Containerized Goods Deliveries from China and Italy to the US Drastic Drop

Container imports to the US fell sharply after several months of growth in May 2025. American container terminals have become noticeably looser. Compared to a weak April, 9.7% fewer containers were unloaded in May this year. Comparing turnover year-on-year, ships from Asia and Europe delivered 7.2% fewer containers by sea – DESCARTES analysts report.

Deliveries of containerized products decreased, although the United States lowered tariffs on goods imported from China to 30% under a 90-day suspension of the customs war. However, most of the containerized deliveries delivered in May were loaded more than a month ago. Many goods were exported to the American market taking into account the previous, higher rates.

The activity of American ports in April and May was burdened with the risk of high tariffs and non-tariff measures. Ports on the east coast gained slightly, and volumes in ports on the west coast decreased significantly. Delays at ports were mostly not as severe as they had been a year earlier. However, the Los Angeles and Long Beach terminals saw temporary increases in disruptions despite fewer ships arriving on liner routes and lower container volumes.

Source: Descartes, 2025

– US imports from China fell to 637,001 TEU – a 20.8% drop compared to April and a 28.5% year-on-year decline – reports Jackson Wood, Director, Industry Strategy, Global Trade Intelligence, Descartes Systems Group. This was the deepest monthly decline since March 2020. This result means that exporters have clearly withdrawn from the supply of goods burdened with high tariffs.

However, China remains the main trading partner of the US in maritime trade. It is impossible to transfer production of goods to the US market in the short term without incurring huge costs. This will ensure that China maintains its position as a leading supplier or moves production to other APEC countries. This trend has been noticeable for a long time. We wrote about it here.

The situation at US container terminals is also affected by the situation in our globe’s hot spots. We continue to record threats on key sea routes – especially in the Red Sea and the Panama Canal. This was evident in May 2025 at U.S. container ports. East Coast and Gulf Coast ports increased their share of U.S. container imports to 44.5%, up 3.1% from April.

West Coast ports, on the other hand, saw their share fall to 38.1%, down 4.4% from the previous month — erasing gains achieved in April, notes Jackson Wood, explaining that “This change appears to be primarily due to a decline in import volumes from China following the import outperformance seen in April.”

Source: Descartes, 2025

U.S. imports from China fell sharply in May

U.S. imports from China fell to 637,001 TEU in May 2025, down 20.8% from April and 28.5% year-over-year. In addition, China’s share of total U.S. imports of containerized goods fell 29.3% in May, the lowest level in more than two years, analysts note. China remains the U.S.’s leading trading partner in maritime trade.

The sharp decline in volume and share of containerized trade with the U.S. is the result of a 145% tariff imposed on April 9. Although a 90-day U.S.-China agreement took effect on May 14 — cutting tariffs on Chinese imports to 30% by mid-August — the sharp decline in May volumes likely reflects a lull in ordering and shipping, Descartes said, as companies reassess sourcing strategies under new cost structures.

Companies importing from China have benefited from the fact that tariffs do not apply to shipments already in transit. Container supply saw a surge in preloads in April. This is clearly illustrated by the structure of cargo arriving in the United States in containers.

According to Jackson Wood, Furniture and Bedding (HS-94) remained the leading category of imports from China in May, accounting for 16.04% of U.S. containerized volume, or 102,162 TEU. Plastics (HS-39) accounted for another 13.9% (88,368 TEU), and Machinery (HS-84) accounted for 12.1% (77,099 TEU).

Other key categories included electrical equipment (HS-85) with a share of 7.8% (49,930 TEU), iron or steel products (HS-73) at 6.8% (40,895 TEU), and toys and sporting goods (HS-95) at 5.9% (37,811 TEU). Many of these categories are expected to continue to experience difficulties in reaching the U.S. market following the introduction of higher tariffs.

Italians reduced exports to the US

According to data processed by the Italian Trade Agency in New York, in 2024, trade between the United States and Italy reached a value of over 108 billion dollars. In 2024, Italian exports to the United States increased by 17.86%. Italy ranked 11th in the world and 3rd in Europe, behind Germany and Ireland, as a supplier to the United States.

The Italian market share is 2.3%, slightly less than the 2.4% recorded in 2023. By December 2024, Italian exports to the United States exceeded 76 billion dollars, while imports of American products to Italy reached 32 billion dollars. The trade balance is therefore strongly positive for Italy, with a surplus of about 44 billion dollars.

Source: Econovis.net, 2025

The most significant sectors of Italian exports include the mechanical sector, which reached almost 18 billion dollars, with an increase of 1.2% compared to the previous year. Then there is the chemical and pharmaceutical sector, valued at 13 billion dollars, with a significant increase of 31.4% compared to the previous year.

The fashion and accessories sector reached 11 billion dollars, but recorded a slight decrease of 8% compared to 2023. The agri-food and beverage sector also showed positive results, with a value of over 8 billion dollars, a significant increase of 17.1%. The group of five largest export sectors is completed by the transport equipment sector, which recorded a total value of around 7 billion dollars, down 14% compared to 2023.

Source: Descartes, 2025

Vietnam on top, Hong Kong with export declines

It is not only PRC exporters who have suffered the consequences of President Donald Trump’s tariff policy. Comparing year-on-year volumes of goods delivered in containers to the US from the 10 largest suppliers, imports from China fell by 28.5% compared to May 2024. In May this year, Vietnam recorded the largest increase in containerized cargo deliveries (by 18.1%). Smaller growth was recorded by India (by 10.4%) and Thailand (an increase of 11.1%). Taiwan increased deliveries y/y by 4.4%. However, containerized cargo deliveries from Hong Kong fell by 10.3%, from Italy by 8.2% and from Germany (a decrease of 5.6%). Imports from Japan and South Korea remained at a similar level.

Source: Usimportdata.com, 2025

Reduced imports from European countries are particularly painful not only for Italian exporters. They are particularly painful for Mexico and Canada. Among the largest US partners, from which Americans import the most goods, according to data from the US Customs Agency, Mexico ranks first (data from 2024) with a share of 15.2% and exports to the US worth $ 509.98 billion. Mexico is a leading exporter in the automotive, electronics and agricultural sectors. China, with a share of 13.8% ($ 462.63 billion), is a supplier of electronics, machinery and consumer goods.

Canada’s exports, with a share of 12.6% ($ 422.17 billion), are based on energy, automotive and wood products. Germany, with a share of 4.9% ($ 163.54 billion), provides products manufactured by the automotive, machinery and pharmaceutical industries. Japan, with a share of 4.5% (USD 152.06 billion in 2024), is a key supplier of innovative technologies, automotive products and machinery.

The effects of changes in US policy towards China and other countries were particularly noticeable in May this year. American imports from China and other countries may continue to weaken in the coming months. American importers are adjusting their strategies for sourcing goods from markets that may be burdened with lower tariffs. ASEAN countries that are willing to make significant concessions may benefit. We wrote about this here.

It is now known that the total exemption from customs duties under the de minimis threshold has ended. The regulations are in force from May 14, 2025. Jackson Wood notes that “Low-value imports are subject to revised tariffs, including a reduced ad valorem rate of 54% and a retained fee of USD 100 per delivery for postal items.” These increases, which may also contribute to a decrease in the volumes delivered in containers to American ports. And this is not good news for exporters, including those from Poland.