Container Imports Drop 17.6% In October At Busiest US Port

The Port of Long Beach is moving containerized cargo ahead of the cumulative record-setting paceachieved in 2024 despite weaker demand that saw October volumes drop by nearly 20%from a year ago.

The hub, which along with the Port of Los Angeles forms the San Pedro port complex, the nations busiest, moved a total 839,671 twenty foot equivalent units (TEUs) in October, down 14.9% from October 2024 – the strongest month in its 114-year history.

Imports declined 17.6% to 401,915 TEUs and exports dropped 11.5% to 99,817 TEUs. Empty containers, an indicator of future import shipments, decreased 12.6% to 337,940 TEUs.

Long Beach has moved 8,229,916 TEUs through the first 10 months of 2025, ahead 4.1% y/y and on pace to better 2024s all-time record volume of more than 9.6 million TEUs.

The port has maintained steady operations despite an uncertain outlook amid ongoing tariff and trade policies, Port of Long Beach Chief Executive Mario Cordero and Chief Operating Officer Noel Hacegaba said in a virtual media call.

Hacegaba said the port continues to work with its partners “to anticipate and mitigate issues before they arise to keep cargo and our economy moving.”