With Tariff Hike on Hold, March Retail Imports to Drop Significantly, Says NRF

March retail imports are expected to drop to their lowest levels in nearly a year, with retailers in their annual “lull” between promotional shopping periods and the Section 301 tariff increase on Chinese imports indefinitely on hold (see 1903010031), said the National Retail Federation Friday. Retailers are “taking a break from the rush to bring merchandise in ahead of tariff hikes now that the increase that was scheduled for March has been delayed,” said NRF. “We are hoping that the delay is permanent and, better yet, that tariffs of the past year will be removed entirely. But either way, imports will start to build up again soon as retailers prepare for the summer.” NRF estimates U.S. ports will handle 1.59 million 20-foot-long cargo containers or their equivalents in March. That would be a 3.2 percent increase from March 2018, but the lowest monthly level since April, it said.