In our last analysis, we explored booking activity between China and the United States as a forward indicator of trade demand. This update expands that view with new departure data, showing how those bookings converted into real container movements.

Using Vizion’s TradeView platform, we analyze weekly and daily trends across 2023–2025, comparing year-over-year and week-over-week changes to uncover the evolving pulse of the world’s busiest trade lane.

China to U.S. Bookings Trend Lower Through Midyear with a Golden Week Slowdown

*Interactive: Scroll or hover to see weekly TEU volumes for each year

After a brief rise around Week 21, booking volumes from China to the United States trended below both 2023 and 2024 levels for most of the year. The pattern shows steady but subdued activity through Q3, suggesting moderate export demand and limited new order growth. A sharp decline in Week 40 aligns with China’s Golden Week, when factory closures and port congestion reduce outbound shipments. Bookings began to stabilize by late October, signaling a measured recovery but not a full rebound heading into the final quarter. The recent announcement of a U.S.–China tariff truce has yet to translate into a noticeable pickup in bookings, suggesting exporters may be waiting to see how the agreement unfolds before increasing volumes.

Week-over-Week and Year-over-Year Change in Bookings from China to the U.S., 2025

The heatmap offers another view of booking activity between China and the United States, showing both week-over-week and year-over-year percentage shifts. After early volatility, momentum weakened steadily through midyear and remained mostly negative across Q3. Week 40 marks the sharpest drop, with bookings falling nearly 60% week over week during China’s Golden Week slowdown. Limited recovery followed in late October, underscoring how trade activity has stayed stable but muted through the second half of the year.

Daily Container Bookings from China to the U.S

*Interactive: Scroll or hover to see daily TEU volumes

Daily booking data provides a closer look at shipment pacing between China and the United States. After several large spikes in May, activity settled into a steadier rhythm through the middle of the year, with the 7-day average hovering around 17,000 to 18,000 TEUs per day. Volatility narrowed across July and August, suggesting exporters maintained consistent scheduling even as overall volume softened. By late October, daily bookings remained stable, showing a more measured trading pattern than the swings seen earlier in the year.

China to U.S. Departures Track Below Prior Years, Reflecting Softer Export Flow

*Interactive: Scroll or hover to see weekly TEU volumes for each year

Weekly departure volumes from China to the United States remained below both 2023 and 2024 for most of 2025. Through the middle of the year, sailings showed limited upward momentum, indicating cautious export pacing and balanced vessel utilization. A modest pickup in late Q3 was short-lived, and departures stayed relatively flat through October. Overall, the data points to consistent but restrained throughput, mirroring the subdued booking activity seen earlier in the year.

Departures Maintain a Stable Pace Through Mid and Late 2025

*Interactive: Scroll or hover to see daily TEU volumes

Daily departure data shows a steady and predictable flow of exports from China to the United States through 2025. After some early fluctuations in May and June, the 7-day average held mostly between 9,000 and 11,000 TEUs per day across the summer months. The pattern suggests consistent sailing schedules and stable terminal operations, even as overall volume remained moderate. Toward the end of October, daily throughput showed only minor variations, indicating balanced export capacity and a steady flow of departures into Q4.

Despite stable departure volumes, booking activity continues to trend lower year over year, signaling softer forward demand on the China–U.S. lane. Exporters appear to be moving existing commitments rather than expanding new orders, keeping throughput steady but limiting future growth potential. Until booking levels show a sustained upward shift, trade flows are likely to remain cautious through the end of the year.

For a closer look at specific trade lanes, country pairings, product categories, or tailored market insights, schedule time with our team. We can help you translate shifting booking and departure patterns into actionable sourcing and pricing strategies.

Get Ahead with Early Trade Intelligence

Vizion’s TradeView platform gives you live visibility into:

1. Booking trends by country, product type, HS code, or commodity
2. Changes by country or port
3. Shipment behavior by consignee, shipper, and logistics provider

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