Descartes data shows a decline in US container imports amid Middle East shipping disruptions and ongoing trade policy uncertainties.
US container imports totaled 2.28 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in April, marking a 5.5% year-over-year decline. The drop reflects ongoing trade tensions, Middle East shipping route instability, and tariff-related uncertainties affecting global supply chains.
Despite the annual decrease, April volumes remained 18.7% higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2019. China-origin imports fell 15.3% year-over-year to 680,778 TEUs, while other key trading partners like Japan and South Korea saw gains. West Coast ports regained market share as transit times improved following earlier disruptions.
Shipping costs and transit durations rose due to rerouted shipments around the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz. Tariff policies, including Section 122 measures, remain unresolved, adding to trade policy risks for importers.