As global trade faces uncertainty, companies are preparing for potential new tariffs by making strategic adjustments to their supply chains. One strategy is front loading - accelerating shipments to get ahead of tariff impositions. In this analysis, we explore shipment volume booking trends for containerized cargo entering the US by booking entry date from January 2022 to the present, identifying patterns that suggest proactive measures to this approach. The data is powered by TradeView with coverage across 190+ countries. 

By understanding these trends and overlaying insights with estimated and actual arrival data, we aim to shed light on how businesses are adapting to tariff pressures with a leading indicator of when goods will arrive to the US. Whether you're navigating supply chain challenges or seeking to understand industry market shifts, this summary provides a comprehensive look into the data funneling imports into the US.

Key Findings: 

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Trends Overall - We see a continual year-over-year increase in weekly bookings following a decline during the week of the ILA East and Gulf Coast port strike. The increase has been more pronounced since the US Presidential election for overall imports, representing a steady growth that began in July 2023 and has not slowed. Among US ports, the Port of New York (USNYC) has experienced the largest increase in average weekly bookings.

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China Trade Lane Trends - Although all trade lanes continue to show year-over-year weekly booking increases, West Coast ports have experienced a decline beginning on November 10th (35K weekly bookings avg decrease to 32K), while East Coast (21K weekly bookings avg. increase to 23K) and Gulf Coast (5.5K weekly bookings avg increase to 6.5K) ports have show marginal increases.

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Example Front Loading Behaviors - Walmart has increased bookings consistently each week beginning the 3rd week of September. Columbia Sportswear has shown consistent higher year-over-year bookings each week since the US Presidential election. 

‍US Import Shipment Volumes (January 2022-Present Day) 

This interactive line chart illustrates the year-over-year 7-day average of US import shipment booking volumes, providing a comparative view of bookings from January 1, 2022, to the present, and the ability to view arrivals 30 to 90 days into future.

‍Arrived+Future Arrivals US Shipment Volumes (January 2022-Present Day)

This interactive line chart illustrates the year-over-year 7-day average of US shipment arrival + estimated arrival volumes, providing a comparative view of shipment arrivals from January 1, 2022, to the present, and estimated arrivals into 2025. 

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