US container imports soar, surpassing pre-COVID levels in September

Posted on October 16, 2023   |  

U.S. imports have been on the rise since February, including a slight increase in September.

In September, the U.S. brought in 2,203,452 units, showing a 0.3% rise from August and a significant 27% growth from the low point in February.

Year-to-date imports in 2023 for the U.S. are 2.5% higher than the same period in 2019, before the pandemic. 

They also outpaced 2018 by 4.6% and are 11.4% higher than in January-September 2017.

In September, imports exceeded pre-pandemic levels with an 8% increase from 2019, a 9% rise from 2018, and a substantial 15.5% surge from 2017.

This year's import figures may seem less impressive when compared to the inflated numbers during the unique shipping boom of 2021-2022 caused by COVID-19.

China continues to be the primary source of import growth for the U.S., making up 39.3% of total imports in September, with volumes up by 4.2% compared to August, reaching the highest levels since August 2022.