Descartes reports 9.7% decline in U.S. container imports for February

U.S. container import volumes totaled 2,093,422 TEUs in February 2026. The figure declined 9.7% month-over-month, reflecting typical seasonal patterns.

Volumes fell 6.5% compared to February 2025. The decline reflects a normalized trade environment rather than frontloading activity. February 2026 remained 17.0% above February 2019 levels. The month ranks as the fourth-strongest February on record.

China-origin imports decreased 5.5% month-over-month after posting a 9.3% increase in January. The decline represented 42,531 TEUs. China recorded the largest volume decrease with declines across most major product categories.

U.S. containerized imports from the top 10 countries of origin fell 9.4% month-over-month. Vietnam declined 11.6%, Thailand fell 19.9%, India dropped 17.5%, and South Korea decreased 17.0%. Germany increased 5.5% and Hong Kong edged up 0.4%.

Port transit delays showed mixed but moderate changes in February. No signs of widespread congestion appeared.

Jackson Wood, Director of Industry Strategy at Descartes, said military conflict in the Middle East, evolving U.S. tariffs and ongoing trade tensions have increased routing, cost and policy uncertainty. Importers remain focused on strategies and technologies to navigate disruption, manage cost exposure and strengthen supply chain resilience.

Supply chain planning remains centered on risk management and flexibility. Trade conditions are increasingly shaped by geopolitical escalation and policy shifts. Factors include Middle East military conflict, changes to U.S. tariffs, continued transatlantic trade friction, and revised U.S.-India tariff terms.

Descartes noted that unlike February 2025 when frontloading likely inflated volumes, February 2026 activity suggests importers are operating within ongoing policy uncertainty rather than accelerating shipments in anticipation of changes.