U.S. Container Import Volumes Drop in May Led by Sharp Decline in Imports from China

U.S. container import volumes retreat as tariff impacts emerge.

In May 2025, U.S. container import volumes declined to 2,177,453 TEUs — a 9.7% drop from April (see Figure 1). Year-over-year, volumes were down 7.2% compared to May 2024 but 4.3% above May 2019, signaling that overall demand remains elevated versus pre-pandemic norms. Despite strong early-year performance, the May decline marks the first significant contraction reflecting the impact of tariff volatility and growing trade pressures. Cumulatively, total imports for the first five months of the year are up 5.3% compared to the same period in 2024, though the gap has narrowed as evolving trade policies reshape global trade flows.

Figure 1: U.S. Container Import Volume Year-over-Year Comparison

Historically, May is a month of rising import volumes over April; however, 2025 is the only year in the past seven to post a month-over-month decrease (9.7%), apart from pandemic 2020 (8.2%) (see Figure 2). The drop reflects the import slowdown after April frontloading of shipments, the impact of the 145% U.S. tariff on many Chinese goods, as well as the May 2 expiration of the de minimis exemption. 

Figure 2: April to May U.S. Container Import Volume Comparison

U.S. imports from China fall sharply in May as tariffs affect volumes.

The effects of U.S. policy shifts with China are now clearly visible in monthly trade flows, as U.S. imports from China fell to 637,001 TEUs in May 2025, a drop of 20.8% from April and 28.5% year-over-year (see Figure 3). In addition, China’s share of total U.S. containerized imports fell to 29.3% in May, its lowest level in over two years, though it remains the leading U.S. maritime trade partner. The steep decline in volume and share reflects the impact of the 145% tariff implemented on April 9. Although a 90-day U.S.–China agreement took effect on May 14 — lowering tariffs on Chinese imports to 30% through mid-August — the sharp drop in May volumes likely reflects a pause in ordering and shipment activity as businesses reassess sourcing strategies under new cost structures. 

China-origin imports may continue to soften in the months ahead as importers reassess sourcing strategies amid rising landed costs. In addition, although the full duty exemption under the de minimis threshold has ended, the regulation remains in place: as of May 14, 2025, low-value imports are subject to revised tariffs, including a reduced 54% ad valorem rate and a retained $100 per-package fee for postal shipments — increases that may also contribute to softening volumes.

Figure 3: May 2024–May 2025 Comparison of U.S. Total and Chinese TEU Container Volume Relative to Chinese Import Record

At the port level, China-origin imports declined sharply in May across nearly all major U.S. gateways (see Figure 4). Long Beach and Los Angeles experienced the steepest drops, down 31.6% and 29.9%, respectively, accounting for a combined loss of nearly 129,000 TEUs. Other West Coast ports such as Tacoma (down 43.6%) and Seattle (down 39.2%) also posted significant declines. Among East and Gulf Coast ports, the decreases were more moderate — New York/Newark dropped 2.2%, Savannah 1.5%, and Charleston 4.1%. The overall month-over-month decline in China-origin volume at top ports highlights the broad pullback following frontloading activity earlier in the year, with West Coast ports bearing the brunt as trans-Pacific flows contracted most severely.

Figure 4: April 2025 to May 2025 Comparison of top U.S. Ports for Imports Originating from China

U.S. imports from the top 10 countries of origin decline sharply in May.

U.S. containerized imports from the top 10 countries of origin (CoO) fell by 192,313 TEUs in May 2025, a decline of 11.4% from April (see Figure 5). The largest drop came from China, which decreased by over 167,000 TEUs (-20.8%) following the implementation of steep U.S. tariffs. Several other countries also saw notable declines, including Italy (-23.1%), Hong Kong
(-14.4%), and Thailand (-11.8%). Despite the overall downturn, some countries posted modest gains: India rose 5.7%, South Korea 4.9%, and Vietnam 2.3%, potentially suggesting early signs of trade volume shifting away from China.

Figure 5: April 2025 to May 2025 Comparison of U.S. Import Volumes from Top 10 Countries of Origin

Year-over-year CoO trends show deepening decline from China, continued growth from Southeast Asia.

Comparing year-over-year U.S. volumes from the top 10 CoOs, imports from China fell by 28.5% compared to May 2024 — a loss of over 253,000 TEUs that drove a broader 12.1% decline in total TEUs (see Figure 6). Meanwhile, Vietnam posted the largest gain (up 18.1%), followed by India (up 10.4%) and Thailand (up 11.1%). Taiwan also rose 4.4%. In contrast, shipments declined from Hong Kong (down 10.3%), Italy (down 8.2%), and Germany (down 5.6%), while volumes from Japan and South Korea remained relatively flat. The data may reflect adjustments in supply chains as U.S. importers respond to tariff pressures and geopolitical uncertainty.

Figure 6: May 2024 to May 2025 Comparison of U.S. Import Volumes from Top 10 Countries of Origin

Managing supply chain risk: What to watch in 2025.

In May 2025, U.S. container imports declined sharply led by a 20.8% drop in imports from China. While an agreement between the two countries to lower tariffs may bring U.S. importers short-term relief, uncertainty remains over whether the deal will hold. The expiration of the de minimis exemption for low-value Chinese imports continues to add cost and compliance pressures, particularly in ecommerce. At the same time, instability in the Red Sea continues and, in Eastern Europe, persistent conflict and sanctions are also straining key trade lanes. With tariffs fluctuating, geopolitical tensions unresolved, and supply chain vulnerabilities mounting, businesses face elevated risk and must remain agile.

Jackson Wood is Director, Industry Strategy at Descartes. To learn more about the key economic and logistics factors driving global shipping, and review strategies to help address challenges in the near-, short- and long-term, visit Descartes’ Global Shipping Resource Center.

Notes:
1. U.S. tariff rates cited in this report were current as of 4pm ET on June 6, 2025.
2. This report uses the initial compiled release of publicly available U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Bill of Lading (BOL) data for all U.S. ports, which provides a standard, official source of data for reporting on maritime trade. This data can be subject to modification later by CBP. The modified data can be seen in Descartes Datamyne™ where U.S. maritime records are processed daily. Descartes Datamyne is ISO 9001 certified.
3. In Descartes Datamyne™, twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) are calculated using a combination of container size and weight as declared on Bills of Lading filed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).