The U.S. and European Union have entered into a new tariff agreement, setting a 15% rate on goods moving across the Atlantic. The deal replaces a previously proposed 30% rate and includes $750 billion in EU energy purchases and $600 billion in European investment into the U.S. economy. With the tariff now in effect, shippers are expected to adjust their strategies heading into the second half of 2025.

In this post, we analyze container booking trends between the EU and the U.S., including both EU-to-U.S. imports and U.S.-to-EU exports. We examine how volumes have shifted in recent weeks, review daily and weekly booking patterns, and highlight key product-level movements across transatlantic lanes.

Transatlantic booking trends hold seasonal pattern, but 2025 volumes are climbing again

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

Container bookings from the EU to the United States held relatively steady through the first half of 2025, averaging just over 4,800 TEUs per week. Volumes have closely tracked prior years, even as tariff negotiations created uncertainty earlier in the year. With the agreement setting the tariff at 15%, rather than the anticipated 30%, there is now room for optimism among U.S. importers.

Rather than triggering a slowdown, the rate may encourage additional orders in the second half of the year as buyers take advantage of a more favorable cost environment. While we have not yet seen a sharp uptick in weekly bookings, the more moderate tariff could support late-year acceleration, especially in sectors like industrial machinery, autos, and energy-related equipment. The next several weeks will be key in signaling how shippers are recalibrating in response.

Recent EU–U.S. bookings show YoY declines and uneven WoW shifts

While EU-to-U.S. container volumes remained largely consistent in early 2025, the week-over-week view shows sharp fluctuations that hint at shifting buyer behavior. After a slower start in January, bookings rebounded significantly in Weeks 4, 16, 19, and 25. Some of the most sustained year-over-year declines occurred between weeks 23 and 30, with volumes falling more than 20% in several of those weeks. Week 25 was the lone exception, posting a sharp 249% YoY increase

Overall, bookings have yet to show clear momentum heading into the second half of the year, but the variability suggests shippers are actively responding to near-term signals. With the new 15% tariff set to take effect in August, we may see more consistent growth in the coming weeks as pricing clarity supports firmer planning cycles.

Daily bookings stabilize after early-June slowdown

*Interactive: Scroll or hover to see daily TEU volumes

While daily booking volumes have followed a steady weekday rhythm since early May, the chart reveals a short-lived dip around June 11. Outside of that window, shippers have largely maintained a consistent cadence. This pattern suggests operational discipline rather than reactive planning. The 7-day moving average highlights this consistency, leveling out around 650 TEUs per day through late July. Rather than making dramatic volume shifts, shippers appear to be executing steady, short-term planning cycles as they prepare for tariff enforcement.

Hot products to watch: Stone, Machinery, and Vehicles lead EU to US container movement

*Interactive: Scroll to explore products and their TEU volumes

Container bookings from the EU to the U.S. show several standout product categories gaining traction, especially as tariff uncertainty clears. Among the top performers:

1. Stone & Cement (HS Code 68) consistently led all categories, peaking at over 700 TEUs in Weeks 12 and 28, and showing strong demand through mid-year. Construction inputs remain in high demand as U.S. infrastructure spending continues.
2. Machinery (HS Code 84) volumes climbed in recent weeks, with a high of 553 TEUs in Week 26. Buyers may be advancing equipment purchases ahead of the new tariff rate taking effect.
3. Vehicles (HS Code 87) spiked in Week 16 with 590 TEUs, followed by a drop-off. This volatility may reflect batch orders from auto manufacturers adjusting to the new policy environment.
4. Carpets (HS Code 57) gained momentum in late Q2, reaching 376 TEUs in Week 16 and 369 TEUs in Week 22, pointing to growth in home goods and interiors.
5. Minerals (HS Code 25) and Processed Fruits & Vegetables (HS Code 20) also posted short-term gains, with minerals showing sharp increases in Week 8 and Week 25. These shifts may reflect seasonal buying or one-off contracts.

Other categories like Plastics (HS Code 39), Ceramics (HS Code 69), and Aluminum (HS Code 76) held steady. While less volatile, their consistent volumes suggest a reliable baseline of trade activity.

This mix of industrial, consumer, and raw materials reflects the complexity of EU-to-U.S. container flows. With the 15% tariff now confirmed, product-level booking trends will be key indicators of how trade behavior adjusts in the months ahead.

2025 U.S.–EU bookings trend upward through most of the year

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

Container bookings from the U.S. to Europe have remained consistently strong through the first 30 weeks of 2025, outpacing volumes from both 2023 and 2024. Weekly exports have frequently surpassed 7,000 TEUs, with multiple peaks above 8,000 and even 9,000 TEUs in the early months of the year. While some softening appeared in June, the overall trend continues to signal elevated demand from European buyers. As we move into the second half of the year, bookings remain well above the historical baseline, reinforcing expectations for a strong year in U.S. outbound flows to the EU.

Top U.S. exports to EU: Vehicles, Plastics, and Cotton dominate

*Interactive: Scroll to explore products and their TEU volumes

Container bookings from the U.S. to Europe remained strong through Week 30 of 2025, with several product categories standing out in terms of volume and consistency.

1. Vehicles (HS Code 87) were the top export category by volume, averaging over 1,900 TEUs per week and reaching a high of 2,929 TEUs in Week 16. This sustained strength reflects strong European demand for U.S.-made vehicles.
2. Plastics (HS Code 39) followed closely, with volumes consistently above 1,400 TEUs and peaking at 2,507 TEUs in Week 3. Industrial buyers appear to be placing regular orders to maintain supply chains.
3. Cotton (HS Code 52) showed several sharp spikes, including 1,752 TEUs in Week 7 and 1,977 TEUs in Week 11. These bursts suggest seasonal procurement, likely driven by European textile and apparel production cycles.
4. Animal Feed (HS Code 23) volumes jumped at key intervals, most notably reaching 1,550 TEUs in Week 22. These patterns indicate bulk contract shipments rather than steady week-to-week flows.
5. Ships (HS Code 89) saw several weeks with large movements, including 1,544 TEUs in Week 28 and consistent volumes near or above 900 TEUs. These shipments likely reflect equipment transfers and high-value maritime trade.
6. Machinery (HS Code 84) held steady at lower volumes, typically ranging between 20 and 130 TEUs per week, with small peaks in Weeks 10 and 23. While not a top-volume category, machinery exports appear to be pacing consistently.

Other exports such as Meat (HS Code 2), Fruits and Nuts (HS Code 8), and Wood Pulp (HS Code 47) contributed smaller but steady volumes.

Looking Ahead

As the 15% EU-U.S. tariff agreement takes effect, container booking trends show that both importers and exporters are actively adjusting their strategies. While some categories are holding steady, others are already seeing sharp shifts in weekly volumes as buyers and sellers respond to pricing clarity and policy certainty. Whether it's U.S. vehicles flowing into Europe or European construction materials moving west, product-level movements will be critical to monitor in the months ahead. As global conditions evolve, visibility into booking behavior will continue to offer a leading signal for how trade flows are adapting across the Atlantic.

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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