China’s exports surged 19.4% yoy to a record high of USD 376.78 billion in May 2026, far exceeding forecasts of 15% and accelerating sharply from April’s 14.1% rise. It was the fastest increase since February, as companies continued to build inventories to pre-empt energy price pressures stemming from the ongoing war in the Middle East, while persistent demand for semiconductors and AI hardware also supported exports. Among trading partners, outbound shipments grew to Japan (10.9%), the US (35.4%), Australia (23.6%), South Korea (42.1%), Taiwan (32.2%), the EU (7.6%), and ASEAN (24.3%). For the first five months of the year, total exports rose 15.5% year-on-year to USD 1.71 trillion. During the period, increases in export volumes were recorded for rare earths (2.2%), pharmaceuticals (7.6%), fertilizer (11.9%), unwrought aluminum and aluminum products (10.4%), and integrated circuits (8.7%), while volumes declined for refined oil (-12.0%), shoes and boots (-5.7%), and steel (-8.1%). source: General Administration of Customs

Exports YoY in China increased to 19.40 percent in May from 14.10 percent in April of 2026. Exports YoY in China averaged 13.94 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 July of 2026.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-05-09 03:00 AM
Exports YoY
Apr 14.1% 2.5% 7.9%
2026-06-09 03:00 AM
Exports YoY
May 19.4% 14.1% 15%
2026-07-14 03:00 AM
Exports YoY
Jun 19.4%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Passanger Car Exports 857377.00 805293.00 May 2026
Balance of Trade 105.43 84.80 USD Billion May 2026
China Trade Balance – Yuan Terms 723.98 585.69 CNY Billion May 2026
Electric Car Exports 278688.00 278081.00 Units May 2026
Exports 376.78 359.44 USD Billion May 2026
Exports YoY 19.40 14.10 percent May 2026
Exports – Yuan Terms 2587.78 2481.72 CNY Billion May 2026
Imports 271.35 274.62 USD Billion May 2026
Imports YoY 27.40 25.30 percent May 2026
Imports – Yuan Terms 1863.80 1896.03 CNY Billion May 2026
Terms of Trade 87.60 88.20 points May 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
19.40 14.10 154.30 -40.60 1991 - 2026 percent Monthly
NSA

News Stream
China Exports Hit New Record High
China’s exports surged 19.4% yoy to a record high of USD 376.78 billion in May 2026, far exceeding forecasts of 15% and accelerating sharply from April’s 14.1% rise. It was the fastest increase since February, as companies continued to build inventories to pre-empt energy price pressures stemming from the ongoing war in the Middle East, while persistent demand for semiconductors and AI hardware also supported exports. Among trading partners, outbound shipments grew to Japan (10.9%), the US (35.4%), Australia (23.6%), South Korea (42.1%), Taiwan (32.2%), the EU (7.6%), and ASEAN (24.3%). For the first five months of the year, total exports rose 15.5% year-on-year to USD 1.71 trillion. During the period, increases in export volumes were recorded for rare earths (2.2%), pharmaceuticals (7.6%), fertilizer (11.9%), unwrought aluminum and aluminum products (10.4%), and integrated circuits (8.7%), while volumes declined for refined oil (-12.0%), shoes and boots (-5.7%), and steel (-8.1%).
2026-06-09
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


International Trade
Exports by Country  |   Exports by Category  |   Imports by Country  |   Imports by Category