U.S. containerized imports increased month-over-month in August 2026, reaching 2,603,709 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs)—the third-highest monthly volume on record, behind only May 2022 and July 2025. Volumes rose 3.8% from July and 3.3% from August 2025. Through the first eight months of 2026, imports were down just 0.4% year-over-year, while August volume remained 21.5% above August 2019 levels.

China-origin imports increased to 884,318 TEUs in August, up 1.3% from July and 1.7% year-over-year. Imports from the top 10 countries of origin (CoO) rose 3.5% month-over-month and 2.3% year-over-year, reflecting broad growth across leading sourcing markets. Port activity also strengthened, with volumes at the top 10 U.S. ports increasing 3.8%. East and Gulf Coast ports expanded their share of total imports to 40.7%, while West Coast ports accounted for 43.9%. Gulf Coast imports rose to 252,675 TEUs, and port transit delays increased at every major gateway.

The broader trade environment remains unsettled. Ongoing disruption around the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea, new Panama Canal transit constraints, and expanded U.S. tariffs continue to affect transportation costs, routing decisions, and sourcing strategies. August results point to resilient import demand, but persistent policy and geopolitical uncertainty and rising port delays reinforce the need for flexible, data-driven supply chain planning.