by Flagpictures.org

The United States of America imported US$2.409 trillion worth of goods from around the globe in 2017. That dollar amount reflects a 3.6% uptick since 2013 and a 7.2% gain from 2016 to 2017.

From January to September 2018, America’s imported goods were valued at $1.938 trillion. This 9-month metric puts US imports on track for an annualized $2.584 trillion estimated for all 2018.

From a continental perspective, 45.9% of America’s total imports by value in 2017 were purchased from providers in Asia. Fellow North American trade partners supplied 25.9% of import sales to the U.S. while 21.1% worth originated from Europe. At 5%, suppliers from Latin America (excluding Mexico) plus the Caribbean account for a smaller percentage of American import purchasea, with an even tinier 1.4% coming from shippers in Africa.

Given America’s population of 326.6 million people, its total $2.409 trillion in 2017 imports translates to roughly $7,400 in yearly product demand from each U.S. resident.

As of June 2018, U.S. import purchases were valued at $1.268 trillion up 8.6% compared to the first 6 months of 2017.

United States Top 10 Imports

Top 10

The following product groups represent the highest dollar value in America’s import purchases during 2017. Also shown is the percentage share each product category represents in terms of overall imports into the US.

Electrical machinery, equipment: US$356.8 billion (14.8% of total imports)
Machinery including computers: $349.1 billion (14.5%)
Vehicles: $294.6 billion (12.2%)
Mineral fuels including oil: $204.2 billion (8.5%)
Pharmaceuticals: $96.4 billion (4%)
Optical, technical, medical apparatus: $86.2 billion (3.6%)
Furniture, bedding, lighting, signs, prefab buildings: $67.2 billion (2.8%)
Gems, precious metals: $60 billion (2.5%)
Plastics, plastic articles: $54.9 billion (2.3%)
Organic chemicals: $46.1 billion (1.9%)

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 America’s Most Valuable Import Products further down near the bottom of this article or under the adjacent product folder tabs.

America’s imports of mineral fuels including oil had the fastest-growing increase in value among the top 10 import categories, up 25.2% from 2016 to 2017. This gain was propelled by higher purchases of crude and refined petroleum oils as well as petroleum gas.

In second place for expanding import purchases was machinery including computers via a 10.7% uptick.

American imports of plastics delivered the third-fastest improvement up 9%.

Two import product categories declined year over year, namely gems and precious metals (down -8.2%) led by reduced purchases of gold and diamonds and organic chemicals (down -7.4%).

Also see the section Searchable List of America’s Most Valuable Import Products further down near the bottom of this article.

Electronics

In 2017, American importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of electronic equipment:

Phone system devices including smartphones: US$113.1 billion (up 7.7% from 2016)
Integrated circuits/microassemblies: $33.5 billion (up 8.9%)
TV receivers/monitors/projectors: $24.6 billion (up 5.2%)
Insulated wire/cable: $20.2 billion (up 4.2%)
Electrical converters/power units: $14.2 billion (up 0.7%)
TV receiver/transmit/digital cameras: $11.9 billion (up 12.1%)
Electrical/optical circuit boards, panels: $11.3 billion (up 6.5%)
Unrecorded sound media: $11.3 billion (up 28.9%)
Lower-voltage switches, fuses: $10.9 billion (up 4.4%)
Solar power diodes/semi-conductors: $10.7 billion (down -22.8%)

Among these import subcategories, America’s purchases of unrecorded sound media (up 28.9%), TV receivers, transmitters, and digital cameras (up 12.1%) and integrated circuits or microassemblies (up 8.9%) 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 electronics among U.S. businesses and consumers.

Machinery

In 2017, American importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of machinery:

Computers, optical readers: US$84.9 billion (up 9.3% from 2016)
Turbo-jets: $23.7 billion (up 7.8%)
Computer parts, accessories: $23 billion (up 41.1%)
Printing machinery: $17 billion (down -1.7%)
Taps, valves, similar appliances: $14.9 billion (up 8.1%)
Air or vacuum pumps: $11.3 billion (up 10%)
Piston engines: $11.1 billion (up 0.4%)
Liquid pumps and elevators: $10.6 billion (up 10.6%)
Piston engine parts: $9.4 billion (up 1.6%)
Refrigerators, freezers: $9.2 billion (up 5.3%)

Among these import subcategories, America’s purchases of computer parts or accessories (up 41.1%), liquid pumps and elevators (up 10.6%) and air or vacuum pumps (up 10%) 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 U.S. businesses and consumers.

Vehicles

In 2017, American importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of vehicles:

Cars: US$179.6 billion (up 3.6% from 2016)
Automobile parts/accessories: $66.6 billion (up 0.2%)
Trucks: $26.5 billion (up 5.3%)
Tractors: $9.1 billion (up 11.8%)
Trailers: $3.6 billion (up 17.2%)
Motorcycles: $2.3 billion (up 8.7%)
Motorcycle parts/accessories: $1.5 billion (up 3.9%)
Bicycles, other non-motorized cycles: $1.4 billion (down -3.2%)
Public-transport vehicles: $1.1 billion (up 15.9%)
Automobile bodies: $898.2 million (down -2.5%)

Among these import subcategories, America’s purchases of trailers (up 17.2%), public-transport vehicles (up 15.9%) and tractors (up 11.8%) 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 U.S. businesses and consumers.

Fuel

In 2017, American importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of mineral fuels-related products:

Crude oil: US$139.1 billion (up 28.7% from 2016)
Processed petroleum oils: $48 billion (up 16.2%)
Petroleum gases: $11.5 billion (up 33%)
Electrical energy: $2.4 billion (up 8.4%)
Petroleum oil residues: $1.1 billion (up 42.4%)
Coal, solid fuels made from coal: $658.5 million (down -5.8%)
Petroleum jelly, mineral waxes: $481.8 million (down -1.6%)
Coal tar oils (high temperature distillation): $438.7 million (up 5.4%)
Peat: $365.8 million (up 7.2%)
Asphalt/petroleum bitumen mixes: $89.6 million (up 65.5%)

Among these import subcategories, America’s purchases of asphalt or petroleum bitumen mixes (up 65.5%), petroleum oil residues (up 42.4%) and petroleum gases (up 33%) 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 energy supplies among U.S. businesses and consumers.

Searchable List of America’s Most Valuable Import Products

At the more granular four-digit HTS code level, the top U.S. import products are cars followed by crude oil, mobile phones, computers then auto parts.

The following searchable table displays 200 of America’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	US Import Product	2017 Value (US$)	Change
1	Cars	$179.6 billion	+3.9%
2	Crude oil	$139.1 billion	+23.4%
3	Phone system devices including smartphones	$113.1 billion	+5.4%
4	Computers, optical readers	$85 billion	+6.4%
5	Automobile parts/accessories	$66.6 billion	-0.3%
6	Medication mixes in dosage	$65 billion	-5.9%
7	Processed petroleum oils	$48 billion	+10.9%
8	Integrated circuits/microassemblies	$33.5 billion	+8%
9	Trucks	$26.5 billion	+8.4%
10	Blood fractions (including antisera)	$26 billion	+27.5%
11	Miscellaneous furniture	$25.4 billion	+9.3%
12	Seats (excluding barber/dentist chairs)	$24.8 billion	+3.6%
13	TV receivers/monitors/projectors	$24.6 billion	+3%
14	Turbo-jets	$23.7 billion	+6.4%
15	Diamonds (unmounted/unset)	$23.2 billion	+1.8%
16	Computer parts, accessories	$23 billion	+40.6%
17	Electro-medical equip (e.g. xrays)	$23 billion	+2.8%
18	Insulated wire/cable	$20.2 billion	+3.5%
19	Printing machinery	$17 billion	-3.3%
20	Aircraft parts	$16.8 billion	-1.6%
21	Models, puzzles, wheeled toys	$15 billion	+1.1%
22	Taps, valves, similar appliances	$14.9 billion	+7%
23	Jerseys, pullovers (knit or crochet)	$14.4 billion	-5%
24	Electrical converters/power units	$14.2 billion	+0.4%
25	Rubber tires (new)	$14.2 billion	+2.2%
26	Aircraft, spacecraft	$13.8 billion	-8.1%
27	Orthopedic appliances	$12 billion	+13.4%
28	TV receiver/transmit/digital cameras	$11.9 billion	+14%
29	Lamps, lighting, illuminated signs	$11.9 billion	+4%
30	Petroleum gases	$11.5 billion	+38.7%
31	Air or vacuum pumps	$11.3 billion	+10.8%
32	Cases, handbags, wallets	$11.3 billion	-1.7%
33	Electrical/optical circuit boards, panels	$11.3 billion	+4%
34	Unrecorded sound media	$11.3 billion	+28.6%
35	Gold (unwrought)	$11.1 billion	-37.8%
36	Piston engines	$11.1 billion	-1%
37	Aluminum (unwrought)	$10.9 billion	+30.6%
38	Lower-voltage switches, fuses	$10.9 billion	+3.4%
39	Heterocyclics, nucleic acids	$10.8 billion	-10%
40	Solar power diodes/semi-conductors	$10.7 billion	-27%
41	Footwear (leather)	$10.7 billion	-13.7%
42	Liquid pumps and elevators	$10.6 billion	+11.6%
43	Miscellaneous plastic items	$10.2 billion	+9.6%
44	Women's clothing (not knit or crochet)	$10 billion	-4.1%
45	Electric motors, generators	$9.7 billion	+7.6%
46	Piston engine parts	$9.4 billion	+1.3%
47	Refrigerators, freezers	$9.2 billion	+1.5%
48	Jewelry	$9.2 billion	+9.8%
49	Tractors	$9.1 billion	+15.2%
50	Transmission shafts, gears, clutches	$9 billion	+11.3%
51	Electrical machinery	$8.8 billion	+3.4%
52	Footwear (textile)	$8.5 billion	+6.8%
53	Electric water heaters, hair dryers	$8.4 billion	+2.1%
54	Miscellaneous machinery	$8.3 billion	+25.2%
55	Machinery parts	$8.3 billion	+20.8%
56	Centrifuges, filters and purifiers	$8.3 billion	+3.8%
57	Men's suits, trousers (not knit or crochet)	$8.2 billion	-6.9%
58	Air conditioners	$8 billion	+10.6%
59	Alcohol (including spirits, liqueurs)	$8 billion	+3.4%
60	Machinery for making semi-conductors	$7.9 billion	+38.2%
61	Plastic packing goods, lids, caps	$7.7 billion	+3.8%
62	Crustaceans (including lobsters)	$7.5 billion	+10.3%
63	Sawn wood	$7.5 billion	+8.1%
64	Miscellaneous carbon products	$7.3 billion	+20.2%
65	Electric storage batteries	$7 billion	+32.6%
66	Base metal mountings, fittings	$6.9 billion	+4.3%
67	Table games, bowling equipment	$6.8 billion	+24.2%
68	Sports equipment	$6.5 billion	+9.6%
69	Coffee	$6.3 billion	+8.9%
70	Women's clothing (knit or crochet)	$6.2 billion	-3.3%
71	Wine	$6.2 billion	+8.9%
72	Fish fillets, pieces	$6.1 billion	+7.8%
73	Physical/chemical analysis tools	$6.1 billion	+2.4%
74	Footwear (rubber or plastic)	$6 billion	-5.2%
75	Engines (diesel)	$6 billion	+10.5%
76	Miscellaneous heterocyclics	$5.9 billion	-35.7%
77	Pneumatic hand tool	$5.9 billion	+14.1%
78	Linens	$5.9 billion	+2.5%
79	T-shirts, vests (knit or crochet)	$5.8 billion	-3.2%
80	Microphones/headphones/amps	$5.8 billion	+0.7%
81	Electrical lighting/signaling equpment, defrosters	$5.8 billion	+2.1%
82	Heavy machinery (bulldozers, excavators, road rollers)	$5.7 billion	+13%
83	Temperature-change machines	$5.5 billion	+8.2%
84	Plastic tableware, kitchenware, toiletry	$5.3 billion	+3.3%
85	Malt beer	$5.3 billion	+3.9%
86	Other measuring/testing machines	$5.2 billion	+8.5%
87	Iron and steel screws, bolts, nuts, washers	$5.2 billion	+8.1%
88	Natural calcium phosphates	$5.1 billion	+10.1%
89	Refined copper, unwrought alloys	$5.1 billion	+45.3%
90	Miscellaneous engines, motors	$5.1 billion	+5.4%
91	Miscellaneous iron or steel items	$4.9 billion	+8.8%
92	Beauty/makeup/skin care preparations	$4.9 billion	+7.4%
93	Regulate/control instruments	$4.8 billion	+2.7%
94	Miscellaneous articles, dress patterns	$4.8 billion	+4.9%
95	Radar, radio communication items	$4.8 billion	-1.2%
96	Plastic plates, sheets, film, tape, strips	$4.8 billion	+6.9%
97	Platinum (unwrought)	$4.5 billion	+41.3%
98	Flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel products (plated/coated)	$4.5 billion	+22.7%
99	Ethylene polymers	$4.4 billion	+3.8%
100	Fiberboard	$4.4 billion	+16.7%
101	Miscellaneous iron or steel tubes, pipes	$4.4 billion	+78.4%
102	Miscellaneous iron and steel structures	$4.3 billion	-10.1%
103	X-ray equipment	$4.2 billion	-0.9%
104	Dates/figs/pineapples/mangoes/avocadoes/guavas	$4.2 billion	+29.7%
105	Electric ignition/start equipment	$4.1 billion	+1.3%
106	Telecommunication receivers	$4.1 billion	-8.7%
107	Vulcanized rubber items	$4.1 billion	+3.1%
108	Mattresses, quilts	$3.9 billion	+14.3%
109	Silver (unwrought)	$3.7 billion	-17%
110	Trailers	$3.6 billion	+18.5%
111	Electric sound/visual signal bells or alarms	$3.6 billion	+3.3%
112	Mechano-therapy appliances	$3.5 billion	+12.9%
113	Rubber/plastic article making machines	$3.5 billion	+13.2%
114	Carnival items, magic tricks	$3.5 billion	-10.1%
115	Iron or steel tubes, pipes	$3.5 billion	+85.4%
116	Dishwashing, clean/dry/fill machines	$3.5 billion	+6.8%
117	Railway/streetcar miscellaneous parts	$3.5 billion	+31.1%
118	Oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers	$3.4 billion	+7.7%
119	Men's shirts (not knit or crochet)	$3.4 billion	-9.7%
120	Other diagnostic/lab reagents	$3.4 billion	+18.9%
121	Non-alcoholic drinks (not water/juice/milk)	$3.4 billion	+5.7%
122	Liquid crystal/laser/optical tools	$3.4 billion	+11.3%
123	Iron and steel stoves, barbecues	$3.3 billion	+19.6%
124	Liquid/gas checking instruments	$3.3 billion	+9.5%
125	Women's underwear, pajamas (knit or crochet)	$3.3 billion	-2.4%
126	Miscellaneous fresh/chilled vegetables	$3.2 billion	+7.4%
127	Electric circuit parts, fuses, switches	$3.2 billion	+7.6%
128	Wrist/pocket watches (no precious metal case)	$3.2 billion	-11.8%
129	Iron ferroalloys	$3.1 billion	+75.2%
130	TV/radio/radar device parts	$3.1 billion	-3.4%
131	Polyacetal/ether/carbonates	$3.1 billion	+16.6%
132	Filament/discharge lamps	$3.1 billion	+83.9%
133	Miscellaneous preserved fruits	$3.1 billion	+7%
134	Interchangeable hand/machine tools	$3.1 billion	+16.6%
135	Ball, roller bearings	$3.1 billion	+9.2%
136	Monument/building stones, art	$3 billion	-2.9%
137	Laminated wood (including plywood, veneer panels)	$3 billion	+2.8%
138	Miscellaneous fruits (fresh)	$3 billion	+32.1%
139	Sutures, special pharmaceutical goods	$2.9 billion	+13.9%
140	Iron and steel tables, household items	$2.9 billion	+2.6%
141	Bras, corsets (not knit or crochet)	$2.9 billion	+3.3%
142	Crustaceans, molluscs (preserved/prepared)	$2.9 billion	+11.2%
143	Asbestos	$2.8 billion	+0.3%
144	Fresh or chilled beef	$2.8 billion	+1.2%
145	Other machine parts, accessories	$2.8 billion	+11.6%
146	Bananas, plantains	$2.8 billion	+3.3%
147	Bottles, flasks, jars, pots, other containers	$3 billion	+3.9%
148	Iron or non-alloy steel products (semi-finished)	$2.8 billion	+61.2%
149	Paper containers, cellulose wadding	$2.7 billion	+4.5%
150	Women's shirts (not knit or crochet)	$2.7 billion	-7.7%
151	Vacuum cleaners	$2.7 billion	+15.2%
152	Spray/dispersing mechanical appliances	$2.7 billion	+15.4%
153	Moulding boxes/base	$2.7 billion	+16.1%
154	Carbon electrodes, brushes	$2.6 billion	-33.2%
155	Potassic fertilizers	$2.6 billion	+37.3%
156	Asphalt articles	$2.6 billion	+7.4%
157	Sulphonamides	$2.6 billion	-47.5%
158	Tracksuits, swimwear (not knit or crochet)	$2.6 billion	+10.7%
159	Scents used for beverage or industrial manufacturing	$2.6 billion	+11.2%
160	Locks, lock-keys	$2.5 billion	+2.8%
161	Plastic tile or roll coverings	$2.5 billion	+25.6%
162	Optical fiber cables, sheets, plates	$2.4 billion	+8%
163	Chemical industry products/residuals	$2.4 billion	-15.8%
164	Spectacles, goggles	$2.4 billion	-4.9%
165	Acyclic alcohols	$2.4 billion	+28%
166	Clothing, accessories (vulcanized rubber)	$2.4 billion	+12.4%
167	Fork-lift trucks	$2.4 billion	+20.4%
168	Electrical energy	$2.4 billion	+8.7%
169	Other food preparations	$2.4 billion	+7.1%
170	Perfumes, toilet waters	$2.4 billion	+11.7%
171	Unglazed ceramic tiles	$2.3 billion	-7.1%
172	Wood carpentry, builders' joinery	$2.3 billion	+2.2%
173	Stockings, hosiery (knit or crochet)	$2.3 billion	-4.1%
174	Nitrogenous fertilizers	$2.3 billion	+7.8%
175	Tomatoes (fresh/chilled)	$2.3 billion	-1.4%
176	Plastic plates, sheets, film, tape, strips	$2.3 billion	+5.9%
177	Sauces, preparations, mixed condiments	$2.3 billion	+18%
178	Iron or steel pipe fittings	$2.2 billion	+17.4%
179	Frozen beef	$2.2 billion	-7.6%
180	Plastic tubes, pipes, fittings	$2.2 billion	+20.8%
181	Coated paper	$2.2 billion	-4.1%
182	Precious/semi-precious stones (unstrung)	$2.1 billion	+9.9%
183	Concrete/artificial stone items	$2.1 billion	+20.9%
184	Amino-compounds (oxygen)	$2.1 billion	-3.1%
185	Washing machines	$2.1 billion	+16.3%
186	Whole fish (fresh)	$2.1 billion	+5.5%
187	Women's coats, jackets (not knit or crochet)	$2.1 billion	-14.4%
188	Unglazed ceramic flags, tiles, mosaic cubes	$2.1 billion	+622.1%
189	Printed circuits	$2.1 billion	-5%
190	Metal soldering/hot-spray equipment	$2.1 billion	+35.7%
191	Fruit and vegetable juices	$2.1 billion	+11%
192	Men's shirts (knit or crochet)	$2 billion	-0.6%
193	Soap, organics surface-active products	$2 billion	+7.6%
194	Hot-rolled iron or non-alloy steel products	$2 billion	-16.4%
195	Natural rubber	$2 billion	+35.3%
196	Uncoated paper for writing/printing	$1.9 billion	-8.2%
197	Yachts, other pleasure/sports vessels	$1.9 billion	+11.2%
198	Men's coats, jackets (not knit or crochet)	$1.9 billion	-10.8%
199	Demonstration instruments	$1.9 billion	-6.6%
200	Printed books, brochures	$1.9 billion	+0.2%

These 200 imported goods were worth a subtotal of US$1.917 trillion or almost four-fifths (79.6%) by value for all products imported into the United States during 2017.

See also United States Top 10 Exports, America’s Top Trading Partners, Top United States Trade Balances and America’s Top 20 Export States and United States Top 10 Major Export Companies

Research Sources:
The World Factbook, Country Profiles, Central Intelligence Agency. Accessed August 7, 2018

Trade Map, International Trade Centre, www.intracen.org/marketanalysis. Accessed on August 7, 2018

United States Top 10 Imports

United States Top 10 Imports

Top 10

Electronics

Machinery

Vehicles

Fuel

Searchable List of America’s Most Valuable Import Products

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