Imports to the busiest seaport in the U.S. fell steeply in May due largely to trade uncertainty associated with U.S. tariffs. Import volume at the Port of Los Angeles dropped 19% over the month prior and 9% over May 2024. Exports there also fell, marking the sixth straight month of yearly declines, reflecting an uptick in retaliatory tariffs. Imports may pick up again as importers hurry to bring in goods during a temporary deal between China and the U.S. that lowers the highest tariffs.
After ten straight months of growth due to frontloading ahead of Trump's tariffs, imports through the Port of Los Angeles fell 19% in May from the month before, and 9% from May 2024.
While import volumes are projected to spike a bit as US businesses scramble to bring goods in before temporary tariff deals expire in July and August, the remaining 55% tax on goods from China is impossibly high for many small- and medium-sized businesses. That's according to the Yale Budget Lab's Ernie Tedeschi, who joined the LA port's monthly briefing today.
Major U.S. Port Congestion Risk: Summer 2025
📍 Where
• Port of Los Angeles
• Port of Long Beach
These two handle over 40% of U.S. containerized imports, so congestion here affects nationwide supply chains.
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📊 Key Figures
• June 2025 Asia–North America shipping capacity:
📦 2.4 million TEUs (up 400,000 TEUs vs May)
• July 2025 forecast:
📦 2.8 million TEUs (19% YoY jump for both East and West Coast routes)
Source: eeSea and Sea-Intelligence
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🚢 Why It’s Concerning
• Similar volume surges during COVID-19 (2021) created severe congestion, with weeks-long vessel backlogs.
• Terminal dwell times are rising already (avg. 5.3 days in LA/LB as of early June).
• Rail and drayage capacity may get stretched.
• Tariff reprieve-induced import surge and inventory rebuilding are driving higher demand.
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🔍 What Businesses Should Do
✅ Advance plan container bookings and explore alternative ports (Oakland, Seattle-Tacoma, Houston, Savannah)
✅ Negotiate early delivery windows with carriers
✅ Prioritize high-margin and seasonal cargo for the earliest slots
✅ Coordinate rail + drayage in advance for key inland distribution hubs
✅ Use real-time port analytics tools (eeSea, Port Optimizer, MarineTraffic)
If proactive load planning isn’t done now, shippers could face repeat 2021-like delays, demurrage, and surcharge spikes in July–August.