Early surge in US container imports coming to an end, shippers say

By Lisa Baertlein

LOS ANGELES, Aug 7 (Reuters) - An aboriginal seasonal surge successful U.S. instrumentality import volume, driven by shippers racing to debar higher ‌fuel surcharges tied to the U.S.-Israeli warfare with Iran and caller U.S. tariffs, ‌is ending, according to probe released connected Friday.

The Global Port Tracker study from the National Retail Federation ​and maritime consultancy Hackett Associates expects import measurement astatine the nation's large instrumentality ports to stay precocious this period earlier declining for the remainder of 2026.

Freight forwarders, which put proscription for clients, backed the report's assessment.

"The front-loading question has passed its peak," said ‌Ted Chen, manager of water ⁠freight astatine Dimerco Express Group.

Temporary 10% planetary tariffs that took effect successful February expired connected July 23. A caller circular of ⁠10% to 12.5% tariffs, which screen 60 economies and impact 99% of U.S. imports, took effect the adjacent day.

This year's busiest period appears to person arrived successful May, according ​to the ​report. The highest instrumentality shipping season, which ​historically came successful precocious summertime oregon ‌fall, has go earlier and smoother successful caller years owed to shippers' acquisition managing supply-chain disruptions ranging from the pandemic and wars to rapidly changing U.S. tariffs.

Retailers, which relationship for astir fractional of U.S. instrumentality imports, are present adept astatine navigating supply-chain shocks, NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said.

"Retailers ‌will beryllium good stocked for the coming vacation ​season," Gold said.

Data connected July instrumentality import measurement ​is expected successful the coming ​days.

The Global Port Tracker study expects August measurement to autumn 4.2% ‌from a twelvemonth earlier to 2.2 ​million 20-foot-equivalent units for ​seaports including Los Angeles/Long Beach, New York/New Jersey and Houston. It forecast a dependable diminution successful imports each period for astir of the remainder of ​the year, though volumes volition ‌be supra 2025 levels.

Nevertheless, Chen predicted water transport prices volition enactment ​elevated.

"The outgo level isn't moving: substance and canal surcharges won't autumn with ​demand."

(Reporting by Lisa BaertleinEditing by Rod Nickel)