U.S. ports processed 2,603,709 twenty-foot equivalent units in August, making it the third-busiest month for inbound containers on record, behind May 2022 and July 2025. Imports rose 3.8% from July, 3.3% from August a year earlier and 21.5% from the pre-pandemic August 2019 benchmark. China remained the largest source with 884,318 TEUs, although its share slipped to 34% from 34.8% in July as Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia gained ground. Eight of the 10 largest U.S. ports recorded increases, including New York/Newark, Savannah and Long Beach. The Port of Los Angeles handled more than 2.9 million TEUs from June through August, its busiest three-month period on record. Year-to-date imports through August were down 0.4% from the same period in 2025. Descartes Systems Group said the elevated volumes reflected sustained demand alongside continuing trade risks, while retailers had accelerated holiday shipments to manage tariff and fuel-cost pressures.