Companies are stocking up ahead of expected tariff increases in August. Import volume at major container ports in the U.S. is expected to hit an all-time record this month driven by that behavior, according to a forecast in the Global Port Tracker report released Wednesday from the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
The temporary Section 122 global tariff at 10% that began in February will expire July 24, but a new round of tariffs regarding forced labor are expected to be imposed by the Trump administration as early as August, per the industry group’s report.
Ports haven’t reported final June numbers yet, but the Global Port Tracker projects a nearly 19% year-over-year jump in 20-foot containers or their equivalent. July is forecast to increase 3.3%, but August is expected to drop 4.5% from 2025.
“Import volumes have risen sharply, with strong growth likely continuing into July,” Hackett Associates founder Ben Hackett said in a statement. “Much of this increase reflects frontloading ahead of expected tariff increases.”
U.S. ports handled 2.24 million 20-foot containers in May, marking a nearly 15% increase year over year due to the decline in 2025 from “Liberation Day” tariffs. Such tariffs enacted by President Trump’s administration in 2025 were imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and The Supreme Court ruled against them earlier this year.
Amassing inventory in response to expected changes in U.S. tariff rates has become a staple of the buying process in retail. Industry buyers historically planned out merchandising needs months in advance, which has shifted with the ever-changing state of trade policy in the country.
The Global Port Tracker provides historical data and forecasts from U.S. ports such as Los Angeles/Long Beach; Oakland, California; New York/New Jersey; Charleston, South Carolina; Miami and more.
