Trade moving through the Port of Long Beach declined 8.2% in May due to tariffs and retaliatory tariffs, but a temporary pause on those fees will likely trigger a cargo surge by late June.

Dockworkers and terminal operators processed 639,160 twenty-foot equivalent units in May at Port of Long Beach, down 8.2% from the same month last year.

Imports dropped 13.4% to 299,116 TEUs, and exports decreased 18.6% to 82,149 TEUs.

Meanwhile, empty containers moving through the Port rose 3.2% to 257,895 TEUs.

"We remain cautiously optimistic that import cargo will rebound at the end of June and into July just in time for the peak shipping season, when retailers stock the shelves with back-to-school supplies and begin preparations for the winter holidays," said Mario Cordero, chief executive officer at Port of Long Beach.

"While uncertainty remains for the business sector, the Port of Long Beach is continuing to invest in rail and terminal improvements to move cargo efficiently, safely and sustainably."

Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bonnie Lowenthal said it is monitoring the development of the new trade policies and the effects on the dockworkers and others across the supply chain.

"We are staying in close contact with our customers and other port stakeholders as they work to handle the ongoing changes in trade," Lowenthal added.

The Port has moved 4,042,228 TEUs during the first five months of 2025, up 17.2% from the same period in 2024.