US imports of containerised goods fell 8.4 per cent in September compared with a year earlier, reflecting the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. Shipments from China dropped sharply by 22.9 per cent, according to new data released on Thursday.
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The effect was seen on aluminium, footwear and electric machinery as they showed the steepest declines, resulting in China-origin imports drop to 762,772 TEUs. Imports from South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Germany and Italy also weakened, while Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and India gained a modest market share.
However, despite the fall, US seaports handled 2.31 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in September, marking the third-highest September volume on record, said Descartes. However, the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates forecast that import volumes will dip below the 2 million TEU mark for the remainder of the year.
“This year's peak season has come and gone, largely due to retailers frontloading imports ahead of reciprocal tariffs taking effect,” said Jonathan Gold, NRF's vice president for supply chain and customs policy.
Also read: ‘Constructive discussions’ on aluminium tariffs held between Carney and Trump
Additional tariffs of 25 per cent on upholstered furniture, regardless of origin and the same rate on kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities will take effect next week, with further increases anticipated in January. A separate tariff hike on Chinese imports, postponed by 90 days in August, is now slated for November 10 unless a deal is reached or another delay is announced.
“Ongoing volatility in US tariff policy is creating significant economic uncertainty,” said Ben Hackett, founder of Hackett Associates.
Reflecting softer demand, the Drewry East-West Contract Rate Index fell 3 per cent year-on-year in September, the first such drop since July 2024.
Year-to-date container volumes through September were still 1.9 per cent ahead of 2024 levels, but China’s share of US imports slipped to 33 per cent from 34.5 per cent in August.
To know more about the aluminium extrusion market, read “The World of Aluminium Extrusions – Industry Forecast to 2032”
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