After a sharp dip in May, U.S. container import volumes rebounded modestly in June 2025 — signaling early signs of stabilization in global trade flows.
According to data from Descartes, U.S. ports handled 2,217,675 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in June, up 1.8% month-over-month. While overall imports were still down 3.5% year-over-year, the year-to-date volume remains 3.8% higher than in 2024, reflecting a partial recovery as importers adjust to evolving trade policy and tariff conditions.
West Coast Ports Drive Recovery
The West Coast emerged as the big winner in June’s volume rebound:
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Port of Los Angeles surged 29.1%, adding over 100,000 TEUs.
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Port of Long Beach jumped 18.8%.
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Port of Tacoma saw a massive 33.3% increase in throughput.
In contrast, East and Gulf Coast ports struggled:
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Port of Savannah volumes dropped 16.9%.
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Port of Houston reported a 15.8% decline.
Overall, the top 10 U.S. ports posted a 3.1% month-over-month gain, with the West Coast offsetting declines in the East and Gulf regions.
Chinese Imports Under Pressure
U.S. imports from China rose slightly from May (+0.4%), but remain down 28.3% year-over-year, due to:
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High tariffs still in place despite a recent truce
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Elimination of the de minimis exemption
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Sharp declines in key categories like furniture and plastics
China now accounts for just 28.8% of total U.S. imports, the lowest in four years.
Meanwhile, Vietnam continues to benefit from the China-plus-one sourcing shift, increasing U.S.-bound exports by 7.7% in June alone.
Efficiency Up on the West Coast
June brought relief from congestion at major West Coast ports:
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Los Angeles reduced dwell time by 2.1 days
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Long Beach improved by 3.3 days
Ports on the East and Gulf Coasts held relatively steady with minimal change in transit times.
Outlook Clouded by Trade and Conflict
The U.S.–China tariff truce remains in effect, with a framework agreement in development. However, critical July and August deadlines could reignite tensions if no resolution is reached.
Additionally, Red Sea disruptions — caused by Houthi attacks and the Iran–Israel conflict — continue to reroute global shipping and raise costs, delaying freight and forcing new contingency planning.
Descartes Supply Chain Recommendations:
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Monitor tariff timelines – Upcoming changes could significantly impact landed costs.
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Track port performance – Anticipate strain and bottlenecks before peak seasons hit.
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Watch geopolitical flashpoints – Ongoing Middle East volatility demands flexible routing strategies.
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Diversify sourcing – Reducing dependency on a single region is critical to supply chain resilience.
As supply chains evolve through 2025, strategic adjustments will be vital. From West Coast port resurgence to sourcing shifts away from China, importers must stay agile in a changing trade environment.
