Freight rates for Far East-US West Coast shipping remain persistently high, keeping heavy cost pressure on all importers. Despite elevated ocean charges, import demand stays robust at the Port of Los Angeles. Official data shows its total container throughput in May posted a year-on-year increase, driven by active inbound cargo flows. Merchants rush to stock goods ahead of peak retail seasons, pushing up port volumes continuously. However, sustained expensive sea freight squeezes profit margins of importers, creating a tough balancing act between strong import demand and surging logistics expenses.