As the lingering aroma of Thanksgiving turkeys fades, a frosty reality has settled over America's import markets. The latest Global Shipping Report from logistics software provider Descartes Systems Group sounds an alarm about declining import volumes that signal deeper transformations in global trade patterns.
Key Findings: A Market in Transition
The November data reveals a 5.4% month-over-month decline and 7.5% year-over-year decrease in U.S. container imports, totaling 2.183 million TEUs. While this represents the fourth-highest November volume on record, analysts caution that pandemic-era anomalies and inventory stocking patterns have created misleading comparisons.
"What appears as moderate softening actually masks more severe underlying trends," explained trade economist Mark Richardson. "The 0.1% cumulative growth through November 2025 compared to January's 10% surge demonstrates how front-loaded imports created false optimism."
Geopolitical Crosscurrents Reshape Trade Flows
The report identifies multiple disruptive forces:
• China's share of U.S. imports plummeted to 32.7%, with November volumes down 19.7% year-over-year and 30.3% below July 2024's peak
• Collective declines among top ten trading partners reached 9.3% , with India (-18.9%), South Korea (-16.3%), Japan (-8.9%) and Germany (-5.2%) all contracting
• Port throughput at major gateways fell 5.4% monthly , led by Long Beach (-9.6%) and Houston (-10%)
Structural Shifts in Supply Chains
The data reveals noteworthy geographic redistribution:
East Coast and Gulf ports now command 41.1% market share (up from 40.7%), while West Coast dominance erodes to 42.6% (down from 44.4%). This rebalancing reflects both labor concerns and shippers' risk diversification strategies.
Navigating the New Trade Landscape
Industry experts recommend several adaptive measures:
• Supply chain diversification beyond traditional manufacturing hubs
• Dynamic inventory management to avoid overstocking amid demand volatility
• Enhanced risk monitoring of tariff policies and shipping lane disruptions
• Operational efficiency through digital transformation initiatives
The Descartes report serves as both warning and compass for businesses navigating these turbulent trade waters. As import patterns continue evolving, companies must balance short-term responsiveness with long-term strategic repositioning to thrive in the new global commerce environment.