U.S. container imports fell sharply in September 2025, with total inbound volumes dropping 8.4% from August to 2,307,933 TEUs, according to Descartes Systems Group’s latest Global Shipping Report. The decline—the steepest monthly drop in recent years—reflects importers’ growing caution ahead of looming tariff changes and the expiration of the U.S.-China tariff truce.

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China was the primary driver of the downturn, with import volumes plunging 12.3% month-over-month to 762,772 TEUs, a 22.9% year-over-year decrease. Nearly all major product categories saw declines, led by aluminum and related articles (-43.8%), footwear (-33.9%), and electric machinery (-31.5%). Both knit and non-knit apparel categories fell more than 29%.

Furniture and bedding—China’s largest export category to the U.S.—dropped 22.3% from a year earlier but continued to represent 14.5% of all China-origin shipments.

Descartes noted that global supply chains continue to face elevated uncertainty as tariff volatility intersects with broader geopolitical and logistical disruptions.

“After two months of elevated volumes, U.S. container imports dropped in September, led by a significant pullback in volumes from China,” said Jackson Wood, Director of Industry Strategy at Descartes. “The decline underscores how seasonal trends are being amplified by tariff-related caution. With the 90-day tariff truce set to expire in mid-November, China’s share of U.S. imports remains highly sensitive to policy outcomes and market dynamics.”

While September’s slowdown aligns with seasonal patterns seen in most years, the sharper-than-usual decline highlights how closely trade flows are now tied to tariff timelines. Despite the recent drop, year-to-date import volumes remain 1.9% higher than during the same period in 2024.

Imports from the top 10 source countries collectively fell 9.4% month-over-month, representing a combined loss of 169,126 TEUs. Among major declines: Italy (-15.1%), South Korea (-14.1%), Germany (-11.6%), Hong Kong (-11.2%), and Taiwan (-10.2%).

The trade pullback comes amid fresh policy headwinds. New Section 301 vessel fees will take effect on October 14, while the U.S.-China tariff truce is due to expire November 10—both of which are expected to add pressure on Asia-origin shipments through the fourth quarter.

Port performance data from Descartes showed mixed trends in September, with minor improvements in overall transit times as import volumes eased.

Descartes noted that global supply chains continue to face elevated uncertainty as tariff volatility intersects with broader geopolitical and logistical disruptions.