China’s imports soared 27.4% yoy to USD 271.35 billion in May 2026, accelerating from a 25.3% growth in April and topping market forecasts of 25%. It was the 12th month of growth in purchases, boosted by solid domestic demand despite rising cost pressures from supply chain disruptions and elevated energy costs due to the war in the Middle East. A relatively low base from a year earlier also helped lift the annual pace of expansion. Over the first six months of the year, imports jumped 24.5% to USD 1,261.69 billion, buoyed by robust demand from ASEAN (21.0%), the EU (8.6%), Japan (27.8%), Hong Kong (173.2%), and South Korea (56.5%), but fell from the U.S. (-5.5%). Imports of ADP equipment surged 65.1%, while purchases of semiconductors and circuits each rose 11.5% and 52.1%. Volume increases were seen for edible oils (24.2%), copper ore (36.7%), refined oil (6.74%), rare earths (40.6%), and unwrought copper (26.1%), but dropped for natural gas (-10.1%), coal (-2.9%), and steel (-8.5%). source: General Administration of Customs

Imports YoY in China increased to 27.40 percent in May from 25.30 percent in April of 2026. Imports YoY in China averaged 13.42 percent from 1991 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 85.90 percent in January of 2010 and a record low of -43.10 percent in January of 2009. This page includes a chart with historical data for China Imports YoY. China Imports YoY - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on June of 2026.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-05-09 03:00 AM
Imports YoY
Apr 25.3% 27.8% 15.2%
2026-06-09 03:00 AM
Imports YoY
May 27.4% 25.3% 25%
2026-07-14 03:00 AM
Imports YoY
Jun 27.4%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Balance of Trade 105.43 84.80 USD Billion May 2026
China Trade Balance – Yuan Terms 723.98 585.60 CNY Billion May 2026
Exports 376.78 359.44 USD Billion May 2026
Exports YoY 19.40 14.10 percent May 2026
Exports – Yuan Terms 2481.72 2229.70 CNY Billion Apr 2026
Imports 271.35 274.62 USD Billion May 2026
Imports YoY 27.40 25.30 percent May 2026
Imports – Yuan Terms 1896.03 1874.94 CNY Billion Apr 2026
Terms of Trade 89.60 94.20 points Apr 2026


China Imports YoY
Machinery and transport equipment dominate China’s import mix, accounting for about 38% of total inbound shipments. Key components within this category include electrical machinery and appliances (21%), road vehicles (4%), telecommunications and audio-visual equipment (3%), and office machines and data-processing equipment (3%). China also imports significant volumes of mineral fuels, lubricants, and related materials (17%), driven largely by petroleum and petroleum products (13%) and natural and manufactured gas (3%). Crude, inedible materials excluding fuels make up 14% of imports, with metalliferous ores and metal scrap contributing 9%. Chemicals and related products represent 11% of total imports, led by organic chemicals (3%) and plastics in primary forms (3%). Additional import categories include miscellaneous manufactured articles (7%), manufactured goods classified chiefly by material (7%), and food and live animals (4%). The European Union is China’s largest source of imports, supplying 13% of the total, with Germany (5%) and France (2%) being major contributors. Other key import partners include South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan (each around 8%), followed by the United States and Australia (6% each). Brazil provides about 4%, while Malaysia, Vietnam, Russia, and Saudi Arabia each account for roughly 3%, and Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia about 2% apiece.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
27.40 25.30 85.90 -43.10 1991 - 2026 percent Monthly
NSA

News Stream
China Imports Rise More than Expected
China’s imports soared 27.4% yoy to USD 271.35 billion in May 2026, accelerating from a 25.3% growth in April and topping market forecasts of 25%. It was the 12th month of growth in purchases, boosted by solid domestic demand despite rising cost pressures from supply chain disruptions and elevated energy costs due to the war in the Middle East. A relatively low base from a year earlier also helped lift the annual pace of expansion. Over the first six months of the year, imports jumped 24.5% to USD 1,261.69 billion, buoyed by robust demand from ASEAN (21.0%), the EU (8.6%), Japan (27.8%), Hong Kong (173.2%), and South Korea (56.5%), but fell from the U.S. (-5.5%). Imports of ADP equipment surged 65.1%, while purchases of semiconductors and circuits each rose 11.5% and 52.1%. Volume increases were seen for edible oils (24.2%), copper ore (36.7%), refined oil (6.74%), rare earths (40.6%), and unwrought copper (26.1%), but dropped for natural gas (-10.1%), coal (-2.9%), and steel (-8.5%).
2026-06-09
China Imports Extend Record Run
China’s imports surged 25.3% yoy to USD 274.62 billion in April 2026, marking the second straight month of record-high purchases. While easing from a 27.8% jump in March, the latest result still comfortably exceeded market forecasts of 15.2%, lifted by firm domestic demand despite rising inflationary pressures from supply chain disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and elevated energy costs. Over the first four months of the year, imports jumped 23.6% to USD 989.2 billion, boosted by higher demand from ASEAN (19.1%), the EU (11.5%), Japan (27.5%), Hong Kong (204.0%), and South Korea (49.5%); but fell from the U.S. (-10.9%). Imports of data processing equipment surged 60.6%, while purchases of semiconductors and integrated circuits each rose by 13.2% and 47.8%, respectively. Volume increases were seen for edible oils (25.9%), copper ore (36.9%), refined oil (14.4%), rare earths (93.3%), and unwrought copper (21.4%), but dropped for natural gas (-15.1%), coal (-5.9%), and steel (-7.8%).
2026-05-09
China Imports Hit Record High Amid Global Supply Pressures
China’s imports surged 27.8% year-over-year to a record USD 269.9 billion in March 2026, marking the steepest increase since November 2021 and exceeding market expectations of 11.1%. This follows February’s 13.8% rise, highlighting China’s intensified efforts to secure resources despite supply chain disruptions and elevated costs linked to the Iran conflict. High-tech imports, including semiconductors, soared 29.2%. Imports from key partners saw significant gains: ASEAN (17.5%), Japan (35.2%), South Korea (58.8%), Taiwan (14.4%), Australia (87.6%), and the EU (8.5%), while US imports edged up 1.0%. For Q1 2026, total imports rose 22.7% to USD 712.86 billion. Volume increases were notable for iron ore (10.5%), crude oil (8.9%), and rare earths (30%), though declines were recorded for soybeans (-3.1%), steel (-14.1%), and unwrought copper (-14.2%).
2026-04-14


International Trade
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