Descartes Systems Group, the global leader in uniting logistics-intensive businesses in commerce, released its March Global Shipping Report for logistics and supply chain professionals. In February 2026, U.S. container import volumes were 2,093,422 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), down 9.7% month-over-month, reflecting typical seasonal patterns. China-origin imports decreased 5.5% month-over-month after posting a 9.3% increase in January. Port transit delays showed mixed but moderate changes in February, with no signs of widespread congestion. With military conflict in the Middle East, changes to U.S. tariffs, continued transatlantic trade friction and revised U.S.–India tariff terms, the February update of the logistics metrics monitored by Descartes suggests supply chain planning remains centered on risk management and flexibility as trade conditions are increasingly shaped by geopolitical escalation and policy shifts.

February U.S. container imports decline month-over-month but remain seasonally resilient.

While imports were down 9.7% from January and 6.5% compared to February 2025 (see Figure 1), volumes were typical of February levels observed post-pandemic and remained 17.0% above February 2019. Despite the pullback, February 2026 ranks as the fourth-strongest February on record. Unlike February 2025, when frontloading likely inflated volumes, February 2026 activity suggests a normalized trade environment, with importers operating within ongoing policy uncertainty rather than accelerating shipments in anticipation of it.

Figure 1. U.S. Container Import Volume Year-over-Year Comparison

Top countries of origin (CoO) volumes decline in February, with broad-based decreases across Asia.

In February 2026, U.S. containerized imports from the top 10 CoO fell 9.4% month-over-month, with widespread losses across major sourcing countries (see Figure 2). After posting a 9.3% month-over-month increase in January, China recorded the largest volume decrease in February, down 5.5% (42,531 TEUs), with declines observed across most major product categories. Other decreases included Vietnam at 11.6% (33,542 TEUs), Thailand at 19.9% (24,038 TEUs), India at 17.5% (18,093 TEUs) and South Korea at 17.0% (15,261 TEUs). Only two countries posted gains: Germany increased 5.5% (2,510 TEUs) and Hong Kong edged up 0.4% (303 TEUs). Overall, February results reflect broad-based softness across leading Asian markets, contributing to the overall pullback in U.S. volumes.

Figure 2. January 2026 to February 2026 Comparison of U.S. Import Volumes from Top 10 Countries of Origin

“While February volumes suggest underlying demand remains relatively stable, the military conflict in the Middle East, evolving U.S. tariffs and ongoing trade tensions have increased routing, cost and policy uncertainty for importers,” said Jackson Wood, Director of Industry Strategy at Descartes. “To minimize global shipping challenges, importers remain focused on strategies, tactics and technologies to help navigate disruption, manage cost exposure, and strengthen supply chain resilience in a global trade environment characterized by ongoing volatility.”