Port of Los Angeles Import Decline 2025: What Businesses Should Know
LA Port Sees 10% Import Drop Through Year-End
The momentum seen in July, boosted by a temporary pause in trade tensions with China, extended into August. The Port of Los Angeles handled 958,355 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) during the month, just shy of last year’s record.
Strong July and August Performance
Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka noted, “Nearly 2 million containers moved through the port over July and August combined. This marks the strongest two-month performance of any port in the Western Hemisphere. Retailers and manufacturers brought in goods early to prepare for the holiday season and to safeguard against potential trade policy changes.”
Port of Long Beach Maintains High Activity
The Port of Long Beach, LA’s neighbor in the San Pedro Bay port complex, reported similarly strong activity, remaining one of the leading U.S. cargo hubs.
Expected Slowdown in Import Growth
Seroka cautioned that growth is expected to slow through the remainder of 2025. “Container volumes are likely to ease compared with last year’s unusually high numbers. Much of the holiday cargo has already arrived, and economic trends like slower job growth and persistent inflation are prompting importers and consumers to be more cautious,” he said.
New China Shipping Fees Could Impact Carriers
The port is preparing for new shipping fees scheduled for October on China-operated vessels, which could raise costs by $175 to $300 per container. While Los Angeles may be less affected than smaller ports, ocean carriers could adjust services.
Drayage and Trucking Cost Pressures
The container supply chain is also navigating long-term trucking cost pressures. Two drayage providers, TGS Logistics and GSC Logistics, recently shut down due to declining rates and challenging market conditions.
August Container Volumes and Export Growth
For August, loaded imports reached 504,514 TEUs, slightly down 1% from last year, while loaded exports rose 5% to 127,379 TEUs. Container dwell times improved, dropping to under three days for trucks and under eight days for rail. Empty containers totaled 326,462 units, a slight decline of 1% compared to 2024.
Year-to-Date Container Performance
Through the end of August, the Port of Los Angeles processed a total of 6,934,004 TEUs, marking a 4.5% increase over the same period last year.