U.S. Container Imports from Asia Rise 17.5%; China Rebounds While Vietnam Extends Growth Streak

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According to the latest analysis by Descartes Datamyne, based on records from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), containerized imports from Asia into the United States totaled 1.75 million TEUs in May 2026, representing a 17.5% increase compared with the same month last year and an 8.7% rise from April.

Across the broader market, total U.S. container imports reached 2.43 million TEUs in May, up 11.6% year-on-year.

However, on a cumulative basis, imports from the United States’ ten largest Asian trading partners totaled 8.3 million TEUs during the first five months of 2026, down slightly by 0.2% compared with the same period last year. The results highlight growing divergence among the region’s major sourcing markets.

China Rebounds Strongly, Vietnam Retains Second Position

The strong growth recorded in May was driven primarily by China's recovery. Container imports from China reached 931,106 TEUs, an increase of 32.3% compared with May 2025.

This marks the first month of positive year-on-year growth for China following 13 consecutive months of decline, indicating a gradual recovery in import demand on the Trans-Pacific trade lane.

Meanwhile, Vietnam continued to strengthen its position as the second-largest source of goods for the U.S. market in Asia. Container imports from Vietnam reached 258,135 TEUs in May, up 17.4% year-on-year.

Notably, Vietnam has now recorded 32 consecutive months of growth in containerized exports to the United States, further reinforcing its increasingly important role within global supply chains.

Elsewhere in Southeast Asia, Thailand also posted strong performance, with container imports into the U.S. rising 32% to 73,126 TEUs.

Several Asian Markets Recorded Declines

In contrast to the growth seen in China and Vietnam, several other Asian markets experienced lower export volumes to the United States in May.

Container imports from South Korea declined 9% to 187,193 TEUs, while imports from India fell 3.4% to 75,807 TEUs.

Among the top ten Asian export partners, Japan recorded the steepest decline. U.S. container imports from Japan totaled just 27,899 TEUs in May, down 18.9% compared with the same period last year.

The mixed performance across Asian markets suggests that global supply chain realignment and sourcing diversification efforts remain ongoing. Vietnam, in particular, continues to be one of the key beneficiaries of U.S. importers’ strategies to diversify sourcing beyond traditional supply bases.

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Source: Phaata.com (According to Container News)

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