US container imports rise in July despite ongoing trade uncertainty

U.S. containerized imports increased in July despite continued geopolitical and trade policy uncertainty, according to the latest Global Shipping Report from Descartes. Seasonal demand supported higher cargo volumes, while disruptions in the Middle East, new U.S. tariffs, Panama Canal restrictions and the Red Sea crisis continued to shape global supply chains.

Descartes reported that U.S. container imports reached 2,508,310 TEUs in July, up 4.5% from June. However, volumes remained 4.3% below July 2025, when importers accelerated shipments ahead of expected trade policy changes. During the first seven months of 2026, total imports were down 0.9% year-on-year but remained well above pre-pandemic levels.

China remained the largest source of U.S. imports. Shipments from China climbed 7.2% month-on-month to 873,129 TEUs, the highest monthly level since July 2025. China’s share of total U.S. container imports also increased to 34.8%, reflecting stronger seasonal demand across both consumer and industrial goods.

Imports from the top 10 sourcing countries rose 4.9% compared with June. China recorded the largest increase, followed by Hong Kong, Germany, Japan, South Korea and India. Indonesia and Taiwan were the only major sourcing countries to report month-on-month declines.

US ports see mixed performance

Container volumes across the top 10 U.S. ports increased by more than 102,000 TEUs in July. Long Beach posted the largest monthly gain, with volumes rising 15.8%, while Houston recorded a 19.9% increase. Savannah, Norfolk, Charleston and Oakland also handled more cargo than in June.

Los Angeles, New York/Newark and Tacoma recorded lower import volumes during the month. Overall, West Coast ports increased their share of total U.S. imports to 45%, while East and Gulf Coast ports accounted for 39.8%.

Port transit times increased across most major gateways as seasonal volumes strengthened. Long Beach recorded the sharpest increase in delays, while Los Angeles was the only major port to report a significant improvement, reducing average transit delays from 5.8 days to 1.8 days. Gulf Coast imports also rebounded, rising 13.8% from June to exceed their 12-month rolling average.

Geopolitical risks continue to weigh on supply chains

Descartes said supply chains continue to face several external risks. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains heavily disrupted despite diplomatic discussions between Iran and Oman. At the same time, new U.S. tariffs, tighter Panama Canal draft restrictions and continued Red Sea diversions are increasing transportation costs, reducing schedule reliability and creating additional uncertainty for importers.

Jackson Wood, Director of Industry Strategy at Descartes, said July’s results show that demand remains resilient despite a challenging operating environment. He noted that flexible sourcing and routing strategies will help importers respond more effectively as geopolitical risks and trade policies continue to evolve.

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