Typically, this is the time of year when shipments into the U.S. are peaking ahead of the holidays, but 2025 is a different story. As Chinese exports continue to plunge , overall freight trade to the U.S. has slowed to a crawl.

Imports from China have faced three straight weeks of 27% year-over-year declines, according to data from Vizion, and the latest ocean freight bookings data shows that a traditional rush of freight containers into the country in late September is not likely to materialize.

"Normally, we would expect a peak starting from the last week of September ahead of Golden Week," said Catherine Chien, chairwoman of global shipping and logistics company Dimerco Express Group. Golden Week is a major holiday week in China during which many businesses are closed. "So far, ther

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