Cargo volumes through the Port of Long Beach slipped in September as tariffs, shifting trade policies, and higher prices weighed on consumer demand. Dockworkers and terminal operators handled 797,537 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) last month, a 3.9% drop compared with September 2024.
Imports fell 6.9% to 388,084 TEUs, reflecting reduced purchasing activity as U.S. businesses and consumers adjusted to costlier goods. Exports were also down, sliding 3.6% to 85,081 TEUs. Meanwhile, the number of empty containers moving through the port showed a marginal uptick—up by just 161 units—to 324,372 TEUs.
“Tariffs are impacting how consumers and business owners make financial decisions and purchases,” said Mario Cordero, CEO of the Port of Long Beach. He added that the port’s digital cargo tracking platform, Supply Chain Information Highway, projects a steady October, with a slight softening in November due to weather-related disruptions and changes in vessel schedules.
Steady Throughput Despite Headwinds
Despite the September slowdown, the port remains on track for a strong year. Between January and September, 7,390,245 TEUs passed through Long Beach—an increase of 6.8% from the same period last year. The third quarter was also one of the busiest on record, with 2,643,614 TEUs handled between July and September.
Frank Colonna, President of the Long Beach Harbor Commission, praised the port’s workforce for maintaining operational efficiency amid challenging conditions. “Our reputation as the primary gateway for trans-Pacific trade relies on our ability to ensure the swift, reliable and sustainable shipment of goods,” he said.
Industry analysts note that the decline mirrors broader economic trends: consumers are tightening spending, and manufacturers are adjusting supply chains in response to shifting tariffs and production costs. For a port that handles a significant share of U.S.-Asia trade, even a modest dip in imports can ripple across the logistics chain—from warehousing and trucking to retail inventory levels.
While forecasts suggest stability in the near term, much will depend on how ongoing trade policies evolve and how businesses adapt to fluctuating demand across global markets.
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