The two major container ports on the U.S. West Coast both set all-time monthly cargo records in September, handling a combined 2.04 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), including more than 1.05 million TEUs of loaded imports. The figures reflect strong retailer restocking and shifting routing strategies.
What Happened
The Port of Long Beach handled 997,177 TEUs in September, up 25% year over year and surpassing its previous record of 987,191 TEUs set in October 2024, making it the busiest month in the port's 115-year history. Loaded imports rose 31.3% to 509,390 TEUs, exports increased 7.8% to 91,747 TEUs, and empty container movements climbed 22.1% to 396,040 TEUs.
The Port of Los Angeles handled 1,042,652 TEUs in September, the highest monthly total in its 118-year history. Loaded imports rose 19% to 545,696 TEUs, exports were 125,751 TEUs, and empties totaled approximately 371,206 TEUs, all higher than a year earlier.
Together the neighboring ports moved 2,039,829 TEUs. Long Beach said shippers continue to rely on it as a dependable partner, driving the record month. Both ports reported handling the higher volumes without the congestion seen during the pandemic.
Background
Port officials attributed the strong performance to several factors: resilient consumer demand, lower U.S. tariffs, and shippers seeking alternatives to routes affected by Panama Canal restrictions and security concerns around the Suez Canal. High diesel prices have also made the shorter transpacific route to the U.S. West Coast more attractive.
The National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates projected in their Global Port Tracker report released October 8 that imports at major U.S. container ports would ease from 2.3 million TEUs in August to 2.28 million TEUs in September, then 2.25 million TEUs in October and 2 million TEUs in November. NRF's vice president for supply chain and customs policy said that even with fluctuations in final data, the busiest part of the year is likely over.
Through the first nine months of 2026, Long Beach handled 7,675,255 TEUs, up 3.9% year over year, while Los Angeles processed nearly 8.1 million TEUs, more than 3% ahead of last year's pace.
Impact on Shippers
For sellers exporting from China to the U.S., record volumes at West Coast ports mean terminals and rail connections remain under heavy load in the near term. Although no significant congestion has emerged, concentrated arrivals at the tail end of peak season could lengthen queues for container pickup, return, and rail transfer, creating volatility in last-mile delivery times.
On cost, high volumes typically support transpacific West Coast rates, limiting room for sharp declines in the short term, while elevated diesel prices push up inland trucking costs in the U.S. On customs clearance, concentrated import arrivals may add uncertainty to inspection and release times, so shippers should build in more buffer.
Recommendations
Shippers should plan shipment timing based on NRF's forecast of declining import volumes in October and November, avoiding a late-peak rush; confirm container pickup and warehouse delivery appointments with overseas warehouses or truckers in advance; verify customs documents and commodity classifications to reduce inspection delays; and consider earlier stocking or diversifying entry ports for time-sensitive cargo.