty container movements dropped 11.5% to 338,470 TEUs. According to TTNews, CEO Noel Hacegaba told reporters the port nonetheless led U.S. activity last month, outpacing the neighbouring Port of Los Angeles.
“Our strong cargo volumes do not suggest we are not being affected by tariffs,” Hacegaba said on Feb. 25, while noting steep year‑over‑year reductions in specific commodity categories: iron and steel tonnage down about 32%, toys and sports equipment off 15%, synthetic fibres down 43%, and salt, sulfur and cement down 21%.
The January slowdown follows an exceptionally busy start to 2025. Industry publications recorded that the Port of Long Beach handled a record 952,733 TEUs in January 2025 , a 41.4% jump on the prior year , as retailers accelerated imports amid expectations of higher duties. PortTechnology, Container‑News and AJOT reported that imports, exports and empty container flows all surged in that earlier month as businesses sought to move merchandise ahead of tariff changes.
Trade policy uncertainty has added to recent volatility. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Feb. 25 it could take “a couple months” for the administration to re‑establish the previous tariff framework after a Supreme Court ruling struck down a key element of the president’s global tariff plan. A 10% worldwide levy took effect on Feb. 24, and officials have provided limited detail about how or when the duty might be raised to 15% while maintaining exemptions for major trading partners, prolonging ambiguity for importers and ports alike.
Longer term context underscores the sector’s sensitivity to macroeconomic and policy swings. Data from Furniture Today show the port can also experience sharp downturns in weak demand cycles: January 2023 volumes fell dramatically compared with prior years amid softer consumer spending and higher prices.
Port officials have framed the recent month’s figures as evidence of underlying resilience. According to PortTechnology, Dr Noel Hacegaba emphasised the facility’s capacity and infrastructure to keep goods moving despite the uncertain trade backdrop. Industry analysts say the coming months will be shaped by how quickly trade policy is clarified and by shifting retailer inventory strategies, factors likely to determine whether throughput rebounds toward last year’s record levels or cools further.
Source: Noah Wire Services
