Report Release and Publisher

The September edition of the Global Shipping Report was published by Descartes, a Waterloo, Ontario-based logistics company offering on-demand software-as-a-service solutions. This is the 50th edition since the report's release in August 2021.

US Monthly Import Volumes and Key Indicators

Container imports into the United States in September totaled 2,307,933 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units), down 8.4% from 2,519,722 TEU in August. September's volume was the second-highest monthly volume in 2025, approaching the monthly record set in May 2022, and the third-highest September volume on record. It also marked an 8.4% decline compared to the same month last year.

Results and interpretation for the current year

As of September, year-to-date volumes are 1.9% higher than the same period last year, demonstrating moderate demand resilience. Descartes noted that the nearly 2% year-to-date growth underscores the potential impact of the outperformance seen earlier in 2025, as well as overall robust demand despite ongoing political and economic uncertainty.

Seasonal patterns and tariff sensitivity

Descartes noted that September typically follows August with lower volumes, and the 8.4% sequential decline may reflect increased sensitivity to the timing of tariffs. The company speculated that importers continue to adjust supply flows in response to policy changes, which likely contributed to the decline after very strong activity in July and August.

Price cuts and political pressure in China

U.S. imports from China in September fell to 762,772 TEU, down 12.3% from August and 22.9% from a year earlier. This figure is 25.4% below the record high set in July 2024, when shipments from China reached 1,022,913 TEU. China's share of total U.S. imports fell to 33.0% from 34.5% in August.

The report highlighted additional pressures on China-origin cargo, including newly implemented Section 301 vessel fees and the scheduled end of the recent U.S.-China tariff pause. Descartes flagged that the tariff pause is set to expire on November 10, while company commentary also referenced a 90-day tariff truce due to lapse in mid-November, underscoring sensitivity of China’s share to policy outcomes and market dynamics.

Top origins and country-level movements

For the top 10 countries of origin, combined U.S.-bound imports fell 9.4% from August to September, totaling a cumulative 169,126 TEU. China accounted for a decline of 106,751 TEU within that drop.

• Italy: -15.1%
• South Korea: -14.1%
• Germany: -11.6%
• Hong Kong: -11.2%
• Taiwan: -10.2%

Executive perspective and additional report content

Jackson Wood, Director of Industry Strategy at Descartes, said the decline in September followed two months of elevated volumes and was driven in large part by a notable reduction in shipments from China. He characterized the drop as the result of seasonal easing and heightened caution tied to tariffs, and reiterated that China’s share of U.S. imports remains sensitive to both policy outcomes and market fundamentals.

The report also included other key findings on global shipping trends and regional movements.