by Flagpictures.org
From January to March 2018, goods imported into China totaled $497.3 billion. This three-month metric puts Chinese imports on track for an annualized $1.989 trillion estimated for all 2018.
From a continental perspective, 55.9% of China’s total imports by value in 2017 were purchased from other Asian countries. European trade partners accounted for 17.7% of imported goods bought by China while 10.2% worth originated from North America. Smaller percentage of overall Chinese imports came from Latin America excluding Mexico but including the Caribbean (6.2%), Australia and other Oceanian sources (5.8%) and Africa (4%).
Given China’s population of 1.379 billion people, its total $1.841 trillion in 2017 imports translates to roughly $1,350 in yearly product demand from every person in the country.
China’s Top 10 Imports
Top 10
The following product groups represent the highest dollar value in China’s import purchases during 2017. Also shown is the percentage share each product category represents in terms of overall imports into China.
- Electrical machinery, equipment: US$455.5 billion (24.7% of total Chinese imports)
- Mineral fuels including oil: $247.6 billion (13.4%)
- Machinery including computers: $169.8 billion (9.2%)
- Ores, slag, ash: $125.4 billion (6.8%)
- Optical, technical, medical apparatus: $97.4 billion (5.3%)
- Vehicles: $79.2 billion (4.3%)
- Plastics, plastic articles: $68.9 billion (3.7%)
- Organic chemicals: $55.8 billion (3%)
- Oil seeds: $44.5 billion (2.4%)
- Copper: $41.2 billion (2.2%)
Note that the results listed above are at the categorized two-digit Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) code level. For a more detailed view of imported goods at the four-digit HTS code level, see the section Searchable List of China’s Most Valuable Import Products further down near the bottom of this article or under the adjacent product folder tabs.
China’s top 10 imports account for three-quarters (75.2%) of the overall value of its product purchases from other countries.
Imported mineral fuels including oil had the fastest-growing increase in value among the top 10 import categories, up 40.2% from 2016 to 2017.
In second place for expanding import purchases by China was the ores, slag and ash category via a 32.7% increase, trailed by Chinese imports of organic chemicals’ 27% gain and the 23.9% boost in copper imports.
The slowest improver among China’s top import categories was optical, technical and medical apparatus via a 5.1% year-over-year acceleration.
Also see the section Searchable List of China’s Most Valuable Import Products further down near the bottom of this article.
Electrical
In 2017, Chinese importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of electrical products including consumer electronics:
- Integrated circuits/microassemblies: US$258.6 billion (up 13.6% from 2016)
- Phone system devices including smartphones: $47.8 billion (up 4.1%)
- Solar power diodes/semi-conductors: $27.9 billion (up 0.02%)
- Lower-voltage switches, fuses: $15.5 billion (up 9.2%)
- TV/radio/radar device parts: $12.3 billion (up 30.9%)
- Printed circuits: $11.6 billion (up 12.4%)
- Electrical converters/power units: $11.1 billion (up 2.9%)
- Electrical capacitators: $8.7 billion (up 8.1%)
- Insulated wire/cable: $5.3 billion (up 7.2%)
- Unrecorded sound media: $5.1 billion (down -0.9%)
Among these import subcategories, China’s purchases of TV, radio or radar device parts (up 30.9%), integrated circuits or microassemblies (up 13.6%) and printed circuits (up 12.4%) grew at the fastest pace from 2016 to 2017.
These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported electronics among Chinese businesses and consumers.
Fuel
In 2017, Chinese importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of mineral fuels-related products:
- Crude oil: US$162.2 billion (up 39% from 2016)
- Petroleum gases: $33 billion (up 43.5%)
- Coal, solid fuels made from coal: $18.5 billion (up 60.9%)
- Processed petroleum oils: $14.5 billion (up 29.7%)
- Coal tar oils (high temperature distillation): $10.3 billion (up 18.5%)
- Lignite: $4.1 billion (up 53.7%)
- Petroleum oil residues: $2.5 billion (up 78.3%)
- Asphalt/petroleum bitumen mixes: $1.9 billion (up 103.8%)
- Electrical energy: $310.3 million (down -3%)
- Petroleum jelly, mineral waxes: $143 million (up 18.9%)
Among these import subcategories, China’s purchases of asphalt or petroleum bitumen mixes (up 103.8%), petroleum oil residues (up 78.3%) and coal including solid fuels made from coal (up 60.9%) grew at the fastest pace from 2016 to 2017.
These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported fossil fuel among Chinese businesses and consumers.
Machinery
In 2017, Chinese importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of machines including computers:
- Computers, optical readers: US$26 billion (up 1% from 2016)
- Machinery for making semi-conductors: $19.6 billion (up 40%)
- Computer parts, accessories: $14.7 billion (up 10.3%)
- Miscellaneous machinery: $12.4 billion (up 29.9%)
- Taps, valves, similar appliances: $7.7 billion (up 9.9%)
- Printing machinery: $7.7 billion (up 6.3%)
- Turbo-jets: $6.6 billion (up 15.5%)
- Transmission shafts, gears, clutches: $5.4 billion (up 18.2%)
- Air or vacuum pumps: $5.2 billion (up 7.5%)
- Liquid pumps and elevators: $4.3 billion (up 9.5%)
Among these import subcategories, China’s purchases of machinery for making semi-conductors (up 40%), miscellaneous machinery (up 29.9%) and transmission shafts, gears or clutches (up 18.2%) grew at the fastest pace from 2016 to 2017.
These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported machinery among Chinese businesses and consumers.
Ores
In 2017, Chinese importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of ores, slag or ash:
- Iron ores, concentrates: US$76.2 billion (up 31.2% from 2016)
- Copper ores, concentrates: $26.1 billion (up 25%)
- Manganese ores, concentrates: $4 billion (up 92.7%)
- Aluminum ores, concentrates: $3.5 billion (up 39.5%)
- Chromium ores, concentrates: $3.4 billion (up 112.8%)
- Precious metal ores, concentrates: $3 billion (up 13.3%)
- Zinc ores, concentrates: $2.2 billion (up 72.7%)
- Nickel ores, concentrates: $2.1 billion (up 37.1%)
- Lead ores, concentrates: $1.7 billion (up 15.8%)
- Tin ores, concentrates: $923.2 million (up 13.3%)
Among these import subcategories, China’s purchases of chromium ores or concentrates (up 112.8%), manganese ores or concentrates (up 92.7%) and zinc ores or concentrates (up 72.7%) grew at the fastest pace from 2016 to 2017.
These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported ores and concentrates among Chinese businesses and consumers.
Searchable List of China’s Most Valuable Import Products
At the more granular four-digit HTS code level, the top Chinese import products are electronic circuits and microassemblies, crude oil, iron, cars, mobile phones then soya beans.
The following searchable table displays 200 of China’s most in-demand imported goods during 2017. Shown beside each product label is its total import value then the percentage increase or decrease since 2016.
| Rank | Chinese Import Product | 2017 Value (US$) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Integrated circuits/microassemblies | $258.6 billion | +13.6% |
| 2 | Crude oil | $162.2 billion | +39% |
| 3 | Iron ores, concentrates | $76.2 billion | +31.2% |
| 4 | Cars | $49.9 billion | +13.5% |
| 5 | Phone system devices including smartphones | $47.8 billion | +4.1% |
| 6 | Soya beans | $39.6 billion | +16.6% |
| 7 | Liquid crystal/laser/optical tools | $37.2 billion | -2.1% |
| 8 | Petroleum gases | $33 billion | +43.5% |
| 9 | Solar power diodes/semi-conductors | $27.9 billion | +0.02% |
| 10 | Automobile parts/accessories | $27.1 billion | +6.3% |
| 11 | Copper ores, concentrates | $26.1 billion | +25% |
| 12 | Computers, optical readers | $26 billion | +1% |
| 13 | Aircraft, spacecraft | $23.7 billion | +16.1% |
| 14 | Refined copper, unwrought alloys | $20.6 billion | +13.8% |
| 15 | Cyclic hydrocarbons | $19.8 billion | +27% |
| 16 | Machinery for making semi-conductors | $19.6 billion | +40% |
| 17 | Coal, solid fuels made from coal | $18.5 billion | +60.9% |
| 18 | Medication mixes in dosage | $17.2 billion | +21.8% |
| 19 | Ethylene polymers | $16.9 billion | +20.6% |
| 20 | Lower-voltage switches, fuses | $15.5 billion | +9.2% |
| 21 | Computer parts, accessories | $14.7 billion | +10.3% |
| 22 | Processed petroleum oils | $14.5 billion | +29.7% |
| 23 | Miscellaneous machinery | $12.4 billion | +29.9% |
| 24 | TV/radio/radar device parts | $12.3 billion | +30.9% |
| 25 | Acyclic alcohols | $11.8 billion | +39.5% |
| 26 | Chemical woodpulp (non-dissolving) | $11.8 billion | +25.5% |
| 27 | Printed circuits | $11.6 billion | +12.4% |
| 28 | Electrical converters/power units | $11.1 billion | +2.9% |
| 29 | Other measuring/testing machines | $11 billion | +12.5% |
| 30 | Coal tar oils (high temperature distillation) | $10.3 billion | +18.5% |
| 31 | Sawn wood | $10.1 billion | +23.7% |
| 32 | Rough wood | $9.9 billion | +22.8% |
| 33 | Copper waste, scrap | $9.2 billion | +48.2% |
| 34 | Electrical capacitators | $8.7 billion | +8.1% |
| 35 | Polyacetal/ether/carbonates | $8.6 billion | +14.3% |
| 36 | Synthetic rubber | $8.5 billion | +58.2% |
| 37 | Physical/chemical analysis tools | $7.9 billion | +9.4% |
| 38 | Diamonds (unmounted/unset) | $7.9 billion | +2.8% |
| 39 | Taps, valves, similar appliances | $7.7 billion | +9.9% |
| 40 | Printing machinery | $7.7 billion | +6.3% |
| 41 | Electro-medical equip (e.g. xrays) | $7.4 billion | +9.5% |
| 42 | Optical fiber cables, sheets, plates | $7.4 billion | +13.6% |
| 43 | Blood fractions (including antisera) | $6.9 billion | +22.6% |
| 44 | Plastic plates, sheets, film, tape, strips | $6.8 billion | +7.1% |
| 45 | Turbo-jets | $6.6 billion | +15.5% |
| 46 | Iron ferroalloys | $6.5 billion | +40.2% |
| 47 | Propylene/olefin polymers | $6.4 billion | +9.2% |
| 48 | Acyclic hydrocarbons | $6.2 billion | +39.5% |
| 49 | Chemical industry products/residuals | $6.1 billion | +4.6% |
| 50 | Paper/paperboard waste, scrap | $5.9 billion | +17.8% |
| 51 | Styrene polymers | $5.8 billion | +25.1% |
| 52 | Beauty/makeup/skin care preparations | $5.8 billion | +45.1% |
| 53 | Transmission shafts, gears, clutches | $5.4 billion | +18.2% |
| 54 | Insulated wire/cable | $5.3 billion | +7.2% |
| 55 | Air or vacuum pumps | $5.2 billion | +7.5% |
| 56 | Unrecorded sound media | $5.1 billion | -0.9% |
| 57 | Electrical/optical circuit boards, panels | $5.1 billion | +6% |
| 58 | Yarn (85%+ cotton) | $5.1 billion | +7.2% |
| 59 | Regulate/control instruments | $5 billion | +11.5% |
| 60 | Natural rubber | $4.9 billion | +46.6% |
| 61 | Unrefined copper | $4.8 billion | +39.4% |
| 62 | Electrical machinery | $4.8 billion | +9.2% |
| 63 | Microphones/headphones/amps | $4.7 billion | +22.5% |
| 64 | TV receiver/transmit/digital cameras | $4.7 billion | -18.5% |
| 65 | Flour/meal/starch/malt extract food preparations | $4.5 billion | +29.4% |
| 66 | Liquid pumps and elevators | $4.3 billion | +9.5% |
| 67 | Electric storage batteries | $4.1 billion | +6.5% |
| 68 | Lignite | $4.1 billion | +53.7% |
| 69 | Electric circuit parts, fuses, switches | $4 billion | +13.5% |
| 70 | Centrifuges, filters and purifiers | $4 billion | +12.5% |
| 71 | Manganese ores, concentrates | $4 billion | +92.7% |
| 72 | Electric motors, generators | $3.9 billion | +4.1% |
| 73 | Lenses, prisms, mirrors | $3.8 billion | +20.5% |
| 74 | Whole fish (frozen) | $3.7 billion | +14.8% |
| 75 | Piston engine parts | $3.7 billion | +13.3% |
| 76 | Ball, roller bearings | $3.6 billion | +13.7% |
| 77 | Metal-working machinery | $3.5 billion | +22.2% |
| 78 | Palm oil | $3.5 billion | +22% |
| 79 | Aluminum ores, concentrates | $3.5 billion | +39.5% |
| 80 | Chromium ores, concentrates | $3.4 billion | +112.8% |
| 81 | Miscellaneous plastic items | $3.4 billion | +9.5% |
| 82 | Oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers | $3.3 billion | -1.6% |
| 83 | X-ray equipment | $3.3 billion | +4.2% |
| 84 | Orthopedic appliances | $3.3 billion | +12.6% |
| 85 | Plastics waste, scrap | $3.3 billion | -11.8% |
| 86 | Iron and steel screws, bolts, nuts, washers | $3.1 billion | +6.2% |
| 87 | Frozen beef | $3 billion | +21.7% |
| 88 | Rubber/plastic article making machines | $3 billion | +29% |
| 89 | Precious metal ores, concentrates | $3 billion | +13.3% |
| 90 | Copper foil | $2.9 billion | +21.5% |
| 91 | Platinum (unwrought) | $2.9 billion | +9.1% |
| 92 | Hydrogen, rare gases | $2.9 billion | +11.3% |
| 93 | Aluminum waste, scrap | $2.8 billion | +28.5% |
| 94 | Wine | $2.8 billion | +18.2% |
| 95 | Self-adhesive plastic in rolls | $2.8 billion | +5.2% |
| 96 | Wool (uncarded, uncombed) | $2.7 billion | +17.3% |
| 97 | Heterocyclics, nucleic acids | $2.7 billion | +27.8% |
| 98 | Engines (diesel) | $2.7 billion | +25.5% |
| 99 | Nickel (unwrought) | $2.6 billion | -24.9% |
| 100 | Lifting/loading machinery | $2.6 billion | +15.7% |
| 101 | Chemical woodpulp (dissolving) | $2.5 billion | +20.6% |
| 102 | Petroleum oil residues | $2.5 billion | +78.3% |
| 103 | Crustaceans (including lobsters) | $2.5 billion | +17.9% |
| 104 | Liquid/gas checking instruments | $2.5 billion | +9.6% |
| 105 | Polyamides | $2.5 billion | +7.6% |
| 106 | Inedible meat flour | $2.4 billion | +36.7% |
| 107 | Flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel products (plated/coated) | $2.4 billion | +4.9% |
| 108 | Zinc (unwrought) | $2.4 billion | +118.6% |
| 109 | Prepared glues, adhesives | $2.3 billion | +10.4% |
| 110 | Acrylic polymers | $2.3 billion | +21.6% |
| 111 | Miscellaneous iron or steel items | $2.3 billion | +7.1% |
| 112 | Cases, handbags, wallets | $2.3 billion | +21.1% |
| 113 | Vulcanized rubber items | $2.3 billion | +7.4% |
| 114 | Electrical lighting/signaling equpment, defrosters | $2.2 billion | +13.6% |
| 115 | Zinc ores, concentrates | $2.2 billion | +72.7% |
| 116 | Aircraft parts | $2.2 billion | +1.4% |
| 117 | Swine meat | $2.2 billion | -30.4% |
| 118 | Cobalt | $2.2 billion | +118.6% |
| 119 | Concentrated/sweetened milk, cream | $2.2 billion | +46.1% |
| 120 | Red meat offal | $2.2 billion | -13.3% |
| 121 | Cotton (uncarded, uncombed) | $2.2 billion | +39.6% |
| 122 | Electrical resistors | $2.2 billion | -5.7% |
| 123 | Cast/rolled glass in sheets | $2.2 billion | +39.3% |
| 124 | Rape/colza seeds | $2.2 billion | +45.1% |
| 125 | Piston engines | $2.1 billion | -1.6% |
| 126 | Temperature-change machines | $2.1 billion | -0.8% |
| 127 | Nickel ores, concentrates | $2.1 billion | +37.1% |
| 128 | Hot-rolled iron or non-alloy steel products | $2.1 billion | +17.1% |
| 129 | Flat-rolled other alloy steel products | $2 billion | +15% |
| 130 | Lubricant preparations | $2 billion | +10.6% |
| 131 | Radioactive chemical elements | $2 billion | -4.4% |
| 132 | Miscellaneous machine electrical parts | $1.9 billion | +3.6% |
| 133 | Wrist/pocket watches (no precious metal case) | $1.9 billion | +23.9% |
| 134 | Fuel wood, wood chips, sawdust | $1.9 billion | -1.5% |
| 135 | Machinery parts | $1.9 billion | +16.9% |
| 136 | Miscellaneous fruits (fresh) | $1.9 billion | +1.1% |
| 137 | Asphalt/petroleum bitumen mixes | $1.9 billion | +103.8% |
| 138 | Other food preparations | $1.8 billion | +24.2% |
| 139 | Other machine parts, accessories | $1.8 billion | +23.8% |
| 140 | Rice | $1.8 billion | +15.2% |
| 141 | Barley | $1.8 billion | +59.1% |
| 142 | Bovine/equine rawhides, skins | $1.8 billion | -1.6% |
| 143 | Potassic fertilizers | $1.8 billion | +0.2% |
| 144 | Monument/building stone including marble | $1.7 billion | +41.2% |
| 145 | Lead ores, concentrates | $1.7 billion | +15.8% |
| 146 | Interchangeable hand/machine tools | $1.7 billion | +14.3% |
| 147 | Miscellaneous engines, motors | $1.7 billion | +21.5% |
| 148 | Amino-resins | $1.7 billion | +30.6% |
| 149 | Spray/dispersing mechanical appliances | $1.7 billion | +10.1% |
| 150 | Other animal leather | $1.6 billion | -3.8% |
| 151 | Initiators/accelerators, catalytic preps | $1.6 billion | +32.5% |
| 152 | Photographic chemicals | $1.6 billion | +10.5% |
| 153 | Seats (excluding barber/dentist chairs) | $1.5 billion | +11% |
| 154 | Other diagnostic/lab reagents | $1.5 billion | +6.7% |
| 155 | Vinyl chloride polymers | $1.5 billion | +17.9% |
| 156 | Dishwashing, clean/dry/fill machines | $1.5 billion | +6.4% |
| 157 | Footwear (textile) | $1.5 billion | +37.6% |
| 158 | Other organic cleaning preparations | $1.5 billion | +13.7% |
| 159 | Sweet potatoes, similar roots/tubers | $1.4 billion | +2.3% |
| 160 | Sanitary towels, baby napkins/liners | $1.4 billion | +8.4% |
| 161 | Polycarboxylic acids | $1.4 billion | +24.9% |
| 162 | Footwear (leather) | $1.4 billion | +6.9% |
| 163 | Flat-rolled stainless steel items | $1.4 billion | +57.2% |
| 164 | Plastic plates, sheets, film, tape, strips | $1.4 billion | +8.2% |
| 165 | Synthetic yarn woven fabrics | $1.4 billion | -0.5% |
| 166 | Bovine/equine leather | $1.4 billion | -0.6% |
| 167 | Silver (unwrought) | $1.4 billion | +67.3% |
| 168 | Chemicals used in electronics | $1.3 billion | +20.8% |
| 169 | Machine-tool for metal | $1.3 billion | +6% |
| 170 | Industrial fatty acids and alcohols | $1.3 billion | +17.2% |
| 171 | Cold-rolled iron or non-alloy steel products | $1.3 billion | +13% |
| 172 | Nickel matte, oxide sinters | $1.3 billion | +50.8% |
| 173 | Miscellaneous furniture | $1.3 billion | +24.9% |
| 174 | Synthetic filament yarn | $1.2 billion | +5.9% |
| 175 | Iron or steel scrap | $1.2 billion | +32.9% |
| 176 | Non-sublimed sulphur | $1.2 billion | +6.6% |
| 177 | Plastic packing goods, lids, caps | $1.2 billion | +2% |
| 178 | Ethers | $1.2 billion | +7.7% |
| 179 | Heavy machinery (bulldozers, excavators, road rollers) | $1.2 billion | +78.4% |
| 180 | Unmanufactured tobacco, tobacco waste | $1.2 billion | +7.1% |
| 181 | Moulding boxes/base | $1.2 billion | +1.3% |
| 182 | Metal soldering/hot-spray equipment | $1.2 billion | +32.3% |
| 183 | Bent, edgeworked glass | $1.2 billion | +0.3% |
| 184 | Material removal machine-tools | $1.2 billion | +37.5% |
| 185 | Aluminum oxide/hydroxide | $1.2 billion | +24.8% |
| 186 | Coated paper | $1.2 billion | +9.6% |
| 187 | Alcohol (including spirits, liqueurs) | $1.2 billion | +29.6% |
| 188 | Copper plates, sheets, strips | $1.2 billion | +27% |
| 189 | Connector/insulating parts | $1.1 billion | +21.1% |
| 190 | Electric water heaters, hair dryers | $1.1 billion | +28.8% |
| 191 | Anti-knock/oxidation/gum inhibitors | $1.1 billion | +2.7% |
| 192 | Sugar (cane or beet) | $1.1 billion | -7.9% |
| 193 | Phenols/phenol-alcohols | $1.1 billion | +35.9% |
| 194 | Electric ignition/start equipment | $1.1 billion | +1.2% |
| 195 | Coconut/palm/babassu oil | $1.1 billion | +21.8% |
| 196 | Refrigerators, freezers | $1.1 billion | +13.1% |
| 197 | Moluscs | $1 billion | +13.5% |
| 198 | Wheat | $1 billion | +28.8% |
| 199 | Poultry meat | $1 billion | -19.7% |
| 200 | Plastic tubes, pipes, fittings | $1 billion | +12.9% |
These 200 imported goods were worth a subtotal of US$1.581 trillion or 85.9% by value for all products imported into the People’s Republic during 2017.
See also China’s Top 10 Exports, China’s Top Trading Partners, Top Chinese Trade Balances and China’s Top 10 Major Export Companies
Research Sources:
International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook Database (GDP based on Purchasing Power Parity). Accessed on August 8, 2018
The World Factbook, Country Profiles, Central Intelligence Agency. Accessed on August 8, 2018
Trade Map, International Trade Centre, www.intracen.org/marketanalysis. Accessed on August 8, 2018
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