Posted: Thursday, October 9, 2025. 3:12 pm CST.
By Zoila Palma: U.S. containerized imports fell 8.4% in September compared with a year earlier, including a sharp 22.9% decline in goods from China, as President Donald Trump’s tariff policies continue to disrupt global trade, according to data released today.
U.S. seaports handled 2.31 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of container cargo last month, the third-highest September volume on record, despite the overall year-over-year drop, data from supply chain technology provider Descartes showed.
According to Reuters, analysts expect import volumes at major ports to fall below 2 million TEUs in the coming months due to frontloaded holiday shipments and rising tariffs.
The National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates noted that retailers had rushed to import merchandise ahead of upcoming tariffs, including 25% duties on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and bathroom vanities, set to take effect next week and increase in January.
“Ongoing volatility in U.S. tariff policy is creating significant economic uncertainty,” said Hackett Associates founder Ben Hackett.
Meanwhile, the Drewry East-West Contract Rate Index, which tracks shipping costs on 17 major ocean routes, fell 3% year-on-year through September, the first decline since July 2024, reflecting shifts in market demand.
While overall U.S. import volume through September was 1.9% higher than the same period in 2024, shipments from China fell to 762,772 TEUs, particularly affecting aluminum, footwear, electric machinery, toys, and apparel.
Imports from other countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Germany, and Italy also declined, while Southeast and South Asian nations, including Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and India, gained market share.
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The post International News: U.S. container imports fall following tariffs, China shipments plunge appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Thursday, October 9, 2025. 3:12 pm CST. By Zoila Palma: U.S. containerized imports fell 8.4% in September compared with a year earlier, including a sharp
The post International News: U.S. container imports fall following tariffs, China shipments plunge appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
