Ocean cargo bookings for shipments from China to the United States have surged sharply in recent weeks following the announcement of a temporary pause in punitive tariffs, according to container booking and tracking data analysed by industry observers. The increase is seen as a direct response to eased tariff pressure and growing demand ahead of the peak shipping season.
Data from market analytics platforms show that U.S. container booking volumes from China rose by nearly 300 % over a recent seven‑day period compared with the week prior to the tariff pause — climbing to more than 21,000 twenty‑foot equivalent units (TEUs) from just over 5,700 in early May. This dramatic uptick follows a period in which many importers had delayed shipments amid uncertainty over planned tariff hikes.
The tariff moratorium, agreed by the two governments as part of broader negotiations, has encouraged some importers to restart purchasing and shipping activity, easing a lull that followed tariff escalations earlier in 2025. Shipping industry analysts and carriers have reported increased booking activity and early signs of peak‑season momentum as companies aim to secure capacity under the temporary trade terms.
Industry sources note that this rebound underscores the sensitivity of global ocean container flows to trade policy shifts. Carriers and logistics providers are closely monitoring developments as businesses recalibrate plans and supply chains adjust to both near‑term tariff relief and longer‑term uncertainties in U.S.–China trade relations.
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