US container imports hit all-time high in October, Descartes reports

US container imports reached an all-time monthly high in October 2026, supported by stronger shipments from China and increased activity at East and Gulf Coast ports, according to Descartes Systems Group.

The latest Global Shipping Report shows that US maritime container imports reached 2,674,808 TEUs in October. This represents a 5% increase from September and a 16% rise compared with October 2025.

The total exceeded the previous monthly record of 2,622,465 TEUs, set in May 2022, by 52,343 TEUs.

During the first ten months of 2026, US container imports increased by 2.3% compared with the same period last year. This marked the second consecutive month in which cumulative volumes remained above their 2025 levels.

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