The height transport season for U.S. container imports is winding down after an unusually lengthy stretch of elevated volumes by way of the summer time and early fall, the Nationwide Retail Federation stated.
The most recent International Port Tracker report, produced by NRF and Hackett Associates, signifies August was seemingly the busiest month of 2026, changing September because the anticipated peak. Imports are anticipated to ease by way of the rest of the yr as retailers shift from stocking vacation merchandise to replenishing inventories and making ready for early 2027.
“Even with any fluctuations in ultimate information, we’re seemingly previous the busiest a part of the yr,” stated Jonathan Gold, NRF’s vice chairman for provide chain and customs coverage. “The reality is that the height season began early and was stretched out by way of the summer time and early fall, with the distinction from month to month usually amounting to little greater than a rounding error.”
Ports coated by International Port Tracker dealt with 2.3 million twenty-foot equal models in August, the newest month with finalized figures. That was up 0.4% from July however down 0.7% from August 2025.
The commerce group lowered its September forecast to 2.28 million TEUs from the beforehand projected 2.31 million. The revised estimate would nonetheless signify an 8.2% enhance from a yr earlier. October imports are forecast at 2.25 million TEUs, up 8.5% yr over yr, earlier than declining to 2 million TEUs in November.
Hackett Associates founder Ben Hackett stated imports have been bolstered by sturdy shopper spending regardless of weakening financial indicators, declining shopper confidence and rising inflation.
The projections level to a gradual retreat from summer time highs reasonably than an abrupt drop in cargo demand. Regardless of the anticipated month-to-month slowdown, September and October volumes would stay above their year-earlier ranges.
Gold stated most vacation merchandise has already arrived, with “last-minute replenishment and preparation for early 2027” driving shipments for the stability of the yr.
The retailers forecast full-year imports on the ports coated by the report at 25.8 million TEUs, up 1.4% from 2025.
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