That anticipatory surge quickly turned into a crash. During the week of April 1–8, global Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) booked dropped 49 per cent compared to the previous week. US imports declined 64 per cent, exports fell 30 per cent, while trade with China was especially impacted imports from China plunged 64 per cent and exports dropped 36 per cent.
This sudden freeze came directly after the US government’s April 4 tariff announcement and China’s swift retaliatory measures on April 5. The result was a widespread halt in new bookings as companies reevaluated shipment timing, costs, and their broader trade strategies.
US import bookings plunged in April after a Q1 surge, as shippers paused amid tariff shocks.
Bookings fell 49 per cent in early April; US-China trade was hit hardest.
Apparel, textiles, and key raw materials saw steep drops.
With effective tariffs on Chinese goods now at 145 per cent, firms are reassessing sourcing and trade strategies amid ongoing uncertainty.
Product-level data shows discretionary and seasonal goods were the first to be impacted. Bookings for apparel and accessories fell 59 per cent, while wool, fabrics, and textiles dropped 57 per cent. These goods are not only sensitive to pricing shifts but also frequently fall within newly adjusted tariff categories, Vizion said in a media release.
Industrial and manufacturing supply chains are also feeling the pressure as declines reflect growing hesitation around sourcing high-volume, high-cost materials that now face steep duties. On April 10, the White House confirmed that the effective tariff rate on Chinese goods has reached 145 per cent—an increase from the previously announced 125 per cent, combined with an additional 20 per cent enforcement-linked tax.
With bookings dropping almost in real time, weeks ahead of actual port activity, the data underscores the increasing importance of forward-looking logistics intelligence. Many shippers now find themselves in a holding pattern, waiting for clarity on both costs and trade policy direction before resuming normal activity.
While the US has paused reciprocal tariffs with other trade partners for 90 days, the environment remains fluid. The rest of 2025 is likely to see continued volatility in global trade flows, as companies oscillate between rapid ordering and cautious slowdowns. For many, navigating this uncertain terrain will require not only operational agility but also a sharper focus on alternative sourcing strategies, inventory buffers, and risk-mitigation frameworks.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
