A Recap of April: Tariffs, Global Port Volumes, Retail Sales, and More
The logistics and shipping world didn’t get much of a breather in April. From a flurry of new tariffs and shifting trade policies to surging port volumes and stronger-than-expected retail sales, the month kept shippers on high alert.
Much of this activity was driven by mounting tariff uncertainty, which led many importers to frontload shipments in anticipation of further policy swings. At the same time, major U.S. ports saw volume increases – particularly on the West Coast – while consumers continued to spend, potentially in an effort to beat price hikes.
In this blog, we dive deeper into the key developments from April: the fast-moving tariff changes, the latest global port performance, and retail trends that could influence shipping volumes in the months ahead.
Tariffs Take Center Stage
If you’ve been feeling like tariff headlines are everywhere lately, you’re not alone. Since early February, U.S. shippers have been navigating a whirlwind of changes, and April brought even more shakeups.
From new tariff rollouts to trade retaliation and temporary pauses, the month had it all. Here’s a breakdown of what happened, what’s coming next, and how it might impact your freight strategy.
April Highlights –
- April 2nd: A new Executive Order imposed a 25% tariff on autos and auto parts, unless compliant with USMCA.
- That same day, President Trump announced a reciprocal tariff plan:
- 10% baseline tariff on all countries (effective April 5th).
- Additional tariffs targeting countries with large trade imbalances (effective April 9th).
- In response, China imposed a 34% tariff on U.S. imports.
- The U.S. then raised its tariff on China to 84%, which China matched.
- April 9th: President Trump paused the reciprocal tariff plan for 90 days – keeping the 10% baseline for most countries, while tariffs on Chinese imports rose to 125% (145% in total, when including the other tariffs on China imports), with limited exemptions.
What’s The Latest?
- May 2nd: The de minimis exemption (for shipments under $800) no longer applies to goods from China and Hong Kong.
- Now, shipments under $800 are subject to a 54% tariff instead of the previous 120% that was implemented earlier.
- May 8th: A separate deal was struck with the United Kingdom:
- A 10% reciprocal tariff stays in place.
- Section 232 update: The first 100,000 vehicles imported from the U.K. annually will continue under the 10% rate. Anything beyond that will face a 25% tariff.
- May 12th: The U.S. and China reached a 90-day tariff pause agreement and rolled back select tariffs.
We expect pricing and capacity to shift quickly throughout the next few months, as the supply chain industry scrambles to rebound. If you’re wondering how this could affect your freight strategy, we’re here to help. Reach out: [email protected]
April Global Port Volumes
U.S. container imports in April were strong, rising 1.2% over March and 9.1% year-over-year, according to the latest Descartes Global Shipping Report. Monthly volumes reached 2,410,371 TEUs – surpassing 2.4 million for the second time this year – and marking the second highest April on record, 46,808 TEUs shy from the April 2022 peak, as Descartes indicates.
Now when it comes to imports from China, those jumped 5.4% month-over-month to 804,122 TEUs, per Descartes, amidst a 6.2% year-over-year increase. Why the surge? It likely reflects shipments being frontloaded as businesses try to stay ahead of continued tariff uncertainty.
How Did The Top Ten U.S. Ports Fare?
The top ten U.S. ports as classified by Descartes as: Los Angeles, Long Beach, New York/New Jersey, Savannah, Houston, Norfolk, Charleston, Oakland, Tacoma, Baltimore.
Collectively, they handled 52,963 more TEUs in April, which was a 2.7% increase from March. The West Coast saw the strongest gains, with Los Angeles up 13.9% and Long Beach up 12%, per Descartes data. In contrast, several East Coast ports experienced declines, including Savannah (-8.7%), Charleston (-6.7%), and Norfolk (-3.7).
Retail Sales See Solid Growth
April also saw continued strength in retail. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), U.S. retail sales (excluding autos and gas) were up 0.82% month-over-month and 6.76% year-over-year (unadjusted).
Some of that spending may be strategic – NRF analysts suggest that consumers are buying ahead to avoid potential price hikes tied to tariff changes.
What Can You Do Now?
April was anything but ordinary for global trade and logistics. With volatile tariff activity, rising port volumes, and resilient consumer demand, shippers found themselves navigating a rapidly shifting landscape. The flurry of frontloaded imports and evolving trade agreements are clear signs that many are trying to get ahead of potential disruptions, while others may be taking a ‘wait and see’ approach. As we move into the summer months, expect continued volatility – especially around international shipments and pricing. Staying informed and agile will be key. If you’re looking to adjust your freight strategy in response to these developments, our team is ready to help.
Whether you’re moving freight internationally or domestically in North America, our team specializes in building agile, forward-thinking logistics strategies that protect your business when market conditions shift.
Don’t wait for headlines to turn into headaches. Let’s build a proactive import strategy together. Shoot us an email at: [email protected] for any questions/comments.
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