Port tracker report: Import volumes expected to fall in August

The temporary 10% Section 122 global import surcharges implemented in February will expire on July 24, but the Trump administration is expected to impose a new round of tariffs regarding forced labor as early as August, NRF officials said in a press release. "The busy back-to-school selling season has already started, and the winter holidays won't be far behind, so retailers have been working to get products into the [United States] and ready to go before new tariffs can potentially drive prices higher," said NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold. "Despite ongoing economic headwinds, consumers are continuing to spend, but affordability is a key factor affecting their spending habits." The 16 U.S. ports covered by the GPT handled 2.24 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in May, up 14.9% from May 2025, NRF officials said. This year's May imports were also up 10.1% from April. Ports have not yet reported June numbers, but GPT projects the month's volume at 2.33 million TEUs, up 18.7% year over year. If accurate, the projection would bring the total volume of cargo handled by the ports in the first half of 2026 to 12.77 million TEUs, up 2% from the same period in 2025. July is forecast at 2.47 million TEUs, up 3.3% from July 2025 and above the previous monthly record of 2.4 million TEUs set in May 2022, NRF officials said. GPT predicts import volume of 2.22 million TEUs in August, down 4.5% year over year; September at 1.99 million TEUs, down 5.7%; October at 1.99 million TEUs, down 3.8%; and November at 1.92 million TEUs, down 5.2%. "The May through July numbers are expected to be the highest of the year. The peak shipping season, which historically centered around October, has moved up in recent years amid reasons ranging from port labor disputes to expected tariff increases," NRF officials said.