US container imports fall 5.5% in April amid trade policy and geopolitical disruptions

U.S. container imports declined 5.5% in April as trade policy uncertainty and geopolitical tensions disrupted global shipping patterns, according to supply chain analytics firm Descartes Systems Group.

The company reported that containerized imports have been affected by shifting U.S. trade policies and disruptions linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, following military escalation in the region involving U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.

Overall import volumes through U.S. seaports stood at 2,277,965 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in April, marking a 3.2% decline from March. It is the first April-to-April sequential drop since 2022, the data showed.

Despite the monthly decline, import levels remained around 19% higher than April 2019, indicating continued underlying demand resilience compared to pre-pandemic benchmarks.

Year-to-date figures show a broader slowdown, with U.S. containerized imports down 5% in 2026 so far.

Imports from China recorded a sharper decline, falling 15.3% year-on-year to 680,778 TEUs in April.

The report said import trends continue to serve as an indicator of U.S. economic momentum, typically rising during periods of expansion and easing during slower growth conditions.

Describing near-term dynamics, analysts noted that importers may receive short-term liquidity relief as the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency begins issuing tariff refunds from May 12. However, they cautioned that underlying cost pressures and policy uncertainty are likely to persist due to ongoing replacement tariffs.

The report added that geopolitical risks and evolving trade measures continue to weigh on supply chain planning, particularly in maritime freight flows linked to Asia–U.S. routes.