Although January imports declined due to shippers front-loading cargo to avoid tariffs, the Port of Long Beach remains the busiest in the US, showcasing resilience amid ongoing trade policy ambiguities and shifting freight trends.
Imports through the Port of Long Beach slipped in January as shippers pulled some freight forward in the previous year to beat tariff changes, yet the California gateway retained its position as the nation’s busiest container port.
Port data show loaded import boxes fell 13.1% year‑on‑year to 409,818 twenty‑foot equivalent units (TEUs) in January, while total throughput for the month was 847,765 TEUs, an 11% decline from January 2025. Export volume was largely unchanged at 99,478 TEUs and empty container movements dropped 11.5% to 338,470 TEUs. According to TTNews, CEO Noel Hacegaba told reporters the port nonetheless led U.S. activity last month, outpacing the neighbouring Port of Los Angeles.
“Our strong cargo volumes do not suggest we are not being affected by tariffs,” Hacegaba said on Feb. 25, while noting steep year‑over‑year reductions in specific commodity categories: iron and steel tonnage down about 32%, toys and sports equipment off 15%, synthetic fibres down 43%, and salt, sulfur and cement down 21%.
The January slowdown follows an exceptionally busy start to 2025. Industry publications recorded that the Port of Long Beach handled a record 952,733 TEUs in January 2025 , a 41.4% jump on the prior year , as retailers accelerated imports amid expectations of higher duties. PortTechnology, Container‑News and AJOT reported that imports, exports and empty container flows all surged in that earlier month as businesses sought to move merchandise ahead of tariff changes.
Trade policy uncertainty has added to recent volatility. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Feb. 25 it could take "a couple months" for the administration to re‑establish the previous tariff framework after a Supreme Court ruling struck down a key element of the president’s global tariff plan. A 10% worldwide levy took effect on Feb. 24, and officials have provided limited detail about how or when the duty might be raised to 15% while maintaining exemptions for major trading partners, prolonging ambiguity for importers and ports alike.
Longer term context underscores the sector’s sensitivity to macroeconomic and policy swings. Data from Furniture Today show the port can also experience sharp downturns in weak demand cycles: January 2023 volumes fell dramatically compared with prior years amid softer consumer spending and higher prices.
Port officials have framed the recent month’s figures as evidence of underlying resilience. According to PortTechnology, Dr Noel Hacegaba emphasised the facility’s capacity and infrastructure to keep goods moving despite the uncertain trade backdrop. Industry analysts say the coming months will be shaped by how quickly trade policy is clarified and by shifting retailer inventory strategies, factors likely to determine whether throughput rebounds toward last year’s record levels or cools further.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article was published on February 26, 2026, and references events up to February 25, 2026. The data on January 2026 import volumes and tariff impacts are recent and have not been widely reported elsewhere, indicating freshness. However, similar trends have been reported in previous months, such as a 13% decline in January 2025 imports due to tariff concerns. ([ttnews.com](https://www.ttnews.com/articles/port-long-beach-imports-fall?utm_source=openai)) This suggests that while the specific data is fresh, the underlying trend is not new.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from CEO Noel Hacegaba regarding the port's performance and the impact of tariffs. These quotes are consistent with statements made in other recent reports, such as those from AJOT.com and Port Technology International. ([ajot.com](https://www.ajot.com/insights/full/ai-port-of-long-beachs-hacegaba-says-volume-down-11-in-january?utm_source=openai)) This consistency suggests the quotes are accurately attributed. However, the lack of direct attribution to the original sources raises concerns about the independence of the reporting.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The article is published by Transport Topics, a reputable industry publication. However, the reliance on a single source for the data and quotes, without cross-referencing with other independent sources, raises concerns about the comprehensiveness and potential biases in the reporting.
Plausibility check
Score:
8
Notes:
The reported decline in imports aligns with known impacts of recent trade policies and tariffs. The specific figures and trends reported are plausible and consistent with industry expectations. However, the lack of independent verification and the potential for selective reporting warrant caution.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
While the article presents plausible and timely information regarding the Port of Long Beach's import volumes and the impact of tariffs, the heavy reliance on a single source without independent verification raises concerns about the reliability and comprehensiveness of the reporting. The consistency of the quotes with other sources suggests accuracy, but the lack of cross-referencing with multiple independent sources diminishes confidence in the overall assessment.
