From a continental perspective, 55.9% of China’s total imports by value in 2018 were purchased from fellow Asian countries. European trade partners accounted for 17.7% of imported goods bought by China. Smaller percentage of overall Chinese imports came from suppliers in North America (9.3%), Latin America (6.7%) excluding Mexico but including the Caribbea, Australia and other Oceanian sources (5.7%) and Africa (4.6%).
Given China’s population of 1.385 billion people, its total $2.135 trillion in 2018 imports translates to roughly $1,500 in yearly product demand from every person in the Asian behemoth.
China’s Top 10 Imports
Top 10
The following product groups represent the highest dollar value in China’s import purchases during 2018. Also shown is the percentage share each product category represents in terms of overall imports into China.
- Electrical machinery, equipment: US$521.5 billion (24.4% of total imports)
- Mineral fuels including oil: $347.8 billion (16.3%)
- Machinery including computers: $202.3 billion (9.5%)
- Ores, slag, ash: $135.9 billion (6.4%)
- Optical, technical, medical apparatus: $102.5 billion (4.8%)
- Vehicles: $81.5 billion (3.8%)
- Plastics, plastic articles: $74.9 billion (3.5%)
- Organic chemicals: $67.4 billion (3.2%)
- Gems, precious metals: $62 billion (2.9%)
- Copper: $47.6 billion (2.2%)
China’s top 10 imports account for over three-quarters (77%) 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 39.3% from 2017 to 2018.
In second place for expanding import purchases by China was the organic chemicals category via its 20.7% increase, trailed by Chinese imports of machinery including computers’ 19.3% gain the the 15.4% boost in copper imports.
The sole decliner among China’s top import categories was gems and precious metals via its -5.1% year-over-year retreat. That decline was mostly caused by smaller imports of gold on international markets.
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.
Also see the section Searchable List of China’s Most Valuable Import Products further down near the bottom of this article.
Electrical
In 2018, Chinese importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of electrical products including consumer electronics.
- Integrated circuits/microassemblies: US$312.7 billion (up 19.7% from 2017)
- Phone system devices including smartphones: $48.9 billion (up 2.3%)
- Solar power diodes/semi-conductors: $28.5 billion (up 1.3%)
- Lower-voltage switches, fuses: $15.8 billion (up 1.9%)
- Electrical capacitators: $12.6 billion (up 46.9%)
- Printed circuits: $12.4 billion (up 7.2%)
- TV/radio/radar device parts: $12.3 billion (down 0.0%)
- Electrical converters/power units: $12.2 billion (up 10.2%)
- Insulated wire/cable: $5.8 billion (up 11.0%)
- Electrical/optical circuit boards, panels: $5.6 billion (up 10.6%)
Among these import subcategories, Chinese purchases of electrical capacitators (up 46.9%), integrated circuits and microassemblies (up 19.7%) and insulated wire or cable (up 11%) grew at the fastest pace from 2017 to 2018.
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 2018, Chinese importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of mineral fuels-related products.
- Crude oil: US$239.2 billion (up 46% from 2017)
- Petroleum gases: $50 billion (up 51.6%)
- Processed petroleum oils: $20.1 billion (up 38.3%)
- Coal, solid fuels made from coal: $19.6 billion (up 5.3%)
- Coal tar oils (high temperature distillation): $9.2 billion (down -12.9%)
- Lignite: $4.9 billion (up 21.3%)
- Petroleum oil residues: $3.4 billion (up 35.9%)
- Asphalt/petroleum bitumen mixes: $635.2 million (down -67.9%)
- Electrical energy: $254.6 million (down -18%)
- Tar pitch, coke: $223.5 million (up 169.4%)
Among these import subcategories, Chinese purchases of tar pitch or coke (up 169.4%), petroleum gases (up 51.6%) and crude oil (up 46%) grew at the fastest pace from 2017 to 2018.
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 2018, Chinese importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of machines including computers.
- Computers, optical readers: US$31.3 billion (up 21% from 2017)
- Machinery for making semi-conductors: $30.6 billion (up 55.7%)
- Computer parts, accessories: $19 billion (up 29.9%)
- Miscellaneous machinery: $13.3 billion (up 7.4%)
- Taps, valves, similar appliances: $9 billion (up 16.7%)
- Printing machinery: $8.1 billion (up 5.8%)
- Turbo-jets: $6.7 billion (up 2.1%)
- Air or vacuum pumps: $6.2 billion (up 17.9%)
- Transmission shafts, gears, clutches: $6.1 billion (up 12.5%)
- Liquid pumps and elevators: $5 billion (up 15.6%)
Among these import subcategories, Chinese purchases of machinery for making semi-conductors (up 55.7%), computer parts or accessories (up 29.9%) and computers including optical readers (up 21%) grew at the fastest pace from 2017 to 2018.
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 2018, Chinese importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of ores, slag or ash.
- Iron ores, concentrates: US$75 billion (down -1.9% from 2017)
- Copper ores, concentrates: $32.7 billion (up 21.7%)
- Manganese ores, concentrates: $5.8 billion (up 45.5%)
- Aluminum ores, concentrates: $4.4 billion (up 30.7%)
- Precious metal ores, concentrates: $3.6 billion (up 22.3%)
- Zinc ores, concentrates: $3.2 billion (up 42.3%)
- Nickel ores, concentrates: $3 billion (up 42.9%)
- Chromium ores, concentrates: $2.9 billion (down -16.8%)
- Lead ores, concentrates: $1.7 billion (down -0.8%)
- Niobium/zirconium ores, concentrates: $1.1 billion (up 35.1%)
Among these import subcategories, Chinese purchases of ores and concentrates for manganese (up 45.5%), nickel (up 42.9%) and zinc (up 42.3%) grew at the fastest pace from 2017 to 2018.
These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported ores and concentrates among Chinese businesses and consumers.
Searchable List of China’s Most Valuable Import Products
At the more granular four-digit HTS code level, the top Chinese import products are electronic circuits and microassemblies, crude oil, iron, cars, mobile phones then soya beans.
The following searchable table displays 200 of China’s most in-demand imported goods during 2018. Shown beside each product label is its total import value then the percentage increase or decrease since 2017.
| Rank | China's Import Product | 2018 Value (US$) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Integrated circuits/microassemblies | $312.7 billion | +19.7% |
| 2 | Crude oil | $239.2 billion | +46% |
| 3 | Iron ores, concentrates | $75 billion | -1.9% |
| 4 | Petroleum gases | $50 billion | +51.6% |
| 5 | Cars | $49.6 billion | -0.7% |
| 6 | Phone system devices including smartphones | $48.9 billion | +2.3% |
| 7 | Gold (unwrought) | $45.8 billion | -10.9% |
| 8 | Soya beans | $38.1 billion | -3.9% |
| 9 | Liquid crystal/laser/optical tools | $33.8 billion | -9.4% |
| 10 | Copper ores, concentrates | $32.7 billion | +21.7% |
| 11 | Computers, optical readers | $31.3 billion | +21% |
| 12 | Machinery for making semi-conductors | $30.6 billion | +55.7% |
| 13 | Automobile parts/accessories | $29.3 billion | +8.2% |
| 14 | Solar power diodes/semi-conductors | $28.5 billion | +1.3% |
| 15 | Aircraft, spacecraft | $27.6 billion | +20.1% |
| 16 | Refined copper, unwrought alloys | $25.6 billion | +24.3% |
| 17 | Cyclic hydrocarbons | $24.7 billion | +24.3% |
| 18 | Ethylene polymers | $20.7 billion | +22.4% |
| 19 | Processed petroleum oils | $20.1 billion | +38.3% |
| 20 | Coal, solid fuels made from coal | $19.6 billion | +5.3% |
| 21 | Computer parts, accessories | $19 billion | +29.9% |
| 22 | Medication mixes in dosage | $18.1 billion | +5.6% |
| 23 | Lower-voltage switches, fuses | $15.8 billion | +1.9% |
| 24 | Chemical woodpulp (non-dissolving) | $15.8 billion | +33.8% |
| 25 | Acyclic alcohols | $14 billion | +19% |
| 26 | Other measuring/testing machines | $13.6 billion | +24.3% |
| 27 | Miscellaneous machinery | $13.3 billion | +7.4% |
| 28 | Electrical capacitators | $12.6 billion | +46.9% |
| 29 | Printed circuits | $12.4 billion | +7.2% |
| 30 | TV/radio/radar device parts | $12.3 billion | 0% |
| 31 | Electrical converters/power units | $12.2 billion | +10.2% |
| 32 | Rough wood | $11 billion | +10.6% |
| 33 | Sawn wood | $10.1 billion | +0.6% |
| 34 | Polyacetal/ether/carbonates | $9.9 billion | +15% |
| 35 | Beauty/makeup/skin care preparations | $9.9 billion | +70.3% |
| 36 | Copper waste, scrap | $9.4 billion | +2.3% |
| 37 | Coal tar oils (high temperature distillation) | $9.2 billion | -12.9% |
| 38 | Physical/chemical analysis tools | $9.2 billion | +14.2% |
| 39 | Taps, valves, similar appliances | $9 billion | +16.7% |
| 40 | Diamonds (unmounted/unset) | $8.9 billion | +11.6% |
| 41 | Electro-medical equipment (e.g. xrays) | $8.6 billion | +16.4% |
| 42 | Blood fractions (including antisera) | $8.4 billion | +19% |
| 43 | Printing machinery | $8.1 billion | +5.8% |
| 44 | Optical fiber cables, sheets, plates | $7.7 billion | +4.6% |
| 45 | Synthetic rubber | $7.6 billion | -10.1% |
| 46 | Plastic plates, sheets, film, tape, strips | $7.3 billion | +7.7% |
| 47 | Acyclic hydrocarbons | $7.1 billion | +14.2% |
| 48 | Propylene/olefin polymers | $7 billion | +8% |
| 49 | Styrene polymers | $6.9 billion | +19.5% |
| 50 | Turbo-jets | $6.7 billion | +2.1% |
| 51 | Chemical industry products/residuals | $6.3 billion | +2% |
| 52 | Air or vacuum pumps | $6.2 billion | +17.9% |
| 53 | Transmission shafts, gears, clutches | $6.1 billion | +12.5% |
| 54 | Iron ferroalloys | $6.1 billion | -5.7% |
| 55 | Unrefined copper | $5.9 billion | +20% |
| 56 | Manganese ores, concentrates | $5.8 billion | +45.5% |
| 57 | Insulated wire/cable | $5.8 billion | +11% |
| 58 | Electrical/optical circuit boards, panels | $5.6 billion | +10.6% |
| 59 | Yarn (85%+ cotton) | $5.5 billion | +8% |
| 60 | Regulate/control instruments | $5.5 billion | +8.3% |
| 61 | Flour/meal/starch/malt extract food preparations | $5.4 billion | +20.4% |
| 62 | Electrical machinery | $5.4 billion | +11.6% |
| 63 | Liquid pumps and elevators | $5 billion | +15.6% |
| 64 | Unrecorded sound media | $5 billion | -1.9% |
| 65 | Electric storage batteries | $4.9 billion | +19.7% |
| 66 | Lignite | $4.9 billion | +21.3% |
| 67 | Centrifuges, filters and purifiers | $4.7 billion | +18% |
| 68 | Frozen beef | $4.7 billion | +55.9% |
| 69 | Microphones/headphones/amps | $4.6 billion | +0.8% |
| 70 | Whole fish (frozen) | $4.6 billion | +22.5% |
| 71 | TV receiver/transmit/digital cameras | $4.5 billion | -3% |
| 72 | Electric circuit parts, fuses, switches | $4.5 billion | +12% |
| 73 | Aluminum ores, concentrates | $4.4 billion | +30.7% |
| 74 | Crustaceans (including lobsters) | $4.4 billion | +74.1% |
| 75 | Paper/paperboard waste, scrap | $4.3 billion | -27% |
| 76 | Piston engine parts | $4 billion | +9.4% |
| 77 | Electric motors, generators | $4 billion | +0.9% |
| 78 | Orthopedic appliances | $3.8 billion | +17.3% |
| 79 | Lenses, prisms, mirrors | $3.8 billion | +0.5% |
| 80 | Oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers | $3.8 billion | +14.8% |
| 81 | X-ray equipment | $3.7 billion | +13.8% |
| 82 | Cobalt | $3.7 billion | +68.3% |
| 83 | Metal-working machinery | $3.7 billion | +5.7% |
| 84 | Miscellaneous plastic items | $3.7 billion | +9.2% |
| 85 | Ball, roller bearings | $3.7 billion | +2.8% |
| 86 | Precious metal ores, concentrates | $3.6 billion | +22.3% |
| 87 | Natural rubber | $3.6 billion | -26.6% |
| 88 | Petroleum oil residues | $3.4 billion | +35.9% |
| 89 | Palm oil | $3.4 billion | -2.9% |
| 90 | Rubber/plastic article making machines | $3.4 billion | +14.6% |
| 91 | Heterocyclics, nucleic acids | $3.4 billion | +23.8% |
| 92 | Zinc ores, concentrates | $3.2 billion | +42.3% |
| 93 | Iron and steel screws, bolts, nuts, washers | $3.2 billion | +3.2% |
| 94 | Wool (uncarded, uncombed) | $3.2 billion | +16.3% |
| 95 | Engines (diesel) | $3.2 billion | +16.7% |
| 96 | Cotton (uncarded, uncombed) | $3.2 billion | +44.8% |
| 97 | Platinum (unwrought) | $3.1 billion | +29.7% |
| 98 | Copper foil | $3 billion | +1.3% |
| 99 | Nickel ores, concentrates | $3 billion | +42.9% |
| 100 | Nickel (unwrought) | $3 billion | +11.6% |
| 101 | Cases, handbags, wallets | $2.9 billion | +27.9% |
| 102 | Liquid/gas checking instruments | $2.9 billion | +15.6% |
| 103 | Chromium ores, concentrates | $2.9 billion | -16.8% |
| 104 | Wine | $2.9 billion | +2.1% |
| 105 | Self-adhesive plastic in rolls | $2.8 billion | +3.3% |
| 106 | Chemical woodpulp (dissolving) | $2.8 billion | +9.2% |
| 107 | Lifting/loading machinery | $2.8 billion | +6.4% |
| 108 | Acrylic polymers | $2.8 billion | +18.4% |
| 109 | Electrical lighting/signaling equpment, defrosters | $2.8 billion | +23.7% |
| 110 | Temperature-change machines | $2.7 billion | +30.7% |
| 111 | Other food preparations | $2.7 billion | +43.3% |
| 112 | Cast/rolled glass in sheets | $2.7 billion | +25.8% |
| 113 | Aircraft parts | $2.7 billion | +22.3% |
| 114 | Polyamides | $2.7 billion | +9.9% |
| 115 | Piston engines | $2.7 billion | +25.6% |
| 116 | Aluminum waste, scrap | $2.5 billion | -11.3% |
| 117 | Inedible meat flour | $2.5 billion | +2.7% |
| 118 | Miscellaneous fruits (fresh) | $2.5 billion | +30.2% |
| 119 | Miscellaneous iron or steel items | $2.5 billion | +8.9% |
| 120 | Concentrated/sweetened milk, cream | $2.5 billion | +11.9% |
| 121 | Electrical resistors | $2.5 billion | +13.2% |
| 122 | Prepared adhesives, glues | $2.4 billion | +3.1% |
| 123 | Zinc (unwrought) | $2.4 billion | +2.1% |
| 124 | Hydrogen, rare gases | $2.4 billion | -16.1% |
| 125 | Vulcanized rubber items | $2.4 billion | +5.3% |
| 126 | Hot-rolled iron or non-alloy steel products | $2.4 billion | +15.4% |
| 127 | Machinery parts | $2.4 billion | +25.4% |
| 128 | Wrist/pocket watches (no precious metal case) | $2.3 billion | +17.5% |
| 129 | Fuel wood, wood chips, sawdust | $2.3 billion | +18.5% |
| 130 | Rape/colza seeds | $2.2 billion | +2.9% |
| 131 | Flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel products (plated/coated) | $2.2 billion | -8.5% |
| 132 | Flat-rolled stainless steel items | $2.2 billion | +53.1% |
| 133 | Lubricant preparations | $2.1 billion | +7.1% |
| 134 | Swine meat | $2.1 billion | -6.6% |
| 135 | Miscellaneous engines, motors | $2 billion | +18.1% |
| 136 | Flat-rolled other alloy steel products | $2 billion | +1.1% |
| 137 | Other machine parts, accessories | $2 billion | +9.6% |
| 138 | Initiators/accelerators, catalytic preps | $2 billion | +26.7% |
| 139 | Miscellaneous machine electrical parts | $2 billion | +3.5% |
| 140 | Amino-resins | $1.9 billion | +14.2% |
| 141 | Potassic fertilizers | $1.9 billion | +7.7% |
| 142 | Chemicals used in electronics | $1.9 billion | +40.9% |
| 143 | Footwear (leather) | $1.8 billion | +30% |
| 144 | Footwear (textile) | $1.8 billion | +23.4% |
| 145 | Radioactive chemical elements | $1.8 billion | +5.2% |
| 146 | Interchangeable hand/machine tools | $1.8 billion | +5.6% |
| 147 | Spray/dispersing mechanical appliances | $1.8 billion | +6% |
| 148 | Other diagnostic/lab reagents | $1.8 billion | +15.7% |
| 149 | Seats (excluding barber/dentist chairs) | $1.7 billion | +9.1% |
| 150 | Barley | $1.7 billion | -6.9% |
| 151 | Lead ores, concentrates | $1.7 billion | -0.8% |
| 152 | Photographic chemicals | $1.7 billion | +7.2% |
| 153 | Non-sublimed sulphur | $1.7 billion | +33.7% |
| 154 | Dishwashing, clean/dry/fill machines | $1.6 billion | +9.7% |
| 155 | Polycarboxylic acids | $1.6 billion | +15.9% |
| 156 | Other organic cleaning preparations | $1.6 billion | +11.1% |
| 157 | Red meat offal | $1.6 billion | -26.2% |
| 158 | Rice | $1.6 billion | -12.5% |
| 159 | Phenols/phenol-alcohols | $1.6 billion | +46.6% |
| 160 | Marble, other monument/building stone | $1.6 billion | -10.5% |
| 161 | Electric water heaters, hair dryers | $1.5 billion | +33.4% |
| 162 | Jewelry | $1.5 billion | +60% |
| 163 | Heavy machinery (bulldozers, excavators, road rollers) | $1.5 billion | +23.7% |
| 164 | Other animal leather | $1.5 billion | -6.4% |
| 165 | Nickel matte, oxide sinters | $1.5 billion | +15.7% |
| 166 | Plastic plates, sheets, film, tape, strips | $1.5 billion | +6% |
| 167 | Apricots, cherries, peaches, nectarines, plums | $1.5 billion | +64.4% |
| 168 | Vermiculite, perlite, other mineral substances | $1.5 billion | +50.9% |
| 169 | Vinyl chloride polymers | $1.5 billion | -2.7% |
| 170 | Alcohol (including spirits, liqueurs) | $1.4 billion | +23.9% |
| 171 | Ethers | $1.4 billion | +13.8% |
| 172 | Synthetic yarn woven fabrics | $1.4 billion | 0% |
| 173 | Nitrile-function compounds | $1.4 billion | +41.4% |
| 174 | Uncoated kraft paper | $1.4 billion | +51.7% |
| 175 | Cold-rolled iron or non-alloy steel products | $1.3 billion | +3.8% |
| 176 | Machine-tool for metal | $1.3 billion | +3.7% |
| 177 | Miscellaneous furniture | $1.3 billion | +5.9% |
| 178 | Synthetic filament yarn | $1.3 billion | +6.9% |
| 179 | Sheep or goat meat | $1.3 billion | +49% |
| 180 | Copper plates, sheets, strips | $1.3 billion | +12.6% |
| 181 | Debur/sharpen/grind machine tools | $1.3 billion | +26.2% |
| 182 | Plastic packing goods, lids, caps | $1.3 billion | +4.5% |
| 183 | Bovine/equine rawhides, skins | $1.3 billion | -28.8% |
| 184 | Connector/insulating parts | $1.3 billion | +11.4% |
| 185 | Refrigerators, freezers | $1.3 billion | +19.4% |
| 186 | Moluscs | $1.3 billion | +20.7% |
| 187 | Sanitary towels, baby napkins/liners | $1.2 billion | -12.5% |
| 188 | Industrial fatty acids and alcohols | $1.2 billion | -3.8% |
| 189 | Silver (unwrought) | $1.2 billion | -10.8% |
| 190 | Material removal machine-tools | $1.2 billion | +5.2% |
| 191 | Bovine/equine leather | $1.2 billion | -10.7% |
| 192 | Moulding boxes/base | $1.2 billion | +0.7% |
| 193 | Anti-knock/oxidation/gum inhibitors | $1.2 billion | +5.9% |
| 194 | Plastic tubes, pipes, fittings | $1.2 billion | +14.6% |
| 195 | Electric ignition/start equipment | $1.2 billion | +7.6% |
| 196 | Poultry meat | $1.1 billion | +10.5% |
| 197 | Oil seeds | $1.1 billion | +31.4% |
| 198 | Manioc/Jerusalem artichoke/sweet potato roots, tubers | $1.1 billion | -21.9% |
| 199 | Niobium/zirconium ores, concentrates | $1.1 billion | +35.1% |
| 200 | Coated paper | $1.1 billion | -2.8% |
These 200 imported goods were worth a subtotal of US$1.888 trillion or 88.4% by value for all products imported into the People’s Republic during 2018.
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 March 1, 2019
The World Factbook, Country Profiles, Central Intelligence Agency. Accessed on March 1, 2019
Trade Map, International Trade Centre, www.intracen.org/marketanalysis. Accessed on March 1, 2019