Record January Imports Ahead of New Tariffs
U.S. container imports hit a record 2,487,470 TEUs in January 2025, surpassing the January 2022 high by 21,455 TEUs.
U.S. container imports hit a record 2,487,470 TEUs in January 2025, surpassing the January 2022 high by 21,455 TEUs. This increase came amidst tariff volatility, including a new 10% tariff on Chinese goods and a pause on 25% tariffs for Mexico and Canada.
Imports from China grew 10.6% from December to 997,909 TEUs, just shy of the July 2024 peak. Year-over-year, China imports rose 10.2%. However, new tariffs and the Chinese New Year could disrupt trade.
The February logistics update from Descartes highlighted a strong 2025 start but warned of risks from trade policy tensions and geopolitical instability. U.S. importers face higher costs due to evolving tariffs, potentially impacting global trade.
January imports saw a 9.4% year-over-year increase. The top 10 U.S. ports saw an 8.3% rise in container volumes. Long Beach, New York/New Jersey, and Seattle led the growth.
Imports from China rose 10.6%, with a 10.2% year-over-year increase, driven by pre-tariff preparations and the Chinese New Year. China accounted for 40.1% of total U.S. container imports.
