Port of Los Angeles sees June import rebound ahead of holiday season

Imports to the busiest US seaport in Los Angeles rebounded strongly in June as retailers moved to stock up on goods for the holiday shopping season amid fears of higher tariffs.

The Port of Los Angeles handled 470,450 TEU of incoming cargo last month after the US reached a tariff truce with China. That was almost 10 per cent higher than a year ago and contributed to record total volume for the month, Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said.

The June surge, "highlights the tariff whipsaw effect" from US tariff policy, Seroka said. Last month's result was up 32 per cent from May, when short-lived 145 per cent import duties on China pummeled that trade.

"We're seeing a peak season push right now to bring in goods ahead of potentially higher tariffs later this summer," he said, noting that year-end holiday cargo orders should already be in with China manufacturers.

"What's going to be on its way is what we're going to get. It's too late to try to negotiate orders at this point in time for that year-end product."

Due to potential tariff increases and order timing, US ocean imports are likely to start dropping later this summer. The National Retail Federation (NRF) has forecast double-digit percentage declines in US imports from August through November.

President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to impose a 30 per cent tariff on imports from Mexico and the European Union beginning August 1.

Los Angeles-based Yedi Houseware already has raised prices about 10 per cent per cent and absorbed the rest of the tariff cost, President Bobby Djavaheri said.

The company supplies China-made air fryers, rice cookers and other kitchen goods to retailers including TJ Maxx and Ross Dress for Less. Like many others, it is prioritizing products, referred to as stock keeping units (SKUs), that sell quickly and reap the highest profits.

When it comes to Yedi's small electronics, "half of the SKUs won't be available this year," Djavaheri said.

(Reporting by Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles; Editing by Leslie Adler)