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%). source: General Administration of Customs

Imports YoY in China increased to 27.80 percent in March from 13.80 percent in February of 2026. Imports YoY in China averaged 13.36 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 April of 2026.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-03-10 03:00 AM
Imports YoY
Jan-Feb 19.8% 5.7% 6.3%
2026-04-14 03:00 AM
Imports YoY
Mar 27.8% 13.8% 11.1%
2026-05-09 03:00 AM
Imports YoY
Apr 27.8%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Balance of Trade 51.13 90.98 USD Billion Mar 2026
China Trade Balance – Yuan Terms 354.75 637.55 CNY Billion Mar 2026
Exports 321.03 299.88 USD Billion Mar 2026
Exports YoY 2.50 39.60 percent Mar 2026
Exports – Yuan Terms 2229.70 2099.43 CNY Billion Mar 2026
Imports 269.90 208.90 USD Billion Mar 2026
Imports YoY 27.80 13.80 percent Mar 2026
Imports – Yuan Terms 1874.94 1461.88 CNY Billion Mar 2026
Terms of Trade 92.50 99.20 points Feb 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
27.80 13.80 85.90 -43.10 1991 - 2026 percent Monthly
NSA

News Stream
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
China Imports Climb 19.8% YoY
China’s imports soared 19.8% yoy to USD 442.96 billion in the first two months of 2026, far above market expectations of 6.3% and after a 5.7% increase in the prior month. It was the strongest pace of purchases since early 2022, boosted by solid domestic demand during the festive season. Imports grew from Japan (26.5%), Hong Kong (322.9%), South Korea (35.8%), Taiwan (19.2%), ASEAN (12.9%), and the EU (11.7%), but fell from the U.S. (-26.7%). Crude oil imports jumped 15.8% to 96.93 million metric tons, as refiners kept throughput high and boosted stockpiles. Imports of copper concentrates and ores rose 4.9% to 4.93 million tons, while coal purchases added 1.5% to 77.22 million metric tons. In contrast, arrivals of unwrought copper fell 16.1% to 700,000 tons. Natural gas imports dropped 1.1% to 20.02 million tons. This year, imports are expected to grow modestly, helped by policy support aimed at boosting consumption, though property weakness and trade tensions may cap growth.
2026-03-10
China Import Growth Beats Estimates
China’s imports rose 5.7% yoy to the highest in nearly four years of USD 243.64 billion in December 2025, picking up from a 1.9% gain in the previous month and easily surpassing market forecasts of 0.9%. It was the seventh straight monthly increase and the fastest pace since September, underscoring resilient year-end demand amid Beijing’s policy support and pre-Lunar New Year restocking. For 2025 as a whole, imports stalled at USD 2.58 trillion, with stronger demand from Japan (5.5%), Hong Kong (72.6%), Taiwan (6.0%), South Korea (3.1%), and India (9.7%) offsetting declines from the U.S. (-14.6%), ASEAN (-1.6%), the EU (-0.4%), and Russia (-3.9%). By product, import values rose for automatic data equipment (18.2%), high-tech goods (9.3%), and integrated circuits (10.1%), but fell for refined oil (-18.2%), natural gas (-13.0%), steel (-10.7%), and coal & lignite (-30.6%). Purchases in 2026 are expected to remain modest, hinging on domestic demand, policy support, and global trade ties.
2026-01-14


International Trade
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