September 2025 saw a significant drop in U.S. container imports, influenced by tariff volatility and trade tensions with China, amid broader signs of global shipping slowdown and supply chain resilience.
In September 2025, U.S. container imports experienced a notable decline, with volumes falling to 2,307,933 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), down 8.4% from August and 8.4% compared to the same month in 2024, according to the October Global Shipping Report released by...
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Descartes Systems Group. This decrease follows several months of heightened import activity, signalling a contraction influenced by both seasonal patterns and external trade pressures.
A significant factor impacting these trends has been the ongoing tariff volatility, particularly involving imports from China. September saw imports from China drop sharply to 762,772 TEUs, a decline of 12.3% month-over-month and a steep 22.9% year-over-year. This decline is attributed to multiple layers of trade uncertainty triggered by tariff policies, notably under the administration of former President Donald Trump. The report highlights that many of China’s leading import categories have suffered substantial setbacks, with some sectors such as aluminum shrinking by 43.8%, toys and sporting goods by 32.8%, and footwear by 33.9%. Other categories including electric machinery, apparel, iron or steel articles, and vehicles have also seen significant year-over-year reductions.
While imports from China are contracting, the broader picture of U.S. imports shows some resilience. Year-to-date figures reveal a 1.9% increase in total container volumes against the same period in 2024, suggesting that despite the September slump, overall import activity remains relatively robust. This resilience, however, coexists with increasing caution among importers. Jackson Wood, Director of Industry Strategy at Descartes, commented on the import contraction, noting, “September’s decline underscores the combined impact of seasonal softening and tariff-related caution. With the 90-day tariff truce between the two countries set to expire in mid-November, China’s share of U.S. imports remains sensitive to both policy outcomes and underlying market dynamics.”
Trade tensions have also shifted import patterns within Asia. While shipments from China declined, imports increased from countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and India, reflecting a strategic diversification in sourcing amid uncertainty. Nonetheless, overall trade growth in the region appears to be slowing, mirroring the global slowdown in shipping and trade activities.
This drop in import volume coincides with a sharp decline in ocean shipping rates. Industry reports indicate that container shipping rates have plummeted to their lowest levels since early 2024. For instance, the Drewry World Container Index fell significantly, with rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles dropping 58% year-over-year, signaling a challenging profitability environment for major carriers like Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd. Analysts link this rate decline to dampened demand due to tariff policies, frontloading of shipments ahead of tariff hikes, and increased shipping capacity. Experts warn of a potential repeat of past overcapacity crises, highlighting the fragility of the shipping market as it navigates reduced consumer demand and heightened economic uncertainty.
Despite these pressures, U.S. ports managed to process 2.31 million TEUs in September, marking the third-highest September on record, underscoring the underlying strength of American supply chains. Port transit times showed mixed improvements amidst the volume decline, suggesting that logistics infrastructure has been absorbing some of the shifting pressures effectively.
Looking ahead, the expiration of the tariff truce in mid-November introduces new uncertainty into trade relations and shipping patterns. The evolving landscape of tariffs, geopolitical tensions, and global supply chain disruptions continue to shape the dynamics of U.S. container imports. Industry professionals and policymakers alike are closely monitoring these developments to calibrate responses that could mitigate risks and support trade resilience as 2025 progresses.
Overall, while September’s data marks a clear slowdown in import volumes, particularly from China, the broader year-to-date performance signals persistent demand and adaptation within supply chains, even as the sector grapples with tariff-induced volatility and its cascading effects throughout global shipping networks.
Source: Noah Wire Services
