U.S. container imports rise 11.5% in May on China rebound

Investing.com -- U.S. container import volumes increased 11.5% in May compared to the same month last year, driven by a recovery in shipments from China after several months of weaker activity, according to supply chain technology provider Descartes Systems Group on Tuesday.

U.S. seaports processed 2,428,758 20-foot equivalent units last month, the standard measurement for container volume.

Chinese-origin imports totaled 816,197 TEUs, representing a 28.1% increase from May 2025. The shipments were led by plastics, furniture and bedding products.

China's portion of total U.S. containerized imports reached 33.6% in May, up from 29.9% in April.

Analysts and shippers said the growth reflected efforts by retailers and manufacturers to accelerate imports before a new round of proposed U.S. tariffs takes effect. Concerns about the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran also prompted companies to secure inventory amid worries about potential energy price increases and shortages of goods and raw materials derived from crude oil.

For the first five months of 2026, container volumes remained 1.9% below the same period in 2025.

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