State of U.S. Imports: Q1 2026
U.S. ocean import activity from January 2026 through March 2026, from U.S. Customs bill of lading records.
Sourced from U.S. Customs bill of lading data · Updated monthly · Data through August 2026
Key findings
- U.S. ocean imports totaled 3,576,101 shipments in Q1 2026, up 46.4% versus Q4 2025 and up 23.8% year-over-year.
- The highest-volume import category was Lavatory seats and covers (HS 392220), with 79,165 shipments (+224.8% quarter-over-quarter).
- The fastest-growing high-volume category was Other polyesters, other (HS 390799), up 2088.1% from the prior quarter to 54,441 shipments.
- The steepest decline among high-volume categories was Apparatus based on the use of X-rays or of alpha, beta, gamma or other ionizing radiation… (HS 902230), down 26.8% quarter-over-quarter.
- CHINA was the largest origin country with 2,219,403 shipments — 62.1% of all U.S. ocean imports.
- The busiest U.S. port of entry was LONG BEACH, CA, receiving 1,548,307 shipments.
- The largest importer by shipment count was IKEA SUPPLY AG, with 25,764 shipments.
Shipments
3,576,101
Containers
4,511,733
Quarter over quarter
+46.4%
vs Q4 2025
Year over year
+23.8%
vs Q1 2025
Monthly shipment volume
1,168,741January 2026
1,131,407February 2026
1,275,953March 2026
Top import categories
| Product (HS code) | Shipments | QoQ |
|---|---|---|
| Lavatory seats and covers392220 | 79,165 | +224.8% |
| Box files, letter trays, storage boxes and similar articles, of a kind used in offices, shops or the like481960 | 56,393 | +162.5% |
| Other polyesters, other390799 | 54,441 | +2088.1% |
| Waste and scrap of stainless steel720421 | 49,966 | +443.3% |
| Storage heating radiators851621 | 44,166 | +130.5% |
| HS 540410540410 | 37,395 | N/A |
| Teleferics, chair lifts, ski draglines842860 | 30,369 | +31.2% |
| Waste, parings and scrap, of other plastics391590 | 30,181 | +195.5% |
| HS 761511761511 | 29,051 | N/A |
| HS 551332551332 | 28,121 | +295.3% |
Fastest growing
| Product (HS code) | Shipments | QoQ |
|---|---|---|
| Other polyesters, other390799 | 54,441 | +2088.1% |
| Polymers of propylene or of other olefins, in primary forms, polypropylene390210 | 19,662 | +912.5% |
| Overhead traveling cranes on fixed support842611 | 15,688 | +617.7% |
| HS 850920850920 | 9,903 | +459.8% |
| Waste and scrap of stainless steel720421 | 49,966 | +443.3% |
Steepest declines
| Product (HS code) | Shipments | QoQ |
|---|---|---|
| Apparatus based on the use of X-rays or of alpha, beta, gamma or other ionizing radiations, whether or not for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary uses, including radiography or radiotherapy apparatus, X-ray tubes and other X-ray generators, high tension generators, control panels and desks, screens, examination or treatment tables, chairs and the like, x-ray tubes902230 | 24,849 | -26.8% |
| Briefs and panties of cotton610821 | 5,262 | -18.2% |
| Furniture of plastics940370 | 10,995 | -14.1% |
| D-Glucitol (Sorbitol)290544 | 5,545 | -14.1% |
| HS 080300080300 | 16,416 | -11.0% |
Among categories with at least 1,000 shipments this quarter and 500 the prior quarter, across the 100 highest-volume HS codes.
Top origin countries
| Country | Shipments | QoQ |
|---|---|---|
| CHINA | 2,219,403 | +105.2% |
| VIET NAM | 155,181 | +0.6% |
| INDIA | 109,152 | +9.9% |
| REPUBLIC OF KOREA | 87,734 | +3.5% |
| GERMANY | 82,218 | -5.3% |
| ITALY | 61,817 | -13.5% |
| THAILAND | 60,513 | +2.4% |
| TAIWAN | 57,435 | -2.2% |
| JAPAN | 47,441 | -2.3% |
| INDONESIA | 37,081 | +1.7% |
Busiest U.S. ports
| Port of entry | Shipments | QoQ |
|---|---|---|
| LONG BEACH, CA | 1,548,307 | +265.4% |
| LOS ANGELES, CA | 421,318 | -6.7% |
| NEW YORK/NEWARK AREA, NEWARK, NJ | 407,757 | -0.4% |
| SAVANNAH, GA | 180,989 | +6.0% |
| HOUSTON, TX | 163,044 | +6.7% |
| NORFOLK, VA | 112,497 | +4.9% |
| TACOMA, WA | 95,993 | -1.7% |
| CHARLESTON, SC | 78,054 | +3.6% |
| MIAMI, FL | 69,315 | -0.4% |
| OAKLAND, CA | 65,990 | -1.0% |
Largest importers
| Importer | Shipments |
|---|---|
| IKEA SUPPLY AG | 25,764 |
| DOLE FRESH FRUIT COMPANY | 15,045 |
| HOME DEPOT USA | 8,849 |
| OLD NAVY LLC | 8,574 |
| WAL MART INC | 7,059 |
| SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS AMERICA INC | 6,615 |
| SOL GROUP | 6,061 |
| TMALL INC | 5,823 |
| TESLA INC | 5,113 |
| WALMART INC | 4,946 |
Largest suppliers
| Supplier | Shipments |
|---|---|
| AUGUST AMBER HK LIMITED | 1,162,868 |
| HONGKONG MILLEY LIMITED | 7,384 |
| UNION DE BANANEROS ECUATORIANOS S A | 5,590 |
| ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD | 3,895 |
| PT MAERSK LOGISTICS INDONESIA | 3,885 |
| SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD | 3,820 |
| SAILUN GROUP | 3,657 |
| REFAT GARMENTS LTD | 3,606 |
| SEACO SHIPPING SA | 3,485 |
| NCL BAHAMAS LTD | 2,949 |
Methodology & citation
Figures are counts of U.S. Customs bill of lading records for ocean freight arriving at U.S. ports between January 2026 and March 2026. Product categories are 6-digit Harmonized System subheadings. Quarter-over-quarter compares Q4 2025, year-over-year compares Q1 2025. Shipment counts are records, not TEU or customs value.
This report is free to cite with attribution: “ImportDoor, State of U.S. Imports: Q1 2026 — U.S. Customs bill of lading data”, linked to this page.