Overnight, U.S. imports surged!China's cargo volume surges by 28%, peak season may explode a
- Author:Maintenance network
- Source:Maintenance network
- Release Date:2026-06-15
According to data from the "Global Shipping Report" released by supply chain technology service provider Descartes in June 2026, in May 2026, U.S. container imports reached 2.429 million TEU, a month-on-month increase of 6.6% and a year-on-year increase of 11.5%. This ended the volatile trend in the previous months and showed that the demand for replenishment in the U.S. market is increasing.
The U.S. import season may start early
Descartes said that the increase in imports in May is in line with the traditional seasonal patterns of the United States. Usually May to August is the start of the peak import season in the United States.This year's growth reflects that importers are actively coping with the complex and ever-changing trade environment and supply chain risks.
China's cargo volume rebounds sharply
Data show that in May 2026, the volume of containers imported by the United States from China reached 816,200 TEU, a month-on-month increase of 19.9% and a year-on-year increase of 28.1%.At the same time, the proportion of Chinese goods in total U.S. imports increased from 29.9% in April to 33.6%, returning to more than one-third.However, compared with the historical high of 1.0229 million TEU set in July 2024, the current volume of containers exported from China to the United States is still about 20% lower, indicating that the adjustment of the U.S. procurement structure is still continuing.From the perspective of the structure of imported goods, plastic products, furniture and bedding, mechanical equipment, electrical equipment and other products are still the main categories of goods exported from China to the US market.
Import volume at the top ten U.S. ports increased simultaneously
At the port level, the total import volume of the top ten ports in the United States increased by 134,900 TEU month-on-month in May, an increase of 7.0%.Among them: the Port of Savannah (Savannah) increased by 17.0%, the Port of New York/New Jersey increased by 10.8%, the Port of Houston increased by 18.2%, data show that the overall operation of major U.S. ports remains stable, and there is no obvious congestion.It is worth noting that the congestion situation at the Port of Long Beach (Long Beach), which has continued to attract attention, has been significantly alleviated. The average delay time dropped from 7.3 days in April to 2.2 days in May, and the port processing efficiency has been significantly improved.
U.S. retailers are stocking up ahead of schedule
At the same time, the latest forecast from the National Retail Federation (NRF) shows that U.S. importers are arranging goods shipments in advance due to uncertainty about future tariff policies and rising fuel costs.NRF predicts that U.S. import volume will continue to grow by about 5.1% in June 2026. The cumulative import volume in the first half of the year will reach 12.6 million TEU, which will only decrease by less than 1% compared with the same period in 2025. The industry generally believes that the traditional U.S. import peak season, originally concentrated from July to August, may start early this year in June.Some retailers are taking advantage of the current relatively stable market window to replenish their inventory in advance to reduce supply chain risks caused by subsequent policy adjustments.
Geopolitical risks remain the biggest variable
Descartes pointed out in the report that the global supply chain is still facing high uncertainty.Among them, the situation in the Middle East continues to be tense, and the risk to navigation in the Strait of Hormuz has not been completely eliminated.As one of the world's most important energy transportation channels, changes in the regional situation may still have a significant impact on the international shipping market and energy prices.In addition, there are still great variables in the direction of U.S. tariff policy.Recently, the U.S. government has continued to advance judicial proceedings regarding the legality of tariffs. Although the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has refunded more than $20 billion in tariffs and received approximately $85 billion in refund applications, future policy changes may still affect the refund process and importers' business expectations.Reuters recently quoted industry analysts as pointing out that the uncertainty of tariff policies is pushing some U.S. companies to adopt a strategy of "advance imports + diversified procurement" to reduce the risk of future cost fluctuations.
Shipping market shows pre-peak season signals
Judging from market performance, trans-Pacific routes have shown some signs of peak season recently.Many liner companies have successively implemented peak season surcharges (PSS) and fuel surcharges (EFS), and some shipping companies have begun to tighten space allocation.Market institutions Drewry and Freightos have recently mentioned that routes from Asia to the United States have shown signs of demand recovery brought about by advance stocking.Although the current freight rates have not yet seen a significant increase, with the continued release of import demand from the United States and the pressure on fuel costs brought about by the situation in the Middle East, there is still the possibility of further strengthening in trans-Pacific route freight rates in the coming months.
Industry observation
Judging from the data in May, the U.S. import market is gradually getting rid of the wait-and-see state at the beginning of the year, and the demand for advance stocking and restocking is beginning to be released.For export companies and logistics companies, they need to focus on two major variables in the future: first, changes in U.S. tariff policies, and second, the impact of the situation in the Middle East on global shipping networks and fuel costs.If the U.S. peak season starts early and shipping companies continue to implement capacity management measures, trans-Pacific shipping rates may receive some support in the second half of the year, and relevant companies can make arrangements for space and transportation resources in advance.
The U.S. import season may start early
Descartes said that the increase in imports in May is in line with the traditional seasonal patterns of the United States. Usually May to August is the start of the peak import season in the United States.This year's growth reflects that importers are actively coping with the complex and ever-changing trade environment and supply chain risks.
China's cargo volume rebounds sharply
Data show that in May 2026, the volume of containers imported by the United States from China reached 816,200 TEU, a month-on-month increase of 19.9% and a year-on-year increase of 28.1%.At the same time, the proportion of Chinese goods in total U.S. imports increased from 29.9% in April to 33.6%, returning to more than one-third.However, compared with the historical high of 1.0229 million TEU set in July 2024, the current volume of containers exported from China to the United States is still about 20% lower, indicating that the adjustment of the U.S. procurement structure is still continuing.From the perspective of the structure of imported goods, plastic products, furniture and bedding, mechanical equipment, electrical equipment and other products are still the main categories of goods exported from China to the US market.
Import volume at the top ten U.S. ports increased simultaneously
At the port level, the total import volume of the top ten ports in the United States increased by 134,900 TEU month-on-month in May, an increase of 7.0%.Among them: the Port of Savannah (Savannah) increased by 17.0%, the Port of New York/New Jersey increased by 10.8%, the Port of Houston increased by 18.2%, data show that the overall operation of major U.S. ports remains stable, and there is no obvious congestion.It is worth noting that the congestion situation at the Port of Long Beach (Long Beach), which has continued to attract attention, has been significantly alleviated. The average delay time dropped from 7.3 days in April to 2.2 days in May, and the port processing efficiency has been significantly improved.
U.S. retailers are stocking up ahead of schedule
At the same time, the latest forecast from the National Retail Federation (NRF) shows that U.S. importers are arranging goods shipments in advance due to uncertainty about future tariff policies and rising fuel costs.NRF predicts that U.S. import volume will continue to grow by about 5.1% in June 2026. The cumulative import volume in the first half of the year will reach 12.6 million TEU, which will only decrease by less than 1% compared with the same period in 2025. The industry generally believes that the traditional U.S. import peak season, originally concentrated from July to August, may start early this year in June.Some retailers are taking advantage of the current relatively stable market window to replenish their inventory in advance to reduce supply chain risks caused by subsequent policy adjustments.
Geopolitical risks remain the biggest variable
Descartes pointed out in the report that the global supply chain is still facing high uncertainty.Among them, the situation in the Middle East continues to be tense, and the risk to navigation in the Strait of Hormuz has not been completely eliminated.As one of the world's most important energy transportation channels, changes in the regional situation may still have a significant impact on the international shipping market and energy prices.In addition, there are still great variables in the direction of U.S. tariff policy.Recently, the U.S. government has continued to advance judicial proceedings regarding the legality of tariffs. Although the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has refunded more than $20 billion in tariffs and received approximately $85 billion in refund applications, future policy changes may still affect the refund process and importers' business expectations.Reuters recently quoted industry analysts as pointing out that the uncertainty of tariff policies is pushing some U.S. companies to adopt a strategy of "advance imports + diversified procurement" to reduce the risk of future cost fluctuations.
Shipping market shows pre-peak season signals
Judging from market performance, trans-Pacific routes have shown some signs of peak season recently.Many liner companies have successively implemented peak season surcharges (PSS) and fuel surcharges (EFS), and some shipping companies have begun to tighten space allocation.Market institutions Drewry and Freightos have recently mentioned that routes from Asia to the United States have shown signs of demand recovery brought about by advance stocking.Although the current freight rates have not yet seen a significant increase, with the continued release of import demand from the United States and the pressure on fuel costs brought about by the situation in the Middle East, there is still the possibility of further strengthening in trans-Pacific route freight rates in the coming months.
Industry observation
Judging from the data in May, the U.S. import market is gradually getting rid of the wait-and-see state at the beginning of the year, and the demand for advance stocking and restocking is beginning to be released.For export companies and logistics companies, they need to focus on two major variables in the future: first, changes in U.S. tariff policies, and second, the impact of the situation in the Middle East on global shipping networks and fuel costs.If the U.S. peak season starts early and shipping companies continue to implement capacity management measures, trans-Pacific shipping rates may receive some support in the second half of the year, and relevant companies can make arrangements for space and transportation resources in advance.