Taiwan Imports Growth Below Forecasts

Imports to Taiwan rose by 29.2% year-on-year to USD 53.27 billion in April 2026, easing from a 38.3% gain in the previous month and coming in below market expectations of 38.75% growth. Despite the slowdown, all major import categories recorded increases, namely parts of electronic products (61.3%), information, communication and audio-video products (33.2%), mineral products (31.5%), machinery (27.5%), and chemicals (13%). By destination, imports rose the most from Mainland China and Hong Kong (28.6%), ASEAN (52.9%), South Korea (78.3%), the United States (32%), Japan (15.9%), and Europe (12%). In contrast, imports from the Middle East slumped 42%. For the January–April period, total imports reached USD 196.05 billion, up 33.2% compared with the same period in the previous year.

Imports to Taiwan climbed 38.3% year-on-year to a record peak of USD 58.91 billion in March 2026, easily exceeding market expectations of 18.1% and accelerating from 6.8% in the previous month. Imports surged for parts of electronic products (63.4%), information, communication, and audio-video products (131.6%), machinery (23.1%), and chemicals (12.1%). Meanwhile, arrivals tumbled for mineral products (-17.8%), particularly petroleum (-42.9%). By origin, arrivals increased the most from Mainland China and Hong Kong (38.1%), ASEAN (70.8%), Korea (69.5%), Japan (30.8%), Europe (12.9%) and the USA (18%). In contrast, arrivals from the Middle East plunged 34.7%. Considering the first quarter of 2026, total imports reached USD 142.78 billion, 34.8% higher compared to the same period last year.

Imports to Taiwan rose 6.8% year-on-year to USD 37 billion in February 2026, significantly easing from a 63.6% surge in the previous month and well below market expectations of a 23.7% gain. It was the weakest annual growth since the decline in January 2025, despite increased purchases of electronic products (24%), information, communication, and audio-video products (81.9%), and machinery (0.2%). Meanwhile, imports fell for mineral products (-30.2%), particularly petroleum (-32.5%), and chemicals (-18.3%). By origin, arrivals increased the most from Mainland China and Hong Kong (20.7%), ASEAN countries (27.5%), and South Korea (14.7%). Imports from Japan (-8%), the US (-7.5%), and Europe (-14.4%) declined. For the first two months of 2026, Taiwan's total imports reached USD 83.9 billion, a 32.5% increase compared with the same period a year earlier.