The Global Shipping Resource Center

U.S. container imports remained strong in March 2025, with volumes up 6.3% over February and 11% year-over-year, despite escalating tariffs.

In February 2025, U.S. imports dipped 10% but rose year-over-year, with tariffs and global risks adding uncertainty.

The Descartes January 2025 update of logistics metrics show that in December 2024, U.S. container imports hit 2.37M TEUs, down only 0.1% from November.

The Descartes November 2024 update of logistics metrics show that in November 2024, U.S. container imports dipped below 2.4M TEUs, down 5% from October.

The Descartes November 2024 update of logistics metrics show that in October 2024, U.S. container import volumes remain above 2.4M TEUs for the fourth straight month.

The Descartes October 2024 update of logistics metrics show that in September 2024, U.S. container import volume was 2.5M TEUs, marking the third straight month of high volumes, despite global supply chain challenges.

The Descartes September 2024 update of logistics metrics show that in August 2024, U.S. container import volumes dipped below July’s historic highs while remaining above 2.4M TEUs.

The Descartes August 2024 update of logistics metrics show that in July 2024, U.S. container import volumes reached the third highest monthly volume on record.

The Descartes July 2024 update of logistics metrics show that in June 2024, U.S. container import volumes declined 2.1% from May 2024 while gaining 10.4% compared to the same month last year, continue a trend of import growth in 2024 when compared to 2023.

U.S. container import volumes continue to show robust growth in May 2024 compared to the same time last year, while port transit delays continue to improve across the board. Despite strong U.S. imports performance,  the logistics metrics Descartes is tracking shows signs that global supply chain risks remain high due to Panama and Suez canal issues, labor negotiations, and geopolitical conflict. Read the article for more.

The Descartes May 2024 update of logistics metrics show that in April 2024, U.S. container import volumes grew 3.0% from March 2024 while gaining 9.3% compared to the same month last year, proving that the economy remains strong in the face of global instability.

The Descartes April 2024 update of logistics metrics show that in March 2024, U.S. container import volumes increased 0.4% from February, but jumped 15.7% when compared to the same month last year, indicating exceptional performance for the first quarter of the year.

February import volume shrank by 6% from the month before, but it was higher by 23% year on year. The trendlines are hard to decipher, but Descartes analysis factored in the Chinese Lunar New Year and determined growth was more likely to be 13%.

The Descartes February 2024 update of logistics metrics show that in January 2024, Chinese imports drove considerable growth in U.S. container import volumes. Growing by 7.9% from December 2023, this is the largest month-to-month growth for January in the past 7 years.

The Descartes January 2024 update of logistics metrics shows that in December 2023, U.S. import volume increased slightly from November, with regional variations and port delays at Gulf Coast ports. 2024 faces headwinds in the face of upcoming labor negotiations and persistent conditions at the Panama and Suez Canals.

The Descartes December 2023 update of logistics metrics shows that in November 2023, U.S. container import volume decreased 9% from October 2023, with East and Gulf Coast ports experiencing the greatest declines.

U.S. import volumes rose in October 2023 for the second straight month, further diverging from the pre-pandemic trend followed for most of this year.

The October 2023 update of the logistics metrics Descartes is tracking shows some deviation from 2019 results. September 2023 import volumes broke the trend of importers winding down shipment volumes for the remainder of the year and had a modest increase over August 2023.

U.S. container import volumes show a very modest increase in August 2023 compared to July, while port transit times remained close to their lowest levels since the pandemic. The September update of the logistics metrics Descartes is tracking shows signs that key challenges to the global supply chain have stabilized.

Compared to June 2023, U.S. container import volumes increased by 5.1%. But despite this rise, port transit times remained close to their lowest levels since Descartes began tracking them.

Mexico has moved to the forefront of global sourcing conversations. How far they come in this round of trade shifts as a top country of origin for the U.S. and how are Chinese goods supporting that growth?

U.S. container import volumes decreased slightly compared to May 2023, though volumes were higher than pre-pandemic 2019. Port transit times decreased to the lowest levels since Descartes began tracking them.

Many companies have announced plans to find additional or alternate sources to China, but it remains the dominant non-North American trading partner with the U.S. So where are U.S. importers finding alternate sources for their goods and how far have efforts progressed?

U.S. container import volumes kept pace with pre-pandemic 2019 volumes, while port transit times increased, returning to early 2023 levels.

U.S. container import volumes in April 2023 increased significantly from March 2023, while delays were reduced significantly at major ports.

Shifts in TEU import volumes from West Coast ports have been top of mind with the protracted ILWU contract negotiations. See how much volume shifted and where it went.

U.S. container import volumes in March 2023 increased significantly from February 2023, which kept the trendline aligned with pre-pandemic 2019 volumes.

U.S. container import volumes dropped 25% in February year-on-year but the metrics continue to point to supply chain challenges ahead.

U.S. container import volumes in January 2023 increased and so did their alignment with 2019 volumes, continuing to point to challenging global supply chain performance in 2023.

U.S. container import volumes in December 2022 continued to close in on 2019 volumes. Port delays, meanwhile, continued to improve.

U.S. container import volumes in November declined close to volumes in November 2019. Port delays, meanwhile, continued to improve, especially for West Coast ports as their import volumes are down significantly versus 2021.

U.S. container import volumes in October were consistent with September while delays at most ports continued to decline.

Import volumes dipped closer to pre-pandemic levels, but delays remained high, especially at East and Gulf Coast ports.

The monthly record-setting streak that U.S. container import volumes have been posting since mid-2020 came to an end this August.

Import volumes in July 2022 remained high as increased throughput from China put pressure on supply chain predictability

U.S. container import volume stayed in record territory in June 2022. Managing supply chain risk remained a challenge, especially amid signs of increased port congestion & delays

Container shipments into the U.S. hit a new all-time high in May 2022, making the task of managing supply chain risk much more complicated to navigate.

COVID-related shutdowns in China continue to spread, but do not appear to be having an impact on overall U.S. container import volumes.

March 2022 experienced another year-over-year record in container import volume versus 2021, as the shift of volume away from the major West Coast ports reversed itself.

The global shipping crisis carried over into another month, as February 2022 started with record year-over-year container import volumes versus 2021.

There was no break in the Global Shipping Crisis as January 2022 started with record year-over-year container import volumes versus 2021.

The new year sees continued port delays as U.S. import volumes remain at record highs.

November import volumes remain at records highs and port delays continue. Are new and even greater disruptions on the horizon?

Through October, U.S. import volumes remain at record highs - forcing importers to take steps to mitigate the impact of international shipping delays

As we enter the peak shipping season, the Global Shipping Crisis is preventing retailers from having adequate inventory and forcing shoppers to face empty shelves.

A shift in how American's are spending their disposable income is having a major impact on import volumes and prolonging the Global Shipping Crisis

Descartes' Chris Jones shares insights into the origins of the Global Shipping Crisis and offers strategies on how to handle supply chain disruptions