by Flagpictures.org
German imports represent 7.3% of total global imports which totaled $16.054 trillion one year earlier in 2016.
From January to August 2018, goods imported into Germany were valued at $866.9 billion. This 8-month metric puts German imports on track for an annualized $1.3 trillion estimated for all 2018.
From a continental lens, 64.4% of Germany’s total imports by value in 2017 were purchased from other European countries. Asian trade partners supplied 22.1% of import purchases by Germany while 7% worth of goods originated from North America. Smaller percentages came from customers in Africa (1.9%) and Latin America excluding Mexico but including the Caribbean (1.6%).
Given Germany’s population of 80.6 million people, its total $1.168 trillion in 2017 imports translates to roughly $14,500 in yearly product demand from every person in the country.
Germany’s Top 10 Imports
Top 10
The following product groups represent the highest dollar value in Germany’s import purchases during 2017. Also shown is the percentage share each product category represents in terms of overall imports into Germany.
- Machinery including computers: US$148.5 billion (12.7% of total imports)
- Electrical machinery, equipment: $145.7 billion (12.5%)
- Vehicles: $123.2 billion (10.5%)
- Mineral fuels including oil: $96.2 billion (8.2%)
- Pharmaceuticals: $53.6 billion (4.6%)
- Plastics, plastic articles: $44.4 billion (3.8%)
- Optical, technical, medical apparatus: $40.3 billion (3.4%)
- Organic chemicals: $34.1 billion (2.9%)
- Iron, steel: $29 billion (2.5%)
- Articles of iron or steel: $23.3 billion (2%)
Germany’s top 10 imports accounted for almost two-thirds (63.2%) of the overall value of its product purchases from other countries.
Imported iron or steel had the fastest-growing increase in value among the top 10 import categories, up 25.7% from 2016 to 2017.
In second place was the mineral fuels including oil category (up 22.6%), followed by organic chemicals (up 12.2%) then vehicles (up 10.7%).
The slowest-growing categories year over year was optical, technical and medical apparatus (up 5.4%) and machinery including computers (up 8.6%).
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 Germany’s Most Valuable Import Products further down near the bottom of this article or under the adjacent product folder tabs.
Machinery
In 2017, German importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of machines including computers:
- Computers, optical readers: US$23 billion (up 10.6% from 2016)
- Turbo-jets: $9.1 billion (down -6.1%)
- Printing machinery: $8.8 billion (up 7.8%)
- Piston engine parts: $6.6 billion (up 4.1%)
- Taps, valves, similar appliances: $6.2 billion (up 12.1%)
- Computer parts, accessories: $5.9 billion (up 48.1%)
- Centrifuges, filters and purifiers: $5.7 billion (up 5.6%)
- Transmission shafts, gears, clutches: $5.5 billion (up 9.1%)
- Engines (diesel): $4.8 billion (down -0.4%)
- Liquid pumps and elevators: $4.8 billion (up 8.8%)
Among these import subcategories, Germany’s purchases of computer parts or accessories (up 48.1%), taps, valves or similar appliances (up 12.1%) and computers including optical readers (up 10.6%) 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 German businesses and consumers.
Electronics
In 2017, German importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of electrical equipment including consumer electronics:
- Phone system devices including smartphones: US$22.3 billion (up 5.1% from 2016)
- Integrated circuits/microassemblies: $17.2 billion (up 26.3%)
- Insulated wire/cable: $10.6 billion (up 11.6%)
- Lower-voltage switches, fuses: $7.7 billion (up 8.3%)
- TV receivers/monitors/projectors: $6.7 billion (up 10.3%)
- Solar power diodes/semi-conductors: $6.3 billion (up 16.3%)
- Electrical/optical circuit boards, panels: $6.3 billion (up 8.9%)
- Electrical converters/power units: $6.1 billion (up 9.6%)
- Electric motors, generators: $5.3 billion (up 6.5%)
- Electrical lighting/signaling equpment, defrosters: $4.5 billion (up 11.4%)
Among these import subcategories, Germany’s purchases of integrated circuits or microassemblies (up 26.3%), solar power diodes or semi-conductors (up 16.3%) and insulated wire or cable (up 11.6%) 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 German businesses and consumers.
Vehicles
In 2017, German importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of vehicles:
- Cars: US$57.7 billion (up 12.4% from 2016)
- Automobile parts/accessories: $41.2 billion (up 9.8%)
- Trucks: $5.6 billion (up 1.6%)
- Trailers: $2.5 billion (up 14.1%)
- Tractors: $2.5 billion (up 2.8%)
- Motorcycle parts/accessories: $2.1 billion (up 0.2%)
- Motorcycles: $1.5 billion (up 8.8%)
- Automobile bodies: $1.1 billion (down -0.1%)
- Public-transport vehicles: $988.4 million (up 8.3%)
- Bicycles, other non-motorized cycles: $682.8 million (up 1.7%)
Among these import subcategories, Germany’s purchases of trailers (up 14.1%), cars (up 12.4%) and automobile parts or accessories (up 9.8%) 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 vehicles among German businesses and consumers.
Fuel
In 2017, German importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of mineral fuels-related products:
- Crude oil: US$36.2 billion (up 26.1% from 2016)
- Petroleum gases: $28.2 billion (up 21.3%)
- Processed petroleum oils: $20.4 billion (up 20.7%)
- Coal, solid fuels made from coal: $5.8 billion (up 51.5%)
- Electrical energy: $1.2 billion (up 4.6%)
- Coal tar oils (high temperature distillation): $802.8 million (up 16.7%)
- Coke, semi-coke: $663.3 million (up 91.5%)
- Petroleum jelly, mineral waxes: $365.2 million (up 11%)
- Petroleum oil residues: $272.5 million (up 21.7%)
- Peat: $84.5 million (up 14.9%)
Among these import subcategories, Germany’s purchases of coke or semi-coke (up 91.5%), coal, solid fuels made from coal (up 51.5%) and crude oil (up 26.1%) grew at the fastest pace from 2016 to 2017.
These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of mineral fuels-related imports among German businesses and consumers.
Searchable List of Germany’s Most Valuable Import Products
At the more granular four-digit HTS code level, Germany’s top import products are cars, auto parts or accessories, crude oil followed by petroleum gases then medication mixes in dosage.
The following searchable table displays 200 of Germany’s most in-demand imported goods during 2017. Shown beside each product label is its total import value then the percentage increase or decrease since 2016.
| Rank | German Import Product | 2017 Value (US$) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cars | $58.5 billion | +14.1% |
| 2 | Automobile parts/accessories | $41.8 billion | +11.4% |
| 3 | Crude oil | $36.2 billion | +26.1% |
| 4 | Petroleum gases | $28.2 billion | +21.4% |
| 5 | Medication mixes in dosage | $26 billion | +0.1% |
| 6 | Blood fractions (including antisera) | $23 billion | +24% |
| 7 | Computers, optical readers | $22.9 billion | +10.4% |
| 8 | Phone system devices including smartphones | $22.4 billion | +5.2% |
| 9 | Processed petroleum oils | $20.3 billion | +19.9% |
| 10 | Integrated circuits/microassemblies | $17.3 billion | +26.8% |
| 11 | Insulated wire/cable | $10.7 billion | +12% |
| 12 | Turbo-jets | $10.3 billion | +6.5% |
| 13 | Heterocyclics, nucleic acids | $9.2 billion | +6% |
| 14 | Aircraft, spacecraft | $9.2 billion | -33.4% |
| 15 | Electro-medical equip (e.g. xrays) | $8.9 billion | +5.4% |
| 16 | Printing machinery | $8.9 billion | +8.5% |
| 17 | Seats (excluding barber/dentist chairs) | $8.2 billion | +3.2% |
| 18 | Aircraft parts | $7.8 billion | +35% |
| 19 | Lower-voltage switches, fuses | $7.8 billion | +9.8% |
| 20 | Rubber tires (new) | $6.8 billion | +3.6% |
| 21 | TV receivers/monitors/projectors | $6.8 billion | +12% |
| 22 | Piston engine parts | $6.7 billion | +5.4% |
| 23 | Electrical/optical circuit boards, panels | $6.5 billion | +11.5% |
| 24 | Solar power diodes/semi-conductors | $6.3 billion | +16.9% |
| 25 | Taps, valves, similar appliances | $6.3 billion | +13.7% |
| 26 | Electrical converters/power units | $6.1 billion | +10% |
| 27 | Coal, solid fuels made from coal | $5.9 billion | +54.6% |
| 28 | Computer parts, accessories | $5.8 billion | +47.6% |
| 29 | Miscellaneous plastic items | $5.7 billion | +11.1% |
| 30 | Miscellaneous furniture | $5.7 billion | +3.4% |
| 31 | Centrifuges, filters and purifiers | $5.7 billion | +6.6% |
| 32 | Aluminum (unwrought) | $5.7 billion | +16.2% |
| 33 | Trucks | $5.6 billion | +1.9% |
| 34 | Transmission shafts, gears, clutches | $5.5 billion | +9.9% |
| 35 | Gold (unwrought) | $5.4 billion | -0.6% |
| 36 | Orthopedic appliances | $5.4 billion | +0.9% |
| 37 | Electric motors, generators | $5.4 billion | +8.1% |
| 38 | Liquid pumps and elevators | $4.9 billion | +10.6% |
| 39 | Engines (diesel) | $4.9 billion | +0.4% |
| 40 | Jerseys, pullovers (knit or crochet) | $4.8 billion | +8.5% |
| 41 | Miscellaneous machinery | $4.7 billion | +10.1% |
| 42 | Men's suits, trousers (not knit or crochet) | $4.7 billion | +3.5% |
| 43 | Footwear (leather) | $4.7 billion | +8.1% |
| 44 | Air or vacuum pumps | $4.5 billion | +6.8% |
| 45 | Electrical lighting/signaling equpment, defrosters | $4.5 billion | +12.1% |
| 46 | Physical/chemical analysis tools | $4.4 billion | +9.5% |
| 47 | Women's clothing (not knit or crochet) | $4.3 billion | +4.3% |
| 48 | T-shirts, vests (knit or crochet) | $4.3 billion | +6% |
| 49 | Cheese, curd | $4.2 billion | +14.1% |
| 50 | Ball, roller bearings | $4.2 billion | +10.1% |
| 51 | Ethylene polymers | $4.1 billion | +5.6% |
| 52 | Refined copper, unwrought alloys | $4.1 billion | +14.6% |
| 53 | Miscellaneous iron or steel items | $4.1 billion | +9% |
| 54 | Electric water heaters, hair dryers | $4 billion | +6.1% |
| 55 | Iron and steel screws, bolts, nuts, washers | $4 billion | +11.8% |
| 56 | Polyacetal/ether/carbonates | $4 billion | +16.6% |
| 57 | Electric storage batteries | $4 billion | +26.1% |
| 58 | Machinery parts | $3.9 billion | +11.8% |
| 59 | Platinum (unwrought) | $3.8 billion | +35.8% |
| 60 | Piston engines | $3.8 billion | +19.7% |
| 61 | Flat-rolled stainless steel items | $3.7 billion | +21% |
| 62 | Cases, handbags, wallets | $3.5 billion | +5.7% |
| 63 | Unrecorded sound media | $3.5 billion | -0.1% |
| 64 | Coffee | $3.5 billion | +4.3% |
| 65 | Plastic packing goods, lids, caps | $3.5 billion | +5.6% |
| 66 | Iron ores, concentrates | $3.4 billion | +40.6% |
| 67 | Plastic plates, sheets, film, tape, strips | $3.4 billion | +10.1% |
| 68 | Lamps, lighting, illuminated signs | $3.4 billion | +2.8% |
| 69 | Flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel products (plated/coated) | $3.4 billion | +28.1% |
| 70 | Precious metal waste, scrap | $3.4 billion | +19% |
| 71 | Footwear (textile) | $3.3 billion | +20.4% |
| 72 | Aluminum plates, sheets, strips | $3.3 billion | +13.6% |
| 73 | Miscellaneous iron and steel structures | $3.3 billion | +13.5% |
| 74 | TV/radio/radar device parts | $3.2 billion | +5.5% |
| 75 | Hot-rolled iron or non-alloy steel products | $3.1 billion | +41% |
| 76 | Vulcanized rubber items | $3.1 billion | +10.9% |
| 77 | Models, puzzles, miscellaneous toys | $3.1 billion | +4.2% |
| 78 | Amino-compounds (oxygen) | $3.1 billion | -5.7% |
| 79 | Other measuring/testing machines | $3 billion | -7% |
| 80 | Coated paper | $2.9 billion | -1.6% |
| 81 | Other diagnostic/lab reagents | $2.9 billion | +8.3% |
| 82 | Propylene/olefin polymers | $2.9 billion | +17.3% |
| 83 | Wine | $2.9 billion | +5.3% |
| 84 | Regulate/control instruments | $2.9 billion | +9.8% |
| 85 | Refrigerators, freezers | $2.8 billion | +2% |
| 86 | Copper waste, scrap | $2.7 billion | +21.7% |
| 87 | Base metal mountings, fittings | $2.7 billion | +5.9% |
| 88 | Rape/colza seeds | $2.7 billion | +16.1% |
| 89 | Chemical industry products/residuals | $2.7 billion | +7.2% |
| 90 | Microphones/headphones/amps | $2.6 billion | +14.2% |
| 91 | Women's clothing (knit or crochet) | $2.6 billion | +9.8% |
| 92 | Trailers | $2.6 billion | +15.4% |
| 93 | Chemical woodpulp (non-dissolving) | $2.5 billion | +4.6% |
| 94 | Cruise/cargo ships, barges | $2.5 billion | +10% |
| 95 | TV receiver/transmit/digital cameras | $2.5 billion | +11.4% |
| 96 | Tractors | $2.5 billion | +4.2% |
| 97 | Beauty/makeup/skin care preparations | $2.5 billion | +13.3% |
| 98 | Table games, bowling equipment | $2.4 billion | +59.4% |
| 99 | Chocolate, other cocoa preparations | $2.4 billion | +2.1% |
| 100 | Footwear (rubber or plastic) | $2.4 billion | +3.2% |
| 101 | Pneumatic hand tool | $2.3 billion | +9.4% |
| 102 | Electric circuit parts, fuses, switches | $2.3 billion | +20% |
| 103 | Bread, biscuits, cakes, pastries | $2.3 billion | +8.3% |
| 104 | Radar, radio communication items | $2.3 billion | +13.7% |
| 105 | Temperature-change machines | $2.3 billion | +6.5% |
| 106 | Copper ores, concentrates | $2.2 billion | +36.3% |
| 107 | Electrical machinery | $2.2 billion | -6.4% |
| 108 | Interchangeable hand/machine tools | $2.2 billion | +16.6% |
| 109 | Liquid/gas checking instruments | $2.1 billion | +7.1% |
| 110 | Other organic cleaning preparations | $2.1 billion | +8.1% |
| 111 | Print/write/draw inks | $2.1 billion | +3.3% |
| 112 | Initiators/accelerators, catalytic preps | $2.1 billion | +8.5% |
| 113 | Motorcycle parts/accessories | $2.1 billion | +1.4% |
| 114 | Miscellaneous engines, motors | $2.1 billion | +4.3% |
| 115 | Heavy machinery (bulldozers, excavators, road rollers) | $2.1 billion | +12.9% |
| 116 | Miscellaneous iron or steel tubes, pipes | $2.1 billion | +17.5% |
| 117 | Printed circuits | $2.1 billion | +7.5% |
| 118 | Miscellaneous animal feed preparations | $2.1 billion | +11.4% |
| 119 | Electric ignition/start equipment | $2 billion | +7.2% |
| 120 | Miscellaneous nuts | $2 billion | +2.9% |
| 121 | Aluminum bars/rods | $2 billion | +17.9% |
| 122 | Women's coats, jackets (not knit or crochet) | $2 billion | +9.2% |
| 123 | Air conditioners | $2 billion | +4% |
| 124 | Plastic plates, sheets, film, tape, strips | $2 billion | +8.8% |
| 125 | Iron ferroalloys | $1.9 billion | +43.8% |
| 126 | Flat-rolled other alloy steel products | $1.9 billion | +19% |
| 127 | Electric motor parts | $1.9 billion | +4% |
| 128 | Fresh or chilled beef | $1.9 billion | +7.6% |
| 129 | Electrical capacitators | $1.8 billion | +17.9% |
| 130 | Harvest/threshing machinery | $1.8 billion | +7.3% |
| 131 | Perfumes, toilet waters | $1.8 billion | +8.5% |
| 132 | Sulphonamides | $1.8 billion | +510.1% |
| 133 | Other machine parts, accessories | $1.8 billion | +7.4% |
| 134 | Plastic tubes, pipes, fittings | $1.8 billion | +13.6% |
| 135 | Alcohol (including spirits, liqueurs) | $1.8 billion | +4.7% |
| 136 | Swine meat | $1.8 billion | +11% |
| 137 | Fish fillets, pieces | $1.8 billion | -2.6% |
| 138 | Miscellaneous fresh/chilled vegetables | $1.7 billion | +6.6% |
| 139 | Polyamides | $1.7 billion | +32% |
| 140 | Not concentrated/unsweetened milk, cream | $1.7 billion | +56% |
| 141 | Poultry meat | $1.7 billion | +8% |
| 142 | Motorcycles | $1.7 billion | +18.7% |
| 143 | Uncoated paper for writing/printing | $1.7 billion | +7.7% |
| 144 | Other food preparations | $1.6 billion | +8.4% |
| 145 | Dishwashing, clean/dry/fill machines | $1.6 billion | +5.7% |
| 146 | Jewelry | $1.6 billion | +11.5% |
| 147 | Packaged insecticides/fungicides/herbicides | $1.6 billion | -1% |
| 148 | Wrist/pocket watches (no precious metal case) | $1.6 billion | +1.5% |
| 149 | Acyclic alcohols | $1.6 billion | +40.2% |
| 150 | Miscellaneous aluminum items | $1.6 billion | +6.4% |
| 151 | Optical fiber cables, sheets, plates | $1.6 billion | +25.2% |
| 152 | Railway/streetcar locomotives, rolling stock | $1.6 billion | +11.9% |
| 153 | Iron or steel scrap | $1.5 billion | +39.6% |
| 154 | Sports equipment | $1.5 billion | +7.2% |
| 155 | Fruit and vegetable juices | $1.5 billion | +11.5% |
| 156 | Women's shirts (not knit or crochet) | $1.5 billion | +6.8% |
| 157 | Paper containers, cellulose wadding | $1.5 billion | +8.5% |
| 158 | Rubber/plastic article making machines | $1.5 billion | +14.3% |
| 159 | Acyclic hydrocarbons | $1.5 billion | +4.8% |
| 160 | Linens | $1.5 billion | +2.9% |
| 161 | Electric sound/visual signal bells or alarms | $1.5 billion | +4.1% |
| 162 | Live swine | $1.5 billion | +10% |
| 163 | Styrene polymers | $1.5 billion | +19% |
| 164 | Tomatoes (fresh/chilled) | $1.5 billion | +13.2% |
| 165 | Lifting/loading machinery | $1.5 billion | +20.3% |
| 166 | Cyclic hydrocarbons | $1.4 billion | +30.5% |
| 167 | Synthetic rubber | $1.4 billion | +25.8% |
| 168 | Machinery for making semi-conductors | $1.4 billion | +47.6% |
| 169 | Safety glasses | $1.4 billion | +2.9% |
| 170 | Sawn wood | $1.4 billion | +4.9% |
| 171 | Uncoated kraft paper | $1.4 billion | +6.2% |
| 172 | Miscellaneous preserved fruits | $1.3 billion | +6.2% |
| 173 | Printed books, brochures | $1.3 billion | +3.4% |
| 174 | Zinc (unwrought) | $1.3 billion | +33.7% |
| 175 | Speed/distance meters | $1.3 billion | +14.1% |
| 176 | Glass mirrors | $1.3 billion | +12.2% |
| 177 | Miscellaneous live plants | $1.3 billion | +10.4% |
| 178 | Moulding boxes/base | $1.3 billion | +19.8% |
| 179 | Scents used for beverage or industrial manufacturing | $1.3 billion | +12.9% |
| 180 | Vacuum cleaners | $1.2 billion | +28.5% |
| 181 | Glass fibers | $1.2 billion | +6.7% |
| 182 | Vinyl chloride polymers | $1.2 billion | +13.3% |
| 183 | Soya beans | $1.2 billion | -3.6% |
| 184 | Alloy steel bars, rods | $1.2 billion | +17.2% |
| 185 | X-ray equipment | $1.2 billion | +5.7% |
| 186 | Self-adhesive plastic in rolls | $1.2 billion | +1% |
| 187 | Amino-resins | $1.2 billion | +28% |
| 188 | Fresh or dried citrus fruit | $1.2 billion | -0.4% |
| 189 | Fresh or dried flowers (for bouquets, ornamental) | $1.2 billion | +3.1% |
| 190 | Men's coats, jackets (not knit or crochet) | $1.2 billion | +7.8% |
| 191 | Electromechanic domestic appliances | $1.2 billion | +7% |
| 192 | Spray/dispersing mechanical appliances | $1.2 billion | +1.8% |
| 193 | Other coloring matter, luminophores | $1.2 billion | +26.3% |
| 194 | Electrical energy | $1.2 billion | +5.2% |
| 195 | Wood carpentry, builders' joinery | $1.2 billion | +9.3% |
| 196 | Aluminum waste, scrap | $1.2 billion | +23.2% |
| 197 | Automobile bodies | $1.1 billion | +0.9% |
| 198 | Mattresses, quilts | $1.1 billion | +10.7% |
| 199 | Miscellaneous fruits (fresh) | $1.1 billion | +15.7% |
| 200 | Liquid crystal/laser/optical tools | $1.1 billion | +30.4% |
These 200 imported goods were worth a subtotal of US$855.7 billion or 72.9% by value for all products imported into Germany during 2017.
See also Germany’s Top 10 Exports, Germany’s Top Trading Partners, Top German Trade Balances and Germany’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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