U.S. container imports are on pace to reach an all-time monthly record this summer, and customs brokers are reporting increased documentation reviews on wine and spirits shipments moving through U.S. ports. While these reviews are not tied to a formal nationwide enforcement initiative, importers should be prepared for longer processing times if required documentation is incomplete or inconsistent.
For companies importing alcoholic beverages, even minor discrepancies between regulatory filings and commercial shipping documents can result in cargo holds, additional reviews, and costly delays.
A Record Volume Summer
According to the Global Port Tracker report from the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates, U.S. ports handled 2.24 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in May 2026, up 14.9% year over year and 10.1% over April. June reached approximately 2.33 million TEUs, up 18.7% year over year, bringing first-half 2026 volume to 12.77 million TEUs, about 2% above the same period in 2025.
July is forecast to reach 2.47 million TEUs, surpassing the previous all-time monthly record of 2.4 million TEUs set in May 2022. NRF and Hackett attribute the surge largely to retailers and importers frontloading shipments ahead of potential new tariffs. While volumes are expected to ease in August, the current stretch represents the busiest sustained import period U.S. ports have experienced since the pandemic-era peak.
Higher cargo volumes contribute to congestion throughout the logistics network, making accurate documentation even more important for efficient border clearance, particularly for wine and spirits shipments, where multiple regulatory filings must align before cargo is released.
Documentation Accuracy Matters
One area receiving increased attention is the consistency of information submitted through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) and related regulatory filings.
Importers should verify that Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) information accurately matches product descriptions listed on commercial invoices and other import documents. Mismatched descriptions, incorrect product details, or missing information can trigger additional reviews before a shipment is released.
Review FDA and TTB Requirements Before Shipping
In addition to verifying COLA information, importers should confirm that all required regulatory documentation is complete before freight departs. Before your next shipment, consider reviewing the following:
- Verify Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) information matches commercial invoice descriptions.
- Confirm FDA facility registration information is current.
- Confirm Prior Notice submissions have been successfully accepted, when required.
- Review supporting import documentation for consistency across all filing systems.
Taking time to validate documentation before cargo reaches the border can help reduce the likelihood of avoidable customs delays.
Plan Ahead During Peak Import Season
With containerized import volumes running at record levels, importers with upcoming wine and spirits shipments should allow additional time for documentation review and customs processing, particularly for time-sensitive deliveries.
How Alba Can Help
Preparing documentation before cargo arrives at the border remains one of the most effective ways to minimize delays.
Alba’s customs brokerage team can review shipment documentation before cargo arrives, identify potential discrepancies, and help ensure customs entries are complete and accurate. Addressing documentation issues early can reduce the risk of unnecessary holds and help keep shipments moving efficiently.
Questions about your next wine or spirits shipment?
Contact the Alba team to review your documentation before your cargo reaches the border. Get in touch here.
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