October U.S. import volume fell 1 percent

   U.S. import volume declined 1 percent in October, according to figures released this week by the trade intelligence firm Zepol Corp.
   Volume in October, as measured in TEUs, grew 0.3 percent against that in September. Year to date, U.S. inbound volume is up 1.1 percent over 2010.
   Zepol said shipments from Europe rose 10 percent in October, after a 15 percent drop in September, mostly due to increased imports from Italy, France and Spain.
   Pacific coast ports saw October volume rise 0.7 percent, after falling 9 percent in September, while imports into the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach increased 4.5 percent.
   Zepol tracks inbound containers using U.S. Customs data straight from carrier bills of lading as they are entered in the Automated Manifest System.