Monthly trade report
United States imports: February 2026
Imports into the United States totaled 37.7 million tonnes in February 2026, down 14.3% from January 2026 and down 13.5% from February 2025, according to US bill of lading data (CBP ocean manifests) compiled by CargoFax.
- Import weight, February 2026
- 37.7 million tonnes
- vs January 2026
- -14.3%
- vs February 2025
- -13.5%
February import weight fell to its lowest level since January 2025
At 37.7 million tonnes, US ocean imports in February 2026 were the lightest of any month since January 2025. Weight fell 14.3% from January and 13.5% from February 2025, and the number of shipment records fell 12.5%. The decline was broad: mineral fuels and oils (HS 27), machinery (HS 84), and salt, stone, and cement (HS 25) all reached their lowest monthly levels since January 2025.
Crude petroleum (HS 2709) fell another 9.5% to 4.83 million tonnes. Nitrogen fertilizers (HS 3102) gave back almost all of January's gain, down 49.5% to 395,815 tonnes. A few lines rose against the trend: direct-reduced iron (HS 7203) climbed 78.6% to 394,336 tonnes, its highest monthly level since January 2025 and a third consecutive increase.
China supplied 22.3% of the weight, though its 8.41 million tonnes was its lowest monthly level since January 2025. Canada declined for a sixth consecutive month, to 2.02 million tonnes, and Mexico for a fifth. Venezuela moved the other way, rising for a third month to 690,995 tonnes.
For January and February combined, imports totaled 81.7 million tonnes, 13.3% less than in the same two months of 2025.
What the data shows: February was a low month across most product groups and suppliers, not just fuels. Whether the year-to-date gap with 2025 narrows will depend on the spring months; the data does not show why volumes eased.
Month at a glance
| Metric | February 2026 | January 2026 | Change | February 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (tonnes) | 37,725,588 | 44,003,300 | -14.3% | 43,633,936 | -13.5% |
| Records | 1,359,350 | 1,553,712 | -12.5% | 1,767,759 | -23.1% |
| Importers | 115,135 | 128,036 | -10.1% | 159,243 | -27.7% |
How does the month compare with the last three months, the quarter, and the year?
| Period | Total | Prior period | vs prior period | Same period last year | vs same period last year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quarter to date Jan – Feb '26 | 81,728,888 | 88,962,049 Oct – Nov '25 | -8.1% | 94,228,987 | -13.3% |
| Year to date Jan – Feb '26 | 81,728,888 | 94,228,987 Jan – Feb '25 | -13.3% | 94,228,987 | -13.3% |
What did the United States import in February 2026?
By HS chapter
| HS | Category | Weight (tonnes) | Share | vs Jan 2026 | vs Feb 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | Mineral fuels and oils | 6,361,038 | 16.9% | -14.6% | -13.9% |
| 39 | Plastics | 2,617,956 | 6.9% | -12.9% | +1.8% |
| 84 | Machinery and computers | 2,582,184 | 6.8% | -14.7% | -12.9% |
| 25 | Salt, stone, and cement | 2,562,665 | 6.8% | -26.6% | -6.2% |
| 72 | Iron and steel | 1,755,754 | 4.7% | +7.3% | +0.8% |
| 44 | Wood | 1,616,758 | 4.3% | -20.1% | -19.4% |
| 94 | Furniture and lighting | 1,320,818 | 3.5% | -8.7% | -4.9% |
| 87 | Vehicles and parts | 1,263,134 | 3.3% | -13.2% | -20.1% |
| 08 | Fruit and nuts | 991,084 | 2.6% | -16.1% | -15.7% |
| 73 | Iron and steel articles | 860,768 | 2.3% | -10.4% | -64.2% |
By product (HS4)
| HS | Product | Weight (tonnes) | Share | vs Jan 2026 | vs Feb 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2709 | Crude petroleum | 4,826,951 | 12.8% | -9.5% | -18.5% |
| 2710 | Refined petroleum fuels | 1,122,369 | 3.0% | -12.1% | +13.6% |
| 3921 | Plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip n.e.c. in... | 1,098,929 | 2.9% | -12.7% | +14.0% |
| 8415 | Air conditioning machines | 1,058,041 | 2.8% | -15.0% | -26.5% |
| 9401 | Seats (not those of heading no. 9402), whether or not... | 698,169 | 1.9% | -9.5% | -13.6% |
| 2501 | Salt (including table salt and denatured salt) | 691,014 | 1.8% | -7.0% | +48.9% |
| 2523 | Portland cement, aluminous cement (ciment fondu), slag... | 564,559 | 1.5% | +7.9% | +19.0% |
| 4415 | Packing cases, boxes, crates, drums and similar... | 547,843 | 1.5% | -19.5% | -24.5% |
| 9403 | Furniture and parts thereof, n.e.c. in chapter 94 | 538,006 | 1.4% | -7.2% | +8.3% |
| 8708 | Vehicle parts and accessories | 461,562 | 1.2% | -16.0% | -1.2% |
What went up, what went down
Biggest increases
Granules and powders, of pig iron, spiegeleisen, iron or... (HS 7205) added 174,000 tonnes compared with January 2026, more than any other product heading.
| HS | Product | Prior month | This month | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7205 | Granules and powders, of pig iron, spiegeleisen, iron or... | 19,451 | 193,920 | +174,469 | +897.0% |
| 7203 | Ferrous products obtained by direct reduction of iron... | 220,824 | 394,336 | +173,512 | +78.6% |
| 2504 | Natural | 138,067 | 255,427 | +117,360 | +85.0% |
| 2618 | Granulated slag (slag sand) from the manufacture of iron... | 137,836 | 250,664 | +112,828 | +81.9% |
| 3105 | Mixed fertilizers | 124,897 | 192,663 | +67,766 | +54.3% |
Biggest decreases
Crude petroleum (HS 2709) had the largest decline, 504,000 tonnes less than in January 2026.
| HS | Product | Prior month | This month | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2709 | Crude petroleum | 5,330,854 | 4,826,951 | -503,902 | -9.5% |
| 3102 | Nitrogen fertilizers | 783,260 | 395,815 | -387,445 | -49.5% |
| 2515 | Marble, travertine, ecaussine and other calcareous stone | 347,250 | 59,246 | -288,004 | -82.9% |
| 2516 | Granite, porphyry, basalt, sandstone, other monumental... | 344,418 | 95,035 | -249,382 | -72.4% |
| 2711 | Natural gas and LPG | 319,244 | 90,403 | -228,842 | -71.7% |
Where did the United States' imports come from?
| Origin | Weight (tonnes) | Share | vs Jan 2026 | vs Feb 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 8,411,919 | 22.3% | -10.9% | -17.4% |
| South Korea | 3,163,056 | 8.4% | -11.0% | -6.8% |
| Vietnam | 2,134,626 | 5.7% | -8.2% | -13.8% |
| Canada | 2,023,976 | 5.4% | -24.2% | -6.5% |
| Mexico | 1,544,092 | 4.1% | -20.4% | -39.7% |
| Colombia | 1,034,745 | 2.7% | -29.4% | -8.2% |
| India | 962,959 | 2.6% | -22.7% | -13.1% |
| Germany | 944,929 | 2.5% | +2.1% | -7.6% |
| Bahamas | 938,937 | 2.5% | +26.1% | +93.2% |
| Japan | 842,397 | 2.2% | +8.2% | +8.5% |
Ports of entry
| Port | Weight (tonnes) | Share | vs Jan 2026 | vs Feb 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, California | 4,068,051 | 10.8% | -9.8% | -16.3% |
| New York/Newark Area, Newark, New Jersey | 3,897,870 | 10.3% | -18.7% | -11.6% |
| Long Beach, California | 3,506,438 | 9.3% | -17.3% | -26.2% |
| Houston, Texas | 3,063,132 | 8.1% | -14.0% | -10.4% |
| Savannah, Georgia | 2,501,979 | 6.6% | -9.7% | -6.8% |
Which shipping lines and carriers moved the most imports?
| # | Carrier | Weight (tonnes) | Share | vs Jan 2026 | vs Feb 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MSC MEDITTERRANEAN SHIPPING COMPANY | 3,551,234 | 9.4% | -14.6% | -18.6% |
| 2 | COMPAGNIE MARITIME D'AFFRETEMENT | 3,097,821 | 8.2% | -23.8% | -26.8% |
| 3 | MAERSK LINE | 3,062,792 | 8.1% | -15.6% | +9.4% |
| 4 | HAPAG-LLOYD CONTAINER LINE | 2,176,762 | 5.8% | -16.8% | -17.2% |
| 5 | ONE OCEAN EXPRESS | 2,122,625 | 5.6% | -13.7% | -13.2% |
| 6 | EVERGREEN LINE | 1,749,344 | 4.6% | -0.4% | +16.3% |
| 7 | ZIM INTEGRATED SHIPPING SERVICES LTD | 1,532,187 | 4.1% | -22.1% | -32.9% |
| 8 | COSCO CONTAINER LINES AMERICAS | 1,502,033 | 4.0% | -9.6% | +4.9% |
| 9 | STAR FREIGHT SOLUTIONS | 1,055,987 | 2.8% | -23.7% | +6.1% |
| 10 | MAERSK TANKERS | 749,366 | 2.0% | -18.9% | -19.8% |
Carrier names appear on records covering 98.4% of the month's total. Names are shown as recorded and may include local agents of the carrier.
Which import routes carried the most?
| # | Route | Weight (tonnes) | Share | vs Jan 2026 | vs Feb 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yantian → Los Angeles, California | 627,920 | 1.7% | +21.6% | +25.0% |
| 2 | Ningbo → Los Angeles, California | 575,534 | 1.5% | -5.1% | +86.6% |
| 3 | Shanghai → Long Beach, California | 542,512 | 1.4% | -20.6% | -14.8% |
| 4 | Jose → Morgan City, Louisiana | 451,323 | 1.2% | new | new |
| 5 | Yantian → Long Beach, California | 445,321 | 1.2% | -19.6% | -58.9% |
| 6 | Gulf of Mexico → Port Arthur, Texas | 442,284 | 1.2% | -44.2% | +56.7% |
| 7 | Busan → Long Beach, California | 432,423 | 1.1% | +9.7% | +59.0% |
| 8 | Shanghai → Los Angeles, California | 394,595 | 1.0% | -17.1% | -24.7% |
| 9 | Ningbo → Long Beach, California | 369,900 | 1.0% | -11.2% | -10.8% |
| 10 | Busan → Houston, Texas | 367,639 | 1.0% | -26.3% | +32.9% |
Which imports grew and declined over the last three months?
Dec 2025 to Feb 2026 compared with Sep 2025 to Nov 2025. Items under 0.5% of the three-month total are left out.
Products
| Grew | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrogen fertilizers | 803,327 | 1,547,148 | +743,821 | +92.6% |
| Salt (including table salt and denatured salt) | 1,505,030 | 2,196,454 | +691,424 | +45.9% |
| Natural gas and LPG | 396,050 | 645,762 | +249,712 | +63.1% |
| Ferrous products obtained by direct reduction of iron... | 592,212 | 829,803 | +237,591 | +40.1% |
| Furniture and parts thereof, n.e.c. in chapter 94 | 1,546,119 | 1,713,420 | +167,301 | +10.8% |
| Declined | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crude petroleum | 19,525,690 | 16,566,568 | -2,959,122 | -15.2% |
| Plywood, veneered panels and similar laminated wood | 1,726,999 | 960,153 | -766,846 | -44.4% |
| Granite, porphyry, basalt, sandstone, other monumental... | 1,226,571 | 755,220 | -471,351 | -38.4% |
| Natural | 1,032,732 | 615,894 | -416,838 | -40.4% |
| Refined petroleum fuels | 4,319,434 | 3,933,273 | -386,162 | -8.9% |
Countries
| Grew | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iraq | 240,128 | 969,882 | +729,753 | +303.9% |
| Egypt | 375,070 | 1,023,117 | +648,047 | +172.8% |
| Venezuela | 580,624 | 1,126,644 | +546,021 | +94.0% |
| Spain | 1,732,325 | 2,163,826 | +431,502 | +24.9% |
| Bahamas | 2,159,610 | 2,585,475 | +425,864 | +19.7% |
| Declined | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 11,773,004 | 8,127,364 | -3,645,641 | -31.0% |
| Mexico | 7,386,412 | 5,574,926 | -1,811,486 | -24.5% |
| Brazil | 4,786,565 | 3,269,419 | -1,517,147 | -31.7% |
| Argentina | 2,270,512 | 1,373,708 | -896,804 | -39.5% |
| China | 27,387,955 | 26,729,896 | -658,058 | -2.4% |
Top importers in February 2026
115,135 importers received shipments this month. See who they are, what they bought, and from whom in Explorer.
| # | Importer | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Importer, HS 27 mineral fuels and oils | |
| 2 | Importer, HS 27 mineral fuels and oils | |
| 3 | Importer, HS 27 mineral fuels and oils | |
| 4 | Importer, HS 27 mineral fuels and oils | |
| 5 | Importer, HS 27 mineral fuels and oils | |
| 6 | Importer, HS 27 mineral fuels and oils | |
| 7 | Importer, HS 27 mineral fuels and oils | |
| 8 | Importer, HS 25 salt, stone, and cement |
12-month trend
| Month | Weight (tonnes) | Records |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 2025 | 50,039,231 | 1,842,640 |
| Apr 2025 | 49,955,384 | 2,042,283 |
| May 2025 | 46,300,444 | 1,350,331 |
| Jun 2025 | 48,676,154 | 1,473,947 |
| Jul 2025 | 50,287,801 | 1,656,219 |
| Aug 2025 | 48,876,546 | 1,645,602 |
| Sep 2025 | 44,580,106 | 1,523,059 |
| Oct 2025 | 44,982,696 | 1,529,195 |
| Nov 2025 | 43,979,353 | 1,473,599 |
| Dec 2025 | 44,314,176 | 1,460,593 |
| Jan 2026 | 44,003,300 | 1,553,712 |
| Feb 2026 | 37,725,588 | 1,359,350 |
What looks unusual this month?
These changes may reflect a few large shipments, late records, or a classification change rather than a trend. Check them in the records before quoting them.
- HS 7201 (pig iron and spiegeleisen in pigs, blocks or other...) went from 8,060 tonnes to 94,000 tonnes. Treat with caution: jumps this size often reflect a few large transactions or a classification change.
- HS 7214 (iron or non-alloy steel) went from 2,700 tonnes to 52,600 tonnes. Treat with caution: jumps this size often reflect a few large transactions or a classification change.
- HS 7406 (powders and flakes) went from 3,040 tonnes to 52,100 tonnes. Treat with caution: jumps this size often reflect a few large transactions or a classification change.
- Mineral fuels and oils (HS 27) fell to its lowest monthly level since January 2025.
- Machinery and computers (HS 84) fell to its lowest monthly level since January 2025.
- Salt, stone, and cement (HS 25) fell to its lowest monthly level since January 2025.
- Wood (HS 44) fell to its lowest monthly level since January 2025.
United States import facts, February 2026
- Imports into the United States totaled 37.7 million tonnes in February 2026, down 14.3% from January 2026 and down 13.5% from February 2025.
- The largest single product was crude petroleum (HS 2709) at 4.83 million tonnes.
- Granules and powders, of pig iron, spiegeleisen, iron or... (HS 7205) added 174,000 tonnes compared with January 2026, more than any other product heading.
- Crude petroleum (HS 2709) had the largest decline, 504,000 tonnes less than in January 2026.
Methodology
US import bills of lading (CBP ACE ocean manifests) via CargoFax. This report measures weight in tonnes and the number of records. Categories follow the Harmonized System. Records are customs line items; importers are distinct importers with a record in the month. The latest month may be revised as late records arrive. The period table leaves out a comparison that reaches before January 2025, when the series starts, or that includes a month not used as a base. Year to date is compared with the same months a year earlier. Records are ocean bills of lading (US import manifests and export bills); one record is one bill of lading line. Countries are the country where goods were loaded (imports) or the destination country (exports). US values in the source are model estimates that do not match official totals, so these reports measure weight and records only. Weights above 200,000 tonnes on one line, or above 5,000 tonnes outside bulk goods, are treated as recording errors and left out of weight totals; the records still count. Some lines carry only a 2-digit HS chapter and are shown as "chapter only". About a third of import bills do not name the importer. Export records for January and February 2026 may be incomplete at the data provider.
FAQ
United States trade, February 2026: frequently asked questions
How much did the United States import in February 2026?
The United States imported 37.7 million tonnes in February 2026, down 14.3% from January 2026 and down 13.5% from February 2025, according to CargoFax customs records.
What does the United States import?
In February 2026, the United States' largest imports were crude petroleum (HS 2709, 4.83 million tonnes), refined petroleum fuels (HS 2710, 1.12 million tonnes), and plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip n.e.c. in... (HS 3921, 1.10 million tonnes). The largest HS chapter was mineral fuels and oils, with 16.9% of the total.
Where does the United States import from?
The top countries of lading for the United States' imports in February 2026 were China (22.3%), South Korea (8.4%), and Vietnam (5.7%), by share of weight.
Are the United States' imports going up or down?
The United States' imports are falling. From December 2025 to February 2026, they totaled 126 million tonnes, down 5.6% from the three months before. Year to date, the United States' imports are down 13.3% from the same period of 2025.
What are the United States' main ports of entry?
In February 2026, the United States' main points of entry were Los Angeles, California with 10.8%, New York/Newark Area, Newark, New Jersey with 10.3%, and Long Beach, California with 9.3% of imports.
Which shipping lines carry the most imports into the United States?
By weight, the largest carriers of the United States' imports in February 2026 were MSC MEDITTERRANEAN SHIPPING COMPANY with 9.4%, COMPAGNIE MARITIME D'AFFRETEMENT with 8.2%, and MAERSK LINE with 8.1%.
How many companies import into the United States?
115,135 distinct importers appear in the United States' customs records for February 2026. Their names are available to subscribers in Atlas Explorer.
Where can I get the United States import and export data?
CargoFax publishes this United States trade report free every month. The United States customs records behind it, with company names, HS codes, countries, and ports, are searchable in Atlas Explorer and available in bulk through Files.
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