The Port of Los Angeles handled a record 1.04 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in September as holiday imports surged and global shipping routes shifted. Executive Director Gene Seroka said Friday that lower tariffs, high fuel costs, and Panama Canal restrictions helped boost activity at the nation's busiest container port.
The record came as total US container imports reached 2.55 million TEUs in September, according to supply-chain technology firm Descartes Systems. Import volumes offer insight into consumer spending, business inventories, and the impact of trade policies.
Loaded imports at Los Angeles reached 545,696 TEUs, up 19% from September 2025. Meanwhile, loaded exports rose 10% to 125,751 TEUs, while empty container moves reached a record 371,206 TEUs.
The gains pushed the port's cargo volume for the first nine months of 2026 to nearly 8.1 million TEUs. That total exceeded the same period last year by more than 3%.
Holiday shopping supplied an important source of demand. Retailers account for roughly half of container traffic. The National Retail Federation expects US retail sales to reach USD 5.6 trillion in 2026, up 4.4% from 2025.
Consumers have continued buying goods despite rising food and energy costs. At the same time, shipments linked to artificial intelligence projects have expanded, including cooling equipment for data centers.
Shipping routes also helped Los Angeles capture more business. Panama Canal restrictions encouraged some carriers serving Asia to move shipments from East Coast ports to the West Coast, Seroka said.
For goods leaving China, the West Coast provides a shorter ocean journey. Importers also favored shorter routes to reduce fuel expenses as energy costs climbed.
Meanwhile, US tariffs have eased from levels seen earlier this year and in 2025. Seroka said the lower rates gave importers clearer cost expectations and allowed them to restock inventories faster.
The port has recently handled more cargo than during the pandemic-era shipping boom without experiencing the same level of congestion. During that earlier disruption, more than 100 vessels waited offshore for entry. Vietnam has also become Los Angeles' second-largest trading partner after China. The change comes as firms reassess where they source products and arrange manufacturing.
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Seroka expects the port to handle around 900,000 TEUs in October, extending its strong run. He said most goods intended for holiday sales should arrive in the United States by November.
Cargo volumes usually ease at this point in the year, but Seroka expects October to remain busy. He said November and December are harder to predict, even with current shipping momentum.
Still, trade announcements from Washington could quickly change purchasing decisions and shipment plans. Seroka identified renewed uncertainty over US policy as a risk to the near-term outlook.
Shih, who discussed global supply chains alongside Seroka, said firms increasingly value flexibility rather than focusing only on the lowest costs. Businesses are reviewing where to buy materials, make goods, and send shipments.
Shih also pointed to growing specialization among countries and the transport links that connect suppliers with customers. Ports such as Los Angeles play a central role in moving those goods through global supply chains.
The Port of Los Angeles set a September cargo record as holiday demand, lower tariffs, and shipping changes lifted volumes. Strong imports pushed nine-month activity above last year's levels. October traffic should remain high, although potential trade policy changes and shifting supply chains could influence shipping activity through year-end.