U.S. import cargo volumes are expected to remain elevated in August before gradually declining through the end of 2026, according to the latest Global Port Tracker report from NRF and Hackett Associates.
The 2026 peak shipping season arrived earlier than the historical late summer or fall period, as retailers accelerated imports ahead of anticipated tariff changes and responded to continued supply chain uncertainty. May appears to have been the busiest month so far, with major U.S. ports handling approximately 2.24 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU).
Ports covered by the report handled 2.23 million TEU in June, a 13.2% increase from June 2025 and a 0.7% decline from May. Imports during the first half of 2026 totaled 12.7 million TEU, up 1.1% from the same period last year.
July imports are projected at 2.21 million TEU, down 7.6% from a year earlier, while August is forecast at 2.22 million TEU, down 4.2%. Volumes are expected to ease through the remainder of the year, although most months are projected to remain above 2025 levels.
The report estimates total 2026 imports will reach approximately 25.5 million TEU, essentially unchanged from 2025.
The report notes that consumer spending has remained resilient despite ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainty. Retailers are expected to enter the holiday season with inventories in place while continuing to adapt to changing trade and supply chain conditions.
