Descartes report: U.S. container imports in September 2026 hit a record high for the month

According to a Descartes report, U.S. container imports totaled 2,546,261 TEUs in September 2026, a record high for the month, up 10.3% year over year and down 2.2% month over month. Cumulative imports for the first nine months rose slightly, by 0.8% year over year. September imports from China totaled 924,454 TEUs, up 21.2% year over year and 4.5% month over month. The five largest West Coast ports increased their share to 46.7%; imports along the Gulf Coast fell 14.8% month over month; and port transit delay indicators rose at eight of the ten largest ports.