US imports to hit all-time record levels in July 

Peak import season has been moving up from October to the first semester, and 2026 is the perfect example of how timetables have shifted. 

According to the latest Global Port Tracker report issued monthly by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates, US imports are set to reach an all-time record high in July, with nearly 2.5 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs). The number reflects a 3.3 percent year-on-year increase for July and sits 700,000 TEUs above the current record of 2.4 million TEUs set in May of 2022. 

As the expiration of Section 122 tariffs rapidly approaches, NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said companies are front-loading cargo for end-of-year promotions to leverage a somewhat more stable import scenario. 

“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 US and ready to go before new tariffs can potentially drive prices higher,” he said in a press release. 

Import volumes will slow down in the second half of 2026

The US Trade Representative’s office (USTR) continues its investigations into several foreign economies to impose new levies under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act. There’s no clear timeline regarding when the USTR will deliver a final verdict, but the Global Port Tracker says the industry expects updates on this front as early as August. 

In line with these expectations, volumes into the US are projected to drop to a little over 2 million TEUs, reflecting a 4.5 percent drop compared to the same period last year. Likewise, volumes for September and October are estimated to decrease, with forecasts of 2 million TEUs for both months, representing declines of nearly six percent and four percent, respectively. 

“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 experts said in the report.

The Global Port Tracker report clarified that final June numbers are still pending, but are projected at 2.3 million TEUs, reflecting a nearly 19 percent year-on-year increase. 

*All images are referential.

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