The Port of Los Angeles (Port of LA), one of North America's busiest cargo ports, saw cargo volumes bounce back in June as shippers started frontloading holiday items ahead of possible tariff increases towards the end of the year.

The port handled 892,340 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) last month, 8% more than the previous year. 

This was also higher than the 716,619 TEUs that the port processed in May, which marked the first decline recorded in 10 months as the impact of new tariff measures began to make a dent.

Port of LA said last month's cargo performance was the "busiest June in the 117-year history of the Port of Los Angeles."

Peak season expected in July

"Some importers are bringing in year-end holiday cargo now ahead of potential higher tariffs later in the year," said Gene Seroka, executive director at Port of LA.

"July may be our peak season month as retailers and manufacturers bring orders in earlier than usual, then brace for trade uncertainty," he added.

Seroka went on to note that the Port of LA closed its fiscal year on June 30, ending the period handling 10.5 million TEUs.

"That marks our third fiscal year exceeding 10 million TEUs, the only Western Hemisphere port to do so. And this time we reached that mark without a single vessel backed up," the Port of LA executive director added.

 [Source: Port of Los Angeles]

June 2025 loaded imports came in at 470,450 TEUs, 10% more than last year. Meanwhile, Port of LA said loaded exports landed at 126,144 TEUs, a 3% improvement compared to the same period in 2024.

Port of LA processed 295,746 empty container units in June, 7% more than last year.

After six months in 2025, the Port of Los Angeles has handled 4,955,812TEUs, 5% more than the same period in 2024.