To avoid the new tariffs, consumer goods were imported earlier than usual, pushing New Year container throughput at the Port of Long Beach to a record high.

The port is the second busiest container gateway in the United States and is adjacent to the number one Port of Los Angeles in the SAN Pedro Bay complex in Southern California. According to the port, 952,733 20-foot equivalent units of containers were transported in January, up 41.4% from the same month last year and surpassing the previous record of 18.9% set in January 2022.

Imports surged 45 percent to 471,649 TEUs, the second-busiest month on record, as retailers brought forward shipments ahead of tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada.

Exports rose 14% to 98,655 TEUs. Empty containers, an indicator of future inbound traffic, surged 45.9 per cent to 382,430 TEUs.

Mario Cordero, CEO of the Port of Long Beach, said in a press release, "It is encouraging to have such a strong start to the year. Regardless of the uncertainties in our supply chain, we remain focused on improving our competitiveness and sustainability."

January marked the eighth consecutive month of year-over-year growth, with a record 9,649,724 TEUs of cargo shipped in 2024.