US container imports are set to hit 2.47 million TEU in July, marking a record high as retailers rush to avoid impending tariffs.
US container imports are projected to reach 2.47 million TEU in July, a 3.3% rise year on year and a new monthly record, reported New York's Rapaport News.
The Global Port Tracker report, issued by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates, indicated that retailers are accelerating shipments to avoid tariff increases expected in August, which are linked to forced labor.
Jonathan Gold, NRF vice-president, stated that the early peak season reflects efforts to bring goods in before new tariffs raise costs. He noted that consumers continue to spend despite economic headwinds, although affordability remains a key factor.
The previous monthly record was 2.4 million TEU in May 2022 during the post-pandemic rebound. May 2023 volumes rose 15% from a year earlier, when imports slumped after the
