The Port of Long Beach recorded its strongest April on record, driven by an influx of frontloaded cargo arriving at U.S. ports.

It said that dockworkers and terminal operators moved 867,493 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in April, up 15.6% from the same month last year and surpassing the previous record set in April 2022 by 5.7%.

Month-on-month, April's performance was also higher than the 817,457 TEUs recorded in March, which was then up 25% from March 2024.

Container Trade Volumes in TEUs, April 2025  Source: Port of Long Beach

Imports in April grew 15.1% to 419,828 TEUs higher than the 380,562 TEUs in March and exports further decreased 4.5% to 93,842 TEUs from the 104,063 TEUs during the month prior.

Port of Long Beach said empty containers moving through the port jumped 23% to 353,824 TEUs in April.

Container Trade in TEUs, Fiscal Year to Date (April 2025)  Source: Port of Long Beach

Double-digit decline expected in May

Nonetheless, the Port of Long Beach warned that container traffic would see a steep drop this month as the US starts feeling the impact of increased tariff it announced earlier this year, particularly against China, one of its biggest trading partners.

"Following its strongest April on record and 11 consecutive months of cargo increases, the Port of Long Beach is preparing for a double-digit decline for shipments in May due to tariffs – and retaliatory tariffs – that were paused earlier this month," the port said in a statement.

Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero warned that the impact would soon reach consumers.

"After moving the most containerized cargo of any American port in the first quarter of 2025, we are now anticipating a more than 10% drop-off in imports in May – and the effects will be felt beyond the docks," he said.

"Soon, consumers could find fewer choices and higher prices on store shelves and the job market could see impacts, given the continuing uncertainty," he added.

Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bonnie Lowenthal added, "Even as the biggest tariffs were paused, we still should brace for the effects of tariffs following 11 straight months of cargo growth."

"As we monitor these dynamic changes in trade, the Port of Long Beach will continue to invest in rail and terminal improvements that will allow us to move cargo efficiently, safely and sustainably."

The Port has moved 3,403,069 TEUs during the first four months of 2025, a 23.6% increase from the same period in 2024.