Descartes Report: US Container Imports Drop 5.9% in December

According to data released on Thursday (January 8, 2026) by supply chain technology provider Descartes Systems Group (DSG), US container imports recorded a 5.9% decrease in December, ending 2025 with an overall decline of 0.4% compared to 2024.

This development comes as President Donald Trump’s tariff policies sharply curtailed shipments from China, shaking global trade and stoking fears of inflation.

The Data Picture: From Early "Front-loading" to Year-End Decline

Descartes reported that US container import volumes totaled 2.2 million TEUs in December 2025, bringing the full-year total to 28.1 million TEUs.

Looking back at the entirety of 2025, imports surged 10% in the early part of the year as retailers and other buyers aggressively stockpiled goods (front-loading) to beat potential tariffs on a wide range of items - particularly from China, the primary target of Trump-era levies.

However, the year-end volume slump completely erased those early gains, even as Trump withdrew or delayed tariffs on goods ranging from Chinese furniture to Italian pasta.

Supply Shifts: China Plunges, Southeast Asia Gains Insufficient to Offset

In December, imports from China plummeted by 21.8% year-on-year. Shipments from India, Taiwan, South Korea, and Italy also recorded declines.

Although there was an increase in imports from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, and Hong Kong, these gains were insufficient to counterbalance the sharp drops from other major markets.

Legal Risks and the Tariff Future

US tariff policy remains a top concern for importers. The U.S. Supreme Court could rule on the legality of tariffs based on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) as early as this Friday.

Trump administration officials stated that if the court rules against the IEEPA tariffs, they will utilize other measures to replicate the revenue currently collected under that 1977 act. This signals continued uncertainty for supply chains heading into 2026.

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Source: Phaata.com (According to Reuters)

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