In its May Global Shipping Report, Descartes showed that total imports reached 2.28 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) for the month, down 5.5% year-over-year.
However, volumes remained 18.7% higher than in April 2019, suggesting continued demand despite complex global trading conditions.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
China-origin container imports saw a drop to 680,778 TEUs in April, representing a 4.3% fall month-on-month and a 15.3% decline year-on-year. This has also down more than a third on the peak seen in July 2024.
Imports from other key countries of origin showed mixed results with Japan, Thailand, Indonesia and South Korea seeing gains, while declines from China, Vietnam, India, Germany, Hong Kong and Italy drove an overall decrease in imports from the top 10 countries by 3.1% or 50,149 TEUs.
Ports in the West Coast recovered some market share from East and Gulf Coast ports, and port transit times improved in April following earlier disruptions.
However, major shipping routes in the Middle East, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, continued to experience instability, leading to rerouted shipments, prolonged transit durations, and increased transportation costs.
The broader trade environment was also influenced by ongoing US tariff measures, with Section 122 tariffs remaining in effect and refunds scheduled to start on 12 May 2026.
The outlook for future tariff policies remains “unresolved”, as does the status of US trade relations with the EU, India, and China.
In the year-to-date, US import levels are 5% below those seen in 2025. In April, volumes were 5.5% lower year-on-year.
The data indicates that trade and geopolitical issues are contributing to a volatile shipping environment characterised by cost pressures and dynamic sourcing strategies.
Descartes Industry Strategy director Jackson Wood said: “So far in 2026, US maritime import volumes have remained relatively resilient despite ongoing trade uncertainty and heightened geopolitical volatility.
“With geopolitical disruption, tariff uncertainty and shifting trade dynamics continuing to pressure global supply chains, greater emphasis on flexibility, cost control and more diversified sourcing strategies are key focus areas for US importers.”
