China’s imports are essential to fueling its economy, highlighting its reliance on materials and products from around the world.
In this post, we’ll break down China’s main imports and the key countries that play major roles in its trade.
Top 10 Product Categories China Imports (2023):
- Electrical machinery, apparatus, transistors, valves, and parts – $460,891 million
- Petroleum and petroleum products (including crude) – $377,984 million
- Metalliferous ores and scrap – $264,934 million
- Scientific and measuring instruments – $93,344 million
- Gold (non-monetary, excluding ores) – $91,917 million
- Gas (natural and manufactured) – $84,558 million
- Non-ferrous metals (like copper) – $72,402 million
- Road vehicles (including passenger and freight vehicles) – $70,604 million
- Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits – $66,584 million
- Specialised industrial equipment – $64,577 million
Total trade worth of the top 10 commodities: $1,648 billion
All Product Categories Total worth of import: $2,557 bln dollars
Percentage of total imports: 64.45%
Source: Comtrade UN
Top 10 Countries China Imports From:
In no particular order;
- Australia
- Russian Federation
- Republic of Korea
- Brazil
- Japan
- Malaysia
- United States
- Other parts of China
- Germany
Types of Imports and Percentage Breakdown
China imports a variety of goods, with machinery and transport equipment taking the lead. In fact, 38% of what China buys from abroad falls under this category. Electrical machinery, like appliances and equipment, makes up 21% of that share. Road vehicles add 4%, while telecommunications gear and office machines each contribute another 3%.
Energy-related imports are also a major part of China’s trade. They account for 17% of total imports, driven by petroleum products (13%) and natural or manufactured gas (3%). Raw materials like metal ores and scrap make up 14%, showing China’s need for industrial inputs. Chemicals follow at 11%, with organic chemicals and plastics each contributing 3%.
Source: China Imports
Imports in August 2024
In August 2024, China imported goods worth $218 billion, a slight increase of 0.48% compared to the same month in 2023. Key imports included integrated circuits, crude petroleum, iron ore, petroleum gas, and copper ore. China’s imports from Taiwan, South Korea, and the U.S. increased the most, reflecting strong demand for technology and industrial inputs.
source: OEC
