The data, released in a report from the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates, indicates that major US ports handled 2.23 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) in June, reflecting a 13.2% year-on-year increase as importers moved cargo ahead of newly imposed tariffs and in response to international supply chain uncertainties.
However, this figure represents a modest decline of 0.7% from May, which appears to have marked the year’s busiest month with 2.24 million TEU processed.
According to the forecast, July import volumes are projected at 2.21 million TEU, a 7.6% decrease from the same month last year.
For August, the report anticipates a further dip to 2.22 million TEU, down 4.2% year-on-year.
Despite these projected decreases, Global Port Tracker expects US ports to maintain higher import levels than in 2025 for the remainder of the year, although volumes are projected to steadily taper off.
The NRF cited changes to US tariff policy as a major factor behind the altered import timing. Temporary global tariffs under Section 122 ended in late July, but these were swiftly replaced by Section 301 tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5%, impacting a broad array of imports from 60 countries, the organisation noted.
Retailers sought to bring in goods earlier to avoid the latest round of tariffs and to contend with continued supply disruptions related to Middle East conflict, Jonathan Gold, NRF’s vice president for Supply Chain and Customs Policy, stated.
“We had an early peak season this year as retailers brought in merchandise ahead of tariff changes in late July and responded to other uncertainties in the supply chain like the ongoing disruption brought by the conflict in Iran. One round of tariffs has been replaced with another, but retailers will be well stocked for the coming holiday season. Retailers know how to adapt to shifting situations and are well prepared to meet consumers’ demand for affordability and choice.”
Looking ahead, the Global Port Tracker predicts import levels will gradually recede after August, with September volumes forecast at 2.16 million TEU, a 2.8% year-on-year rise, followed by 2.13 million TEU in October, up 2.7%.
Monthly volumes are then expected to remain above their 2025 levels through to December, with the year likely to close at 25.5 million TEU, marginally surpassing last year’s total.
The report also noted that the peak shipping season, traditionally occurring later in the summer or early autumn, has arrived earlier and become less pronounced in recent years due to supply chain volatility and anticipation of tariff changes.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: finance.yahoo.com
