U.S. Container Imports Face Headwinds from Fuel Costs and Tariffs

Ongoing trade tensions and rising energy prices cloud the outlook for container cargo volumes at major U.S. ports.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 6:04pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract illustration composed of overlapping triangles, rectangles, and circles in shades of blue, red, and yellow, conceptually representing the economic factors disrupting the flow of containerized imports into the United States.Geometric shapes and colors illustrate the complex economic forces pressuring U.S. container imports.NYC Today

U.S. container imports are under pressure from a combination of tariffs and rising fuel prices, even as the conflict involving Iran has not yet significantly disrupted cargo volumes moving through the nation's major ports, according to the latest Global Port Tracker report. Trade policy remains the biggest immediate drag on import demand, with retailers navigating a temporary 10% global tariff and other duties. While the Strait of Hormuz crisis has not materially slowed U.S. containerized imports so far, the broader global supply chain is still exposed through higher bunker costs, equipment imbalances, vessel rerouting, and weaker consumer spending power as gasoline prices rise.

Why it matters

The report highlights how broader economic and geopolitical factors, from trade wars to energy shocks, can create ripple effects throughout the global logistics network and ultimately impact U.S. consumers. Even if certain regions are not directly involved in the supply chain, disruptions anywhere can drive up shipping costs and reduce consumer purchasing power.

The details

The report from the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates says the biggest immediate drag on import demand remains trade policy, with retailers continuing to navigate a temporary 10% global tariff announced by President Donald Trump last month, along with changes to Section 232 duties on metals and new tariffs on pharmaceutical products and ingredients. While the Strait of Hormuz crisis has not materially slowed U.S. containerized imports, the broader global supply chain is still exposed through higher bunker costs, equipment imbalances, vessel rerouting, and weaker consumer spending power as gasoline prices rise.

  • U.S. ports tracked by Global Port Tracker handled 1.95 million TEU in February, down 7.5% from January and 4.2% from the same month a year earlier.
  • March is projected to see import volumes of 1.97 million TEU, down 8.3% year-over-year.
  • April is forecast at 2.08 million TEU, down 5.6% year-over-year.
  • May is forecast at 2.09 million TEU, up 7.3% year-over-year.
  • June is forecast at 2.1 million TEU, up 6.9% year-over-year.

The players

National Retail Federation

A trade association representing the retail industry in the United States.

Hackett Associates

A global trade and transportation consulting firm that publishes the Global Port Tracker report.

Jonathan Gold

Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy at the National Retail Federation.

Ben Hackett

Founder of Hackett Associates.

President Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States who announced a temporary 10% global tariff.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Just because retailers don't import a lot of merchandise from the Middle East doesn't mean the U.S. supply chain isn't affected by the turmoil there.”

— Jonathan Gold, Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy, National Retail Federation

“The United States is less impacted operationally as there is no shortage of fuel at U.S. ports, but the price of fuel here is based on international pricing. Higher fuel costs drive up the price of shipping a container for either import or export and ultimately have an inflationary impact on consumers and other end users.”

— Ben Hackett, Founder, Hackett Associates

What’s next

The report noted that the year-over-year gains expected in May and June are largely a comparison effect tied to the sharp falloff in imports during those months in 2025 after the announcement of 'Liberation Day' tariffs. The takeaway for retailers is that Iran-related turmoil has not yet delivered a direct hit to U.S. import flows, but the longer the energy shock lasts, the more likely it is to show up in freight bills and, eventually, on store shelves.

The takeaway

This report highlights how broader economic and geopolitical factors, from ongoing trade tensions to energy market disruptions, can create ripple effects throughout the global supply chain and ultimately impact U.S. consumers through higher prices and reduced purchasing power. Even if certain regions are not directly involved in the supply chain, disruptions anywhere can drive up shipping costs and squeeze consumer budgets.