Descartes Systems Group, the global leader in uniting logistics-intensive businesses in commerce, released its November Global Shipping Report for logistics and supply chain professionals. October U.S. container imports reached an all-time high of 2,674,808 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Imports from China rose for a fourth consecutive month to 987,805 TEUs in October, the highest monthly volume since January 2025. The top East and Gulf Coast ports gained share over West Coast gateways while port transit delays increased modestly in October for the third consecutive month, though no signs of broad-based port congestion have appeared. The November update of the logistics metrics monitored by Descartes continues to reinforce U.S. maritime import resilience in the face of an uncertain global trade landscape.
October U.S. container imports reach the highest monthly volume on record.
U.S. maritime imports reached an all-time high in October of 2,674,808 TEUs and were 2.0% (52,343 TEUs) above the previous record set in May 2022 of 2,622,465 TEUs. October 2026 volumes were up 5.0% over September, 16.0% above October 2025 and 29.2% above October 2019. Through the first 10 months of 2026, import volumes were up 2.3% compared to the same period in 2025, marking the second consecutive month where cumulative volumes posted a gain following eight months where they were below last year’s pace.
Figure 1. U.S. Container Import Volume Year-over-Year Comparison
Source: Descartes Datamyne™
U.S. container imports from China increase for the fourth consecutive month.
China-origin imports reached 987,805 TEUs in October 2026, the highest monthly volume since January 2025. October imports increased 6.9% (63,351 TEUs) month-over-month, and China’s share of total imports grew to 36.9%, up from 36.3% month-over-month. October imports from the top 10 countries of origin (CoO) increased by 5.8% (106,904 TEUs) from September, with China leading the increase by volume (see Figure 2).
Figure 2. September 2026 to October 2026 Comparison of U.S. Import Volumes from Top 10 Countries of Origin
Source: Descartes Datamyne™
“October’s record import volume shows that U.S. maritime trade remains strong, even as trade policy and shipping conditions continue to shift,” said Jackson Wood, VP, Product Management, Trade Regulations at Descartes. “Alongside current trade data, importers will want to continue to review tariff treatment, security risks on key shipping routes, and carrier routing decisions, which can add uncertainty to cost and transit planning.”
Descartes began its global shipping analysis in August 2021 to help importers manage supply chain risk. To read past monthly reports, learn more about the key economic and logistics factors driving global shipping, and review strategies to help address challenges in the near-, short-, and long-term, visit Descartes’ Global Shipping Resource Center.
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