On August 27, Descartes Datamine released statistical data for July, based on U.S. Customs and Bill of Lading (B/L) data, showing the volume of outbound ocean container cargo from Japan to the United States in 20-foot equivalent units.
<Trends in Container Cargo Volume from Japan to the United States (Based on Receiving Location) October 2023 - October 2025>
According to the data, shipments from Japan to the United States in October (based on outbound and destination) totaled 53,298 TEU, a decrease of 8.6% from the previous year. Compared to the previous month, August and September saw double-digit declines for two consecutive months, but this month saw a double-digit increase, resulting in a 2.4% decrease for the year as a whole. The 26.7% increase compared to the previous month is likely due to a rebound effect.
<Based on Japan receiving location vs. Direct shipping/TS ratio>
Transshipment cargo to third countries totaled 15,743 TEU, a 5.2% increase year-on-year (9.4% increase in South Korea, 22.5% increase in China, 1.8% increase in Taiwan, and a 73.7% decrease in Singapore), and the cumulative total increased by 9.1% year-on-year. The transshipment rate was 29.5%, the lowest in the 20% range since March, but the annual total was 34.6%.
<TEU for direct sailing from mother ship departing from Japan/by Japanese port>
Based on shipments from Japan to mother ships, the total was 37,707 TEU, a 13.3% decrease compared to the previous year. The annual total was down 7.6% compared to the previous year. The increase in TS cargo was offset by a decrease in direct shipments to mother ships.
<Trends in cargo volume by item (HS Code) based on Japanese receiving locations>
Looking at the volume of cargo received in Japan by statistical commodity code, automotive-related goods increased by 5.2% year-on-year, machinery, mainly agricultural and construction machinery, decreased by 16.9% year-on-year, rubber products increased by 1.0% year-on-year, plastic products decreased by 14.0% year-on-year, and electrical goods decreased by 3.4%.
The automotive-related cargo exceeding 12,000 TEU is the first time this has happened since March 2025, and it's the first time in 22 months, since December 2023, that it has surpassed machinery cargo. Looking at the breakdown of automotive-related cargo, there has been an increase in direct shipments of Toyota-related cargo loaded in Nagoya.
On an annual basis, the automotive sector, which was heavily impacted by Trump's tariffs, fell by 7.7%, and machinery by 6.3%, resulting in an overall decrease of 2.4% compared to the previous year. On the other hand, rubber products increased by 2.6% and electrical products by 4.1%, appearing to be unaffected by the US tariff policy.
■Report analysis team and contact information
Descartes datamine
Datamyne Japan, Kunihiko Shimizu
TEL：090-6509-2632
URL:https://www.datamyne.ne.jp/
Email: kshimizu@datamyne.jp
