logo
Coding and Marking Market Outlook Report 2025-2030: Laser Marking and CIJ Tech Drive 6.1% CAGR in Global Coding & Marking Industry to 2030

Coding and Marking Market Outlook Report 2025-2030: Laser Marking and CIJ Tech Drive 6.1% CAGR in Global Coding & Marking Industry to 2030

Yahoo5 hours ago

Explore the thriving Coding & Marking Market, projected to grow from USD 6.66 billion in 2024 to USD 9.53 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 6.15%. Key innovations from LEIBINGER, Videojet, and Markem-Imaje showcase advancements in CIJ, laser marking, and sustainable packaging solutions, driving market growth.
Coding & Marking Market
Dublin, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Coding & Marking Market - Outlook & Forecast 2025-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.The Coding & Marking Market was valued at USD 6.66 billion in 2024, and is projected to reach USD 9.53 billion by 2030, rising at a CAGR of 6.15%.
In 2024, APAC dominated the global coding and marking market, accounting for over 31% share by revenue in the global market. APAC is expected to witness significant growth in the coding and marking market due to the increasing demand for packaged food & beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. China is the largest market in the region. The industry is experiencing significant growth, stricter regulatory frameworks, led by rapid industrialization, and a rising need for product traceability.In North America, the growth of the e-commerce industry has been impressive in the U.S. recently which increased the demand for high-speed continuous inkjet (CIJ) and laser marking systems. North America is a global leader in the pharmaceutical industry, having the highest number of pharmaceutical partnerships. The pharmaceutical industry is vital in increasing the demand for coding and marking systems.
Furthermore, in Europe, Germany is the largest market due to its robust manufacturing hub. The food & beverage, automotive, and pharmaceutical drive the demand in the region. The European Union (EU) has created strict regulations governing product marking, packaging, and labeling across its member states.
Moreover, Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are also expected to witness substantial growth in the coding and marking market due to the increasing demand for product traceability and safety, particularly in the F&B industry.
CODING AND MARKING MARKET TRENDS
The coding and marking market is growing rapidly with advancements in technology, improving efficiency, and accuracy across various sectors. Several industry leaders are at the forefront of developing technologically advanced solutions. Domino Printing Sciences, for example, has introduced the R-Series smart vision system, devised to integrate seamlessly with its printers.
The increasing emphasis on sustainable packaging and label printing practices is one of the key trends in coding and marking. As environmental concerns continue to rise, consumers and regulatory bodies push for more eco-friendly solutions throughout the supply chain.
Industry 4.0 flourishes on interconnected systems, and this level of connectivity is mainly vital in industrial coding and marking. Prominent manufacturers such as Domino and Control Print have been at the forefront of developing intelligent coding solutions that seamlessly incorporate into modern production environments.
Laser marking technology has become a significant tool for industries necessitating permanent and precise product identification, tracking, and anti-counterfeiting measures. Its rising adoption across sectors including electronics, automotive, healthcare, and semiconductors is fostering coding and marking market expansion.
Several trade shows, exhibitions, events, fairs, and conferences, among others, are held throughout the year, inviting several vendors to showcase their offerings and solutions. This is a major opportunity for large and small vendors in the market, where they can highlight their product offerings and solutions for customers.
CODING AND MARKING MARKET DRIVERS
Increasing regulatory compliance is a key driver for the coding and marking market. Recently the landscape for product labeling experienced substantial changes globally as regulatory bodies implemented more stringent guidelines to improve consumer safety, product traceability, and informed decision-making. These improvements have had a great impact on the coding and marking industry.
The expansion of e-commerce has reformed the packaging industry, creating a high demand for customization and personalization. In e-commerce packaging, customization increases beyond simple branding elements like taglines and logos. This rising trend has increased the demand for versatile coding and marking technologies that can contain variable data printing (VDP) and quick production changes.
The global pharmaceutical packaging market is growing substantially, propelled by the rising demand for medications globally. Due to the rise in aging populations and chronic diseases, the requirement for traceable, secure, and clearly labeled pharmaceutical products is increasing.
The rising adoption of flexible packaging across industries is considerably driving the coding and marking market growth. Consumers are increasingly prioritizing sustainability, convenience, and cost-effectiveness, which makes flexible packaging a favored choice for businesses looking to improve packaging efficiency.
The increase in different types of packaged food has led to a greater demand for easy-to-use packaging products with an easy-to-print surface to enable product differentiation in stores. This, in turn, has boosted the demand for coding and marking solutions.
INDUSTRY RESTRAINTS
The growing occurrence of counterfeit products, driven by the increasing market vulnerabilities and rise of influencer culture, poses a major challenge to the coding and marking market.
The consumer electronics industry faces a substantial threat from counterfeit goods, with fake tablets, smartphones, chargers, and headphones flooding global markets. These counterfeit electronics not only challenge legitimate brands but also pose severe safety risks owing to the lack of proper quality control.
Errors due to human negligence or mistakes can often dent the profits of manufacturers and vendors. Large-scale manufacturing companies often have people working in shifts, increasing human-machine interaction. This tends to increase the scope of errors due to the time needed to master the printing machine process.
Another key challenge that vendors face is the high costs associated with printing and marking solutions. Vendors in the coding and marking market are often questioned about the pricing solution of their product offerings.
One significant constraint in the coding & marking market is the limited availability of skilled labor. The operation & maintenance of coding & marking equipment require skilled labor, and there is currently a shortage of qualified professionals in this field.
CODING AND MARKING MARKET VENDORSThe global coding and marking market is highly fragmented with several local and international players. Videojet, Markem-image, Domino Printing Sciences, Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems, and Keyence are a few prominent players alongside numerous domestic manufacturers specialized in manufacturing coding and marking systems based on local demands and regulations. The competitive scenario in the global coding and marking market is currently intensified. The market competition is also influenced by technological advances, changing customer needs, and industry regulations.The competitive environment in this market is expected to intensify further with an increase in product/service extensions, technological innovations, and M&As. International players will grow inorganically by acquiring regional or local players. Also, the market is prone to threats of low-quality products, which increases the level of expansion in the market. The major vendors also continually compete for a leading position in the market, with the occasional rise of competition coming from other local vendors. Furthermore, the coding and marking services adoption rate among end-users worldwide has been impressive. As a result of increased demand, the global coding and marking market has witnessed the entry of many vendors that provide coding and marking tools at lower prices.Key Market Companies
Control Print
Diagraph (Illinois Tool Works)
Domino Printing Sciences
Han's Laser Technology Industry Group
Hitachi Industrial Equipment & Solutions
KEYENCE
Markem-Imaje
Videojet Technologies
Other Prominent Vendors
ANSER Coding
ATD UK
Beijing Hi-Pack Coding
Cyklop Fastjet Technologies
Dotjet
EBS Ink-Jet Systems
Guangzhou EC-PACK Packaging Equipment
HSA Systems
ICONOTECH
ID Technology
Inkjet
Jet Inks
KGK Jet
Koenig & Bauer Coding
Kortho Coding & Marking
Laserax
LEAD TECH (ZHUHAI) ELECTRONIC
Leibinger Group
Linx Printing Technologies
Macsa ID
MapleJet
Matthews International
MECCO
REA Elektronik
RN Mark
Shanghai Dikai Coding Technology
Squid Ink
Sunine
Weber Marking Systems
Xaar
Zanasi
Key Attributes:
Report Attribute
Details
No. of Pages
466
Forecast Period
2024 - 2030
Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024
$6.66 Billion
Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030
$9.53 Billion
Compound Annual Growth Rate
6.1%
Regions Covered
Global
Key Topics Covered: 1. Scope & Coverage1.1. Market Definition1.2. Segments Covered & Definition1.3. Market Derivation2. Premium Insights2.1. Opportunity Pockets2.2. Market Insights2.3. Key Product Developments2.4. Market Dynamics2.5. Segmentation Insights2.6. Regional Analysis2.7. Competitive Landscape3. Market at a Glance4. Introduction4.1. Overview4.1.1. Evolution of Coding & Marking4.1.2. Consumer Preferences Shaping Coding & Marking Industry Trends4.1.3. Use of Coding & Marking Machines in Different Industries4.1.4. Major Applications of Coding & Marking4.1.5. Risk Factors4.2. Pest Analysis4.3. Value Chain Analysis5. Market Opportunities & Trends5.1. Technological Advancements in Coding & Marking5.2. Rise in Sustainability & Eco-Friendly Solutions5.3. Advancing Coding & Marking with Industry 4.05.4. Advances in Laser Marking Technologies5.5. Growing Secondary Packaging Market5.6. Expansion of Exhibitions, Trade Shows, and Industry Platforms6. Market Growth Enablers6.1. Rising Implementation of Stringent Labeling Regulations6.2. Growth in E-Commerce Industry6.3. Growth in Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Industries6.4. Rising Adoption of Flexible Packaging6.5. Growth in Packaged Food Consumption6.6. Rising Demand for Product Traceability7. Market Restraints7.1. Rising Threat of Counterfeit Products7.2. Operational Inefficiencies & High Cost7.3. Shortage of Skilled Workforce & Rising Labor Costs8. Market Landscape8.1. Market Size & Forecast8.2. Types of Packaging8.3. Geographic Insights8.4. Material Insights8.4.1. Plastic8.4.2. Paper & Cardboard8.4.3. Paper & Cardboard Industry Insights8.4.4. Metals8.4.5. Other Applications8.5. SWOT Analysis8.6. Technology8.7. Product Mix8.8. End-user8.9. Food & Beverage8.10. Five Forces Analysis9. Technology9.1. Market Snapshot & Growth Engine9.2. Market Overview9.3. CIJ Technology9.4. Laser Technology9.5. Palm Technology9.6. TTO Technology9.7. PIJ Technology9.8. VIJ Technology9.9. TIJ Technology10. End-user10.1. Market Snapshot & Growth Engine10.2. Market Overview10.3. Food & Beverage10.4. Healthcare10.5. Electrical Equipment & Electronics10.6. Chemicals & Construction10.7. Automotive & Aerospace10.8. Others11. Product Mix11.1. Market Snapshot & Growth Engine11.2. Market Overview11.3. Equipment11.4. Consumables12. Geography12.1. Market Snapshot & Growth Engine12.2. Geographic Overview12.3. Spare Parts & Aftermarket13. APAC14. North America15. Western Europe16. Latin America17. Middle East & Africa18. Central & Eastern Europe19. Competitive Landscape20. Key Company Profiles21. Other Prominent VendorsFor more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/yh3pmg
About ResearchAndMarkets.comResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.
Attachment
Coding & Marking Market
CONTACT: CONTACT: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

China's Cosco Eyes Stake in MSC-BlackRock Panama Ports Deal
China's Cosco Eyes Stake in MSC-BlackRock Panama Ports Deal

Yahoo

time25 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

China's Cosco Eyes Stake in MSC-BlackRock Panama Ports Deal

Cosco Shipping could potentially be a new partner in the deal that would transfer two ports on the sides of the Panama Canal to Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and BlackRock. China's largest container shipping company is one of multiple Chinese state-backed companies that is in discussion to invest in the consortium to buy more than 40 ports from port operator CK Hutchison Holdings, according to a report from Bloomberg. More from Sourcing Journal Apparel Tariffs Climbed to Historic Highs in April China-to-US Freight Rates 'No Longer Surging'-Is it All Downhill from Here? Trump Touts Higher Duty Rate for Chinese Imports Under New Trade Deal The addition of Chinese investors emerged as a potential option as the current iteration of the deal has hit regulatory roadblocks in the country amid a power struggle with the U.S. over influence on the trade artery. The Panama Canal Authority acknowledged the sale could put the waterway's neutrality at risk. China's antitrust body is currently probing the deal after reports that President Xi Jinping was unhappy with the port sale by Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison. It is unclear what stake Cosco would have if a port deal took place, or what ports it would gain control over. The deal itself followed President Donald Trump's rhetoric that the U.S. should 'take back' the canal, partly due to Washington's worries that Hutchison's ownership of the adjacent ports poses national security concerns for U.S. trade interests. But according to the Bloomberg report, the idea to include Chinese investors in the MSC/BlackRock consortium came to be after high-stakes tariff negotiations in Switzerland concluded last month between Chinese and U.S. officials. Cosco's—or any other Chinese company's—involvement could still sound off some bells due to their state-owned status, according to analysis by Drewry provided after a webinar on the deal held Thursday. 'This will be problematic in many jurisdictions, for example Cosco was limited to taking only a 24.99 percent stake in Container Terminal Tollerort in Hamburg' in 2021, Drewry said. A previous Financial Times report from early June indicates that Hutchison is also considering exploring a sale of some or all of its remaining 10 ports in greater China in a separate deal as a way to appease the U.S. and China. 'We would expect that if sold that both Cosco Shipping Ports and China Merchants Ports would be likely candidates, but there may be competition concerns here given existing strength of these companies in the Chinese port sector,' according to Drewry. A 145-day period for exclusive talks between Hutchison and the consortium ends in late July. The parties have already missed an initial goal of signing an agreement on the Panama part of the deal by early April. If a deal goes through as initially planned, it would cost $22.8 billion for the ports to switch hands, with CK Hutchison netting more than $19 billion in cash from the transaction. MSC would be the lead investor in this acquisition through its Terminal Investment Limited (TIL) terminal operator subsidiary, various reports have said. The ocean freight giant is setting itself up as the dominant figure across container shipping and port terminals if a tentative deal to acquire the Panama ports clears approval. But that remains a big if—and a resolution isn't going to come quick. 'We're going to be talking about this deal for at least a year, if not longer, while it makes its way through regulatory approvals,' said Eleanor Hadland, senior associate of ports and terminals at Drewry, during the webinar. An approved deal would thrust MSC into the position of largest global terminal operator worldwide, up from its rank of seventh in 2023, Drewry said. When including the 43 ports from Hutchison, which comprise 199 berths in 23 countries, MSC would have a terminal capacity of 196 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs), giving the firm equity interest in more than 15 percent of global capacity. 'While it's unlikely that MSC/TIL will be allowed to take over all of Hutchison's assets due to market concentration concerns from the relevant competition authorities, it's also unlikely that this would make a large enough dent in the combined portfolio to affect this final outcome of going up to first place in the rankings,' said Eirik Hooper, senior associate of ports and terminals at Drewry. The MSC shakeup would spark an uptrend of 'hybrid' global terminal operators (GTOs), Hooper pointed out. For the first time, three hybrid operators would be represented among the top five GTOs, including MSC, Cosco (fourth) and Maersk (fifth) through its APM Terminals division. Hooper acknowledged the risks of consolidation within the industry, namely for liners without terminal-operating capacity, noting that the larger ports will typically see greater alignment between ownership of the terminal and the customer base of the terminal. However, these carriers can still reap benefits in a hybrid-dominated environment, he said. 'In small-medium ports, even where terminals are operated by a hybrid GTO, they are catering to all liners calling at the port. While this may sound less than ideal, terminal service agreements specify the berth windows, productivity and price therefore minimizing the risk of 'preferential treatment' for aligned carriers,' Hooper said. 'In some markets, the investment by a hybrid operator may be motivated to improve service levels for their own shipping services, but equipment upgrades and service level improvements will benefit all users.' Sign in to access your portfolio

Apparel Tariffs Climbed to Historic Highs in April
Apparel Tariffs Climbed to Historic Highs in April

Yahoo

time25 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Apparel Tariffs Climbed to Historic Highs in April

Tariff rates on apparel imported from across the globe spiked in April, and that upward trend seems poised to continue amid protracted negotiations between the United States and its preeminent trading partners, according to Dr. Sheng Lu. The University of Delaware professor of fashion and apparel studies assessed the U.S. International Trade Commission's (USITC) recently released data from April, which showed that as a result of President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs, announced on 'Liberation Day' on April 2, the average tariff rate for U.S. apparel imports reached 20.1 percent. More from Sourcing Journal Vietnam's Ready For High Stakes US Trade Talks To Avoid Steep Tariffs RH Continues to Mitigate Tariff Pressure; Says Revenues Will Take Short-term Hit China-to-US Freight Rates 'No Longer Surging'-Is it All Downhill from Here? That's a 13.8-percent increase from the same period a year prior and a 14.7-percent jump from January of this year, and the highest average duty rate on clothing imports seen in decades. The tax hikes were predictably particularly acute for apparel imported from China, which has seen numerous duty rate hikes since February, including an executive order setting tariffs at a whopping 145 percent for products across the board—a figure that' has fluctuated throughout a series of trade negotiations. In April, the average tariff rate for clothing imported from the sourcing superpower reached an unprecedented 55 percent, up from 37 percent in March and 22 percent in January. The data was skewed by the fact that many importers frontloaded orders to hit open waters before the steepest tariffs took effect, Lu said. China was far from the only sourcing locale that faced higher duties, though it is the most prolific producer of apparel. Removing China from the equation revealed an average tariff rate for apparel imports from other countries totaling 15.2 percent in April, Lu found. Though the rate was higher than the 12 percent to 13 percent seen in early 2025 before Trump took office, it was significantly more modest than the theoretical 10-percent universal baseline tariff increase announced by the administration. He told Sourcing Journal that average tariff rates for U.S. apparel imports from leading Asian suppliers like Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Cambodia followed similar patterns—higher tariffs, but well below a 10-percent increase. 'Similar to China's case, it appears that U.S. apparel imports from other countries in April 2025 included a significant proportion of products that were exempt from reciprocal tariffs because they were loaded onto a vesselearly enough,' Lu said. April's data illuminates some notable trends, chief among them, the quick-thinking actions taken by importers to frontload orders. But within the context of day-to-day evolutions in trade policy perpetuated by the Trump administration, April feels like lightyears, not months, in the past. And dealmaking with more than a dozen of the nation's prominent trading partners is still underway ahead of the expiration of the pause on reciprocal duties on July 9—a deadline the administration now says could be extended. This week, the president took to Truth Social to announce a new 55-percent tariff rate for China-made goods—the result of two days of trade negotiations between U.S. and China officials in London. While the president was quick to take a digital victory lap, hailing the deal as 'GREAT' on Thursday, neither head of state has officially ratified the terms. The trade truce won't 'help much in reducing market uncertainty,' Lu believes. 'Not only are the details of the agreement yet to be announced, but the nature of the deal, the pending legal case against Trump administration's imposition of [International Emergency Economic Powers Act] tariffs, and the pending tariff rates affecting U.S. apparel imports from other sources also contribute to this uncertainty,' he said. In other words, U.S. brands and retailers are still in a holding pattern, unwilling to make major decisions that could upend their global supply chains. But should the 55-percent rate on China imports stick, Lu believes American firms 'will further increase their sourcing volume from other leading Asian suppliers, particularly other leading apparel suppliers in Asia that are still subject to a relatively lower tariff rate, such as Vietnam, Bangladesh, and India.' This is a pattern that's already emerged over the past few months as China has been 'singled out' by the president, facing a much higher tariff burden than other Asian nations. Apparel imports from China fell in April by 13.3 percent as a result of the heavy duties, while imports from Vietnam (up 23.4 percent), Bangladesh (up 37.8 percent), Cambodia (up 38.6 percent), Pakistan (up 25.7 percent) and Sri Lanka (up 26.4 percent) positively 'surged,' Lu said. That doesn't necessarily mean Trump's plan to rebalance the trade deficit with China is working, though.'It should be noted that many apparel exports from these Asian countries may come from factories owned by Chinese investors,' Lu explained. 'It will also become increasingly common for Chinese garment factories to become 'super-vendors' with production capabilities in multiple countries.' In other words, China's reach and influence may grow as it adapts to increasingly prohibitive trade constraints levied by the U.S. It remains 'highly uncertain' which countries will be among the first to reach trade deals with the Trump administration, Lu said. 'From the apparel industry's perspective, a deal with leading Asian suppliers, including Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, and Cambodia, as well as CAFTA-DR members, would be the priority,' he added. The administration has indicated that talks with some of these nations, including India and Vietnam, have been ongoing. U.S. fashion firms are understandably itching for a fuller picture of what tariff rates they'll face in the next few months, never mind the coming years. In Lu's estimation, given the only two trade deals that have been worked out thus far, 'the chances that U.S. fashion companies would pay a lower tariff rate than they currently do are quite low.' China's 55-percent rate represents a massive burden for those importing from the country, and the recently announced trade deal with the United Kingdom leaves importers to face a 10-percent duty rate. According to Lu, 'it is more likely than not that the final 'reciprocal tariff' rate reached between the U.S. and a trading partner will be 10 percent or even higher.' Because the president is laser-focused on rebalancing trade, medium-sized major economies that could potentially import more American made products could be well-positioned to make more favorable deals with Washington—and sooner. Lu's assessment of the April USITC data uncovered a surprising downside—namely, for America's nearshore neighbors. 'It is interesting to note that the reciprocal tariff resulted in the most significant increase in tariff rates on U.S. apparel imports from CAFTA-DR members,' he said, referring to the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement, which encompasses countries including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. While imports from these nations are presumably duty-free under the trade agreement, the average tariff rate paid on apparel imports hit 6.7 percent in April. Lu said that's because the short shipping distance between Central America and the U.S. actually worked to their disadvantage. 'Due to the short distance between the U.S. and CAFTA-DR members, there [was] limited flexibility for U.S. fashion companies to utilize the timing of shipping to avoid paying tariffs,' he said. Lu broke it down this way: 'Except for Mexico and China, U.S. apparel imports from all sources in April 2025 should face an additional 10-percent reciprocal tariff on top of the existing MFN tariff rate. However, the increase in tariff rates was actually much more modest (i.e., only about a 2-3 percentage point increase instead of 10 percent) for U.S. apparel imports from most Asian countries, as many imports were loaded onto vessels early enough to qualify for tariff exemption.' Only apparel imports from CAFTA-DR saw an increase in tariff rate as high as 6.7 percent in April, 'partially because, with transit times of days, not weeks, orders had to be placed after tariff announcements, forcing U.S. fashion companies to absorb the increased tariff rate,' Lu said. These countries also have a more limited ability to fulfill new orders on short notice, unlike their Asian counterparts. There's no evidence that Trump's tariff regime has benefited nearshore countries in the Western Hemisphere at all, Lu said. In fact, CAFTA-DR nations accounted for just 8.8 percent of clothing imports from January through April, down from 10.3 percent during the same period last year. Of course, all this could change with the release of May's data—and with the continual shakeups in sourcing that will most certainly result as the administration solidifies trade deals in the coming weeks. 'Overall, it remains uncertain how the U.S. apparel tariff rates will continue to evolve in response to Trump's shifting tariff policy,' Lu said. 'It appears that the trade volume and timing of shipment will be highly sensitive to short-term tariff rate changes, whereas adjusting sourcing bases and product structures will be a consideration for U.S. fashion companies in the medium- to long-term.'

Port of LA Imports Dip 9% in May After Tariff Shock
Port of LA Imports Dip 9% in May After Tariff Shock

Yahoo

time25 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Port of LA Imports Dip 9% in May After Tariff Shock

The Port of Los Angeles handled 9 percent fewer imports in May than last year as inbound cargo volumes into the California gateway were hampered by tariffs implemented by the Trump administration in April. With fewer ships entering the port due to mass blank sailings in the weeks after the tariffs were imposed, the L.A. port brought in 355,950 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of loaded imports. On a month-over-month basis, these import numbers declined 19 percent from April, despite May volumes typically being stronger during most years as the traditional peak shipping season approaches. More from Sourcing Journal China Retail Sales Saw May Bump in Spite of Tariff Firestorm Apparel Tariffs Climbed to Historic Highs in April China-to-US Freight Rates 'No Longer Surging'-Is it All Downhill from Here? The import total was 25 percent less than what the port forecasted on April 1, a day ahead of President Donald Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs that threw the supply chain out of sorts, namely on the trans-Pacific trade lane out of China. The duty rate on imports from China escalated as high as 145 percent before the countries agreed to a 90-day pause in May. Earlier this month, the countries were able to settle on a 55 percent tariff on Chinese goods, along with China keeping a 10 percent duty on American exports. After the initial shock of the 145 percent tariff, 'many importers just simply slammed on the brakes and halted any movement of cargo,' said Port of Los Angeles executive director Gene Seroka during a Friday briefing. For the month, 17 canceled sailings amounted to 225,000 TEUs that didn't show up at the port, according to Seroka. He noted that truckers hauling four or five containers prior to the Liberation Day announcement are currently hauling two or three loads. And for every two longshore workers reporting to the hiring hall in late May, one left without work, he said. 'It's very slow here seasonally, as we've already blown past summer fashion and are looking forward now to back-to-school and Halloween before the all-important year-end holidays,' Seroka said. 'Cargo for those micro seasons needs to be here on the ground right now. I don't necessarily see that in inventory levels.' The port director predicted there would likely be higher prices and fewer selections for both the back-to-school and Halloween seasons. 'We will see a little bit of a peak season in the month of July trying to get ready for the Christmas and year-end holiday season,' Seroka said. 'But again, retailers are not telling me that they're boosting inventory levels to have wide selections on products beginning that Thanksgiving week and running to the end of the year.' Ernie Tedeschi, director of economics at The Budget Lab at Yale, said during the briefing that the tariffs would raise average prices by 1.5 percent, which would cut purchasing power of nearly $2,500 per household per year. But not all tariffs are made equal, he warns. 'Products that Americans are more likely to import are going to be pinched much more than other products. In particular, products like leather goods, things like shoes and handbags, products like apparel and consumer electronics—we believe will all see double-digit price increases in the short run over the next year or two,' Tedeschi said. According to The Budget Lab's estimates, leather products could see price increases of 30 percent, while apparel's price tag would jump 28 percent. Textiles could see a price hike of 15 percent, Tedeschi said. In April, apparel imports already saw a 20.1 percent tariff rate worldwide, according to U.S. International Trade Commission data. Seroka again downplayed any potential cargo surge that analysts have expected would flood the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in June and July, pointing to recent Global Port Tracker projections. During the summer months of June, July and August, U.S. ports are expected to see inbound cargo declines of 6.2 percent, 8.1 percent and 14.7 percent, respectively. During the Friday briefing, Seroka said there were 12 ships at the L.A. port, 'which is a good number for this time of year' and 'one of the few double-digit ship days we've had in weeks.' Additionally, he highlighted upcoming import projections over the next two weeks of 122,000 and 124,000 TEUs, both figures of which he said 'are pretty average for where we should be.' Loaded exports at the Port of Los Angeles totaled 120,196 TEUs, a 5 percent drop from 2024. The port processed 240,472 empty container units, 2 percent more than last year. Across the board, the port handled 716,619 TEUs in May, 5 percent less than last year. Coincidentally, last month marks the first year-over-year decline in throughput since the year-ago month. 'There's less than 30 percent of the cargo on the docks today than was at the peak during Covid,' said Seroka. 'We got plenty of room to manage the cargo.' After five months in 2025, the Port of Los Angeles has handled 4,063,472 TEUs, 4 percent more than the same period in 2024.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store