Import volume at the major container ports in the United States is likely to taper off from September highs after an extended peak season, according to the Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
U.S. ports covered by Port Tracker handled 2.37 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units — a 20-foot container or its equivalent — during September, up 3.4% from August and 12.6% year over year. The tally makes September the busiest import month of the year and the third busiest month since Port Tracker began keeping records, topped only by 2.39 million TEU in July 2025 and 2.4 million TEU in May 2022.
Although ports haven’t reported October numbers yet, Port Tracker projected the month at 2.26 million TEU, down from September but up 9.1% year over year. As imports soften, Port Tracker forecast November at 2.05 million TEU, up 1.2% year over year, and December at 2.03 million TEU, up 1.3%.
The numbers taken together would bring total 2026 imports to 26 million TEU, up 2% from 25.4 million TEU in 2025.
Port Tracker forecasts January 2027 at 2.04 million TEU, down 3% year over year; February at 1.89 million TEU, down 0.5%; and March at 1.92 million TEU, down 11.2%.
Port Tracker pointed out that a short-term contract extension negotiated by the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and representatives from International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 2 prevented a strike by watchmen at several container terminals at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. PMA announced on November 6 that an extension would continue in place until November 20. Port Tracker noted that the latest was the third temporary extension following the expiration of the watchmen’s previous contract in July 2025.
As to the latest import numbers, Jonathan Gold, NRF vice president for supply chain and customs policy, said, “U.S. ports have seen high-volume levels throughout this year’s longer-than-usual peak season, and numbers are still strong even as the season winds down. Unfortunately, these volumes have led to backups at some ports, particularly on the West Coast, where cargo has sat for extended periods waiting to be transferred to rail cars. We’ve also seen the threat of a strike at the nation’s largest port complex in recent days. Nonetheless, most holiday merchandise is already here, and retailers are working closely with their supply chain partners to ensure that the supply of holiday gifts continues to flow smoothly.”
Hackett Associates founder Ben Hackett said the long import peak period in 2026 was an offshoot of an extended season in 2025, when tariff increases led retailers to bring in merchandise before the levies could take effect.
“At the start of 2026, that surge appeared to have ended after the Supreme Court struck down high ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs,” Hackett said. “Expectations of another extended peak season consequently faded. However, new tariffs introduced in the second quarter prompted a renewed surge in imports beginning in May that continued through mid-October. Consumer spending supported this influx, with households continuing to buy despite rising inflation.”
Global Port Tracker, produced for NRF by Hackett Associates, provides historical data and forecasts for the U.S. ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Port of Virginia, Charleston, Savannah, Port Everglades, Miami and Jacksonville on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast.
