The Port of Los Angeles has reported its busiest June in 117 years, driven by importers racing to move goods ahead of President Donald Trumps new tariff deadlines.

According to port officials, 892,340 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) were processed in June, fueled by holiday orders and consumer product replenishment. This 8% year-over-year increase highlights the “tariff whipsaw effect”, with shipping volumes surging ahead of Trump’s mid-August deadline for new tariffs on Chinese goods, which could reach 145% if negotiations fail.

“Shifting timelines simply mean shifting volume and more uncertainty here at the Port of LA,”

said Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles.

Tariffs Driving Import Behavior

Trade Surges Before Deadline – U.S. manufacturing orders from China surged in June, contributing to China’s $114.7 billion trade surplus last month.

Costs Soar for Importers – Businesses face skyrocketing import bills.

Bobby Djavaheri, President of Yedi Houseware, said: “Before tariffs, one load cost $1,500–$2,000. Now it’s $40,000–$50,000.”

Retailers Getting Selective – Many U.S. importers are prioritizing essentials like back-to-school products while delaying non-essential shipments.

Shippers Face Tight Schedules and Rising Risks

With ocean freight taking 20–30 days to reach U.S. ports, even with extended deadlines, many businesses are forced to:

Accelerate shipments from China and Southeast Asia

Shift to costly air freight to meet deadlines

Diversify supply chains to countries like Vietnam, though components often still come from China

Mike Short, President of Global Freight Forwarding at C.H. Robinson, noted that traditional peak season volumes are unlikely this year due to inventory management strategies and tariff uncertainty.

Supply Chains in Transition

Logistics providers are reconfiguring routes and timelines as companies relocate parts of their production:

Josh Allen, CCO of ITS Logistics, emphasized the dynamic sourcing landscape: “When a company’s manufacturing base changes to a new country, ocean travel times and U.S. port destinations often shift. We are responding in real time.”

Fashion brand Bogg has moved partial production to Vietnam to offset tariffs, but core raw materials and molds remain China-dependent. CEO Kim Vaccarella said: “Everything is up in the air because of all the uncertainty. We are cautious with new orders and pricing decisions.”

The Bigger Picture: Tariffs and Trade Uncertainty

Trump’s aggressive tariff strategy is reshaping U.S. import behavior:

Tariffs on Vietnamese goods could rise to 30%, with 40% penalties on transshipments—goods that start production in China and are completed elsewhere.

Retailers face volatile pricing and planning challenges, with some raising prices temporarily to absorb costs.