China’s exports surged 14.1% year-on-year to a record high of USD 359.44 billion in April 2026, far exceeding forecasts of 7.9% and accelerating sharply from March’s 2.5% rise, which was the weakest growth since October 2025. The acceleration in growth came as companies rushed to stockpile components from the manufacturing powerhouse amid fears that the Iran war could push input costs even higher. Shipments to the US soared 11.3% year-on-year to USD 36.8 billion, returning to growth after a 26.5% plunge in March despite tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Shipments to the United States had also fallen 11% in January and February combined. Significant increases in shipments were also seen to Southeast Asia and Europe, the country’s major export destinations, while shipments to Japan rose 4%. For the first four months of the year, total exports still grew 14.5% year-on-year to USD 1.34 trillion. However, during the period, sales to the US dropped 10.2%. source: General Administration of Customs

Exports YoY in China increased to 14.10 percent in April from 2.50 percent in March of 2026. Exports YoY in China averaged 13.93 percent from 1991 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 154.30 percent in February of 2021 and a record low of -40.60 percent in February of 2020. This page includes a chart with historical data for China Exports YoY. China Exports YoY - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on May of 2026.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-04-14 03:00 AM
Exports YoY
Mar 2.5% 39.6% 8.3%
2026-05-09 03:00 AM
Exports YoY
Apr 14.1% 2.5% 7.9%
2026-06-09 03:00 AM
Exports YoY
May 14.1%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Passanger Car Exports 652009.00 627151.00 Mar 2026
Balance of Trade 84.82 51.13 USD Billion Apr 2026
China Trade Balance – Yuan Terms 585.69 354.75 CNY Billion Apr 2026
Electric Car Exports 206777.00 196073.00 Units Mar 2026
Exports 359.44 321.03 USD Billion Apr 2026
Exports YoY 14.10 2.50 percent Apr 2026
Exports – Yuan Terms 2481.72 2229.70 CNY Billion Apr 2026
Imports 274.62 269.90 USD Billion Apr 2026
Imports YoY 25.30 27.80 percent Apr 2026
Imports – Yuan Terms 1896.03 1874.94 CNY Billion Apr 2026
Terms of Trade 89.60 94.20 points Apr 2026


China Exports YoY
Exports have long been a key driver of China’s rapid economic growth. In recent years, machinery and transport equipment have made up nearly half of all outbound shipments. Within this category, major contributors include electrical machinery and appliances (14%), telecommunications and audio-visual equipment (12%), office and data-processing machines (8%), and industrial machinery and machine parts (5%). Other important export groups include miscellaneous manufactured goods (23%); manufactured products classified by material (16%)—notably textile yarn, fabrics and related articles (5%), metal manufactures (4%), and iron and steel (2%); chemicals and related products (6%); and food and live animals (3%). The European Union and the United States remain China’s largest export markets, each accounting for more than 15% of total shipments. Other significant destinations include Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Germany, India, and the Netherlands (around 3% each).
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
14.10 2.50 154.30 -40.60 1991 - 2026 percent Monthly
NSA

News Stream
China Exports Hit Record High, US Shipments Rebound
China’s exports surged 14.1% year-on-year to a record high of USD 359.44 billion in April 2026, far exceeding forecasts of 7.9% and accelerating sharply from March’s 2.5% rise, which was the weakest growth since October 2025. The acceleration in growth came as companies rushed to stockpile components from the manufacturing powerhouse amid fears that the Iran war could push input costs even higher. Shipments to the US soared 11.3% year-on-year to USD 36.8 billion, returning to growth after a 26.5% plunge in March despite tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Shipments to the United States had also fallen 11% in January and February combined. Significant increases in shipments were also seen to Southeast Asia and Europe, the country’s major export destinations, while shipments to Japan rose 4%. For the first four months of the year, total exports still grew 14.5% year-on-year to USD 1.34 trillion. However, during the period, sales to the US dropped 10.2%.
2026-05-09
China Export Growth Below Expectations
China’s exports rose 2.5% year-on-year to USD 321.03 billion in March 2026, significantly missing forecasts of 8.3% and marking a sharp slowdown from February’s 39.6% surge. This marks the weakest growth since October 2025, driven by seasonal factors and a high base effect from March 2025’s tariff-driven export rush, rather than softening global demand. The later Lunar New Year in 2026 likely shortened March’s production window, while the exceptionally strong export growth in March 2025, driven by companies rushing to avoid US tariffs under President Donald Trump, created a challenging year-on-year comparison. Export growth slowed across most major regions, except for Taiwan and Hong Kong. Shipments to the US plunged 26.5%, resuming a downward trend after February’s brief pause in double-digit declines. For Q1 2026, total exports still grew 14.7% year-on-year to USD 977.61 billion.
2026-04-14
China Exports Surge 21.8% YoY in Jan-Feb
China’s exports jumped 21.8% year-on-year to USD 656.58 billion in January–February 2026, accelerating sharply from a 6.6% rise in December and easily surpassing market forecasts of 7.1%. The surge marked the fastest growth in outbound shipments since October 2021, supported by firm global demand and a strong start to the year. Sales increased to Japan (8.9%), Hong Kong (38.7%), South Korea (27.0%), Taiwan (28.7%), Australia (29.4%), the ASEAN countries (29.4%), and the EU (27.8%), but shrank to the U.S. (-11.0%). Sales of refined oil products, including diesel, gasoline, aviation fuel, and marine fuel, rose 12.7% to 8.13 million tons. President Trump’s renewed 2025 tariffs barely slowed China’s industrial momentum, as manufacturers redirected exports to Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America to offset the impact of U.S. tariffs. Meanwhile, analysts noted that China’s resilient exports and lower 2026 GDP growth target could delay the rollout of economic stimulus.
2026-03-10


International Trade
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