Tariff Rush Drives Record June Cargo Volume at LA Port, With Steep Declines Expected Post-August

Key Data & Trends

Record Volumes:

• June 2025: 892,340 TEUs (7.8% YoY ↑)

• Imports: 470,450 TEUs (+9.8%)

• Exports: 126,000 TEUs (+3.0%)

• Empty Containers: 296,000 TEUs (+7.0%)

• FY2024–25: 10.5M TEUs (3rd straight year >10M TEUs)

Tariff Windfall:

• June US Customs Revenue: $27B (+301% YoY)

• FY2025 Total: $100B+ (first-ever) from "reciprocal tariffs"

Why the June Surge?

⚡ Pre-Tariff Panic Buying:

• Importers stocked up on holiday goods before August 1 deadlines for new tariffs:

• 30% on EU/Mexico

• 50% on Brazil

• 35% on Canada

• Small Importer Quote: "I feel stabbed by my own government"

What’s Next?:

• July: Final surge (7 extra ships added)

• August+: "Imports will plummet as retailers avoid overstocking" – Port of LA

• Consumer Impact: Prices to rise in 3–6 weeks for non-essential goods

Global Fallout & Warnings

Trade Tensions Escalate:

• Trump’s "tariff blasts" target 20+ nations, using duties as negotiation leverage.

• Analyst Warning: "30% EU tariffs would cripple transatlantic trade" – Lars Jensen, Vespucci Maritime

Shipper Alert:

• GSF Advisory: Ignore social media; verify tariffs via:

1. U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (official HS code updates)

2. Federal Register (legal notices)