Asia-to-U.S. ocean spot rates ease slightly
Asia-to-U.S. ocean spot rates edged down but remain more than twice their level in the same period of 2025, while port congestion and labor negotiation disruption risks persist.
What are the key facts?
- 1Asia-to-U.S. West Coast spot rate fell 1% month over month to $8,245
- 2Asia-to-U.S. East Coast spot rate fell 2% month over month to $9,708
- 3Rates on both routes remain above the same period of 2025
- 4Projected November and December U.S. port imports: 2.05 million and 2.03 million TEUs
- 5Southern California ports continue to report elevated wait and container dwell times
What happened?
Supply Chain Dive reported on November 11, 2026, that Asia-to-U.S. container ocean spot rates eased slightly as freight demand at U.S. ports slowed in the latter part of the holiday peak season. As of November 10, rates from Asia to the U.S. West Coast fell 1% month over month to $8,245 per 40-foot container, while rates to the U.S. East Coast fell 2% to $9,708. However, rates on both routes remained significantly higher than in the same period of 2025, up approximately 179% on the West Coast and 176% on the East Coast. U.S. port imports are projected at 2.26 million TEUs in October, 2.05 million TEUs in November and 2.03 million TEUs in December. Meanwhile, truck wait times and rail container dwell times at Southern California ports remained elevated, and local port labor negotiations could create new disruption risks around November 20. For cross-border sellers, ocean replenishment costs have eased in the short term, but categories such as furniture, home goods, toys and apparel that depend on ocean freight and U.S. West Coast inbound delivery still face operating pressure from congestion, fuel costs and late-peak-season delays.
What does this mean for cross-border sellers?
Although Asia-to-U.S. West Coast and East Coast ocean spot rates have fallen to $8,245 and $9,708, respectively, they remain above 2025 levels, so do not lower prices based on the decline alone. Sellers of furniture, home goods, toys and apparel that rely on U.S. West Coast inbound delivery should also prepare for Southern California wait times, container dwell time and potential labor-negotiation disruptions around November 20.
What should sellers do now?
- 1This week, review in-transit and available inventory for ocean-dependent categories such as furniture, home goods, toys and apparel; record the West Coast rate of $8,245 and East Coast rate of $9,708 separately, and produce a replenishment list and backup-port checklist.Procurement List
- 2Re-enter key U.S.-market SKUs into the profit model, incorporating ocean costs of $8,245 for the West Coast and $9,708 for the East Coast; verify the effects on prices, gross margins and fuel costs, and complete a reviewable price-adjustment table.Profit calculator
- 3For priority listings inbound through Southern California, check estimated arrival dates and safety stock; flag truck wait times, rail container dwell time and disruption risks around November 20, and create a replenishment-priority list for delay scenarios.Breakeven calculator