Los Angeles and Long Beach Ports Hit Record as Importers Beat Tariff Clock

U.S. importers accelerated shipments ahead of looming tariff deadlines, driving July container volumes at the nation’s two busiest gateways to all-time highs. The Port of Los Angeles processed 1,019,837 twenty-foot equivalent units, the most in its 117-year history, while neighboring Long Beach handled 944,232 TEUs, its busiest July on record. Similar surges were reported at other West Coast terminals as retailers rushed to land goods before higher duties on Chinese merchandise and other imports take effect in mid-November. Shipping executives warn the front-loading masks a sharp slowdown in demand. The National Retail Federation projects inbound volumes at major U.S. ports will contract 5% in August and close to 20% year-on-year from September through December. Spot freight rates from Shanghai to the U.S. have already fallen about 60% since early June, suggesting carriers face weaker peak-season bookings despite the recent spike. The tariff squeeze is also reverberating overseas. In Brazil, a 50% surcharge on most exports to the United States has prompted furniture and wood producers to place hundreds of employees on collective vacation while they await government relief. In the Santa Catarina furniture hub alone, four companies have idled roughly 600 workers, and producers such as Artefama say deeper cuts are possible if U.S. orders do not recover.