By Faridat Salifu
United States container imports rose by 1.2 percent in April 2025 compared to March, and by 9.1 percent year-on-year, according to Descartes’ May Global Shipping Report.
Total inbound volume exceeded 2.4 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) for the second time this year, showing resilience amid geopolitical uncertainty and shifting trade policies.
West Coast ports regained market share from East and Gulf Coast ports in April, reversing a temporary decline seen in March.
Despite the growth in volumes, Descartes reported that average port transit delays fell to their lowest level since 2021, when the company began monitoring the metric.
Imports from China grew 5.4 percent month-on-month and 6.2 percent compared to April 2024, now representing 33.4 percent of total U.S. container traffic.
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Analysts attribute part of the surge to importers fast-tracking shipments ahead of new U.S. tariffs, including a 145 percent tariff on Chinese goods that took effect on 9 April.
Container volumes from the top 10 countries of origin collectively rose by 2.8 percent in April, with Italy, Vietnam, and Thailand recording notable increases.
While China posted the largest absolute gains, imports from Germany and India recorded the steepest declines among the top ten trade partners.
Cumulatively, U.S. container imports in the first four months of 2025 were up 8.6 percent compared to the same period in 2024.
Descartes cautioned that the broader trade environment remains unstable due to ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, and the potential for new retaliatory tariffs.
Meanwhile, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) has voiced concern over a proposed 100 percent tariff on Chinese-made ship-to-shore cranes under review by U.S. trade officials.
The report suggests that while import volumes remain strong, supply chain volatility and policy shifts could still pose significant risks through the second half of the year.
