After a promising start to 2025 that extended the recovery trends of 2023, booking volumes for U.S. containerized imports have dropped sharply—declining 20% from their January peaks. Despite still being 30% higher year-over-year compared to 2024, this abrupt downturn reflects the impact of growing tariff-related uncertainties.
According to container data analyst Vizion, the downturn was driven by shippers reacting to rumors and speculation about impending tariff increases. Many shippers frontloaded their shipments to preempt potential cost hikes. However, as the situation evolved, uncertainty deepened, leading to significant disruptions in trade volumes.
From March 24–31 to April 1–8, the logistics sector experienced dramatic declines across multiple metrics, a phenomenon Vizion referred to as a “tariff shockwave”:
Global twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) bookings plunged by 49%.
Overall U.S. imports fell by 64%.
U.S. exports declined by 30%.
U.S. imports from China dropped 64%.
U.S. exports to China decreased by 36%.
These sharp declines coincided with the announcement of new tariff measures by the U.S. administration on April 4, followed swiftly by retaliatory measures from China on April 5. The result was a widespread booking freeze as shippers reassessed their strategies amidst growing uncertainty.
A closer analysis of specific product categories during the weeks of March 24–30 and March 31–April 6 reveals the breadth of the impact:
Apparel and accessories: Down 59%.
Wool, fabrics, and textiles: Declined 57%.
These sectors, characterized by their discretionary or seasonal nature, are often the first to react to economic pressures and policy changes. Their rapid declines highlight their vulnerability to cost increases and demand fluctuations, serving as leading indicators for broader trade trends.
Manufacturing inputs from China, essential for industrial supply chains, also faced significant declines:
Plastics: Fell 45.4%.
Copper: Dropped 31.1%.
Wood products: Decreased 24%.
The situation worsened on April 10, when the White House announced a tariff increase on Chinese goods to a combined rate of 145%, incorporating a previously announced 125% rate with an additional 20% import tax.
Data from Vizion indicates that shippers initially responded to tariff rumors by accelerating shipments to avoid anticipated costs but quickly reversed course as the situation evolved. The resulting freeze underscores the volatility in global trade.
Looking forward, the remainder of 2025 is likely to remain turbulent, marked by:
Demand fluctuations: Sudden spikes and drops driven by shifting policies.
Accelerated ordering patterns: Short-term moves to preempt future disruptions.
Global sourcing reevaluations: Companies may reassess supply chain strategies to mitigate risk.
With tariffs from other trade partners currently under a 90-day pause, Vizion warns that volatility will persist, compelling shippers to adapt dynamically to an unpredictable trade landscape.
Source: https://www.freightwaves.com/news/tariff-shockwave-leads-to-collapse-in-ocean-container-bookings
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