From a continental perspective, 45.4% of America’s total imports by value in 2018 were purchased from providers in Asia. Fellow North American trade partners supplied 25.8% of import sales to the U.S. while 21.9% worth originated from Europe. At 4.9%, suppliers from Latin America excluding Mexico but including the Caribbean accounted for a smaller percentage of American import purchase, with an even tinier 1.4% coming from Africa and 0.6% from Oceania led by Australia.
Given America’s population of 329.3 million people, its total $2.614 trillion in 2018 imports translates to roughly $7,900 in yearly product demand from each U.S. resident.
United States Top 10 Imports
Top 10
The following product groups represent the highest dollar value in America’s import purchases during 2018. Also shown is the percentage share each product category represents in terms of overall imports into the US.
- Machinery including computers: US$386.4 billion (14.8% of total imports)
- Electrical machinery, equipment: $367.1 billion (14%)
- Vehicles: $306.7 billion (11.7%)
- Mineral fuels including oil: $241.4 billion (9.2%)
- Pharmaceuticals: $116.3 billion (4.5%)
- Optical, technical, medical apparatus: $93.4 billion (3.6%)
- Furniture, bedding, lighting, signs, prefab buildings: $72.1 billion (2.8%)
- Plastics, plastic articles: $61.9 billion (2.4%)
- Gems, precious metals: $60.8 billion (2.3%)
- Organic chemicals: $54.6 billion (2.1%)
America’s imports of pharmaceuticals had the fastest-growing increase in value among the top 10 import categories, up 20.5% from 2017 to 2018.
In second place for expanding import purchases was machinery including computers via an 18.6% uptick.
US imports of mineral fuels-related goods delivered the third-fastest improvement thanks to its 18.3% gain, propelled by America’s higher purchases of crude and refined petroleum oils.
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.
Machinery
In 2018, American importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of machinery including computers.
- Computers, optical readers: US$93.7 billion (up 10.4% from 2017)
- Computer parts, accessories: $28.1 billion (up 22.2%)
- Turbo-jets: $26.4 billion (up 11.5%)
- Printing machinery: $16.7 billion (down -1.7%)
- Taps, valves, similar appliances: $16.7 billion (up 12.1%)
- Air or vacuum pumps: $12.04 billion (up 6.2%)
- Piston engines: $11.99 billion (up 7.9%)
- Liquid pumps and elevators: $11.8 billion (up 10.9%)
- Piston engine parts: $10 billion (up 6.2%)
- Transmission shafts, gears, clutches: $9.9 billion (up 9.2%)
Among these import subcategories, US purchases of computer parts or accessories (up 22.2%), taps, valves and similar appliances (up 12.1%) and turbo-jets (up 11.5%) 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 U.S. businesses and consumers.
Electronics
In 2018, American importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of electronic equipment.
- Phone system devices including smartphones: US$111.2 billion (down -1.8% from 2017)
- Integrated circuits/microassemblies: $34.9 billion (up 4.2%)
- TV receivers/monitors/projectors: $24.5 billion (down -0.5%)
- Insulated wire/cable: $22.3 billion (up 10.8%)
- Electrical converters/power units: $15.4 billion (up 8.1%)
- Electrical/optical circuit boards, panels: $12.6 billion (up 11.2%)
- Unrecorded sound media: $11.9 billion (up 5.2%)
- Lower-voltage switches, fuses: $11.8 billion (up 7.9%)
- TV receiver/transmit/digital cameras: $11.4 billion (down -4.2%)
- Electric motors, generators: $10.2 billion (up 5%)
Among these import subcategories, US purchases of electrical and optical circuit boards or panels (up 11.2%), insulated wire or cable (up 10.8%) and electrical converters or power units (up 8.1%) 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 U.S. businesses and consumers.
Vehicles
In 2018, American importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of vehicles.
- Cars: US$178.5 billion (down -0.6% from 2017)
- Automobile parts/accessories: $71.5 billion (up 7.4%)
- Trucks: $28.8 billion (up 8.8%)
- Tractors: $12.5 billion (up 37.3%)
- Trailers: $4.5 billion (up 24.6%)
- Motorcycles: $2.8 billion (up 24.2%)
- Bicycles, other non-motorized cycles: $1.6 billion (up 12.6%)
- Motorcycle parts/accessories: $1.5 billion (up 6.7%)
- Public-transport vehicles: $1.2 billion (up 7.8%)
- Automobile bodies: $1.2 billion (up 32.5%)
Among these import subcategories, US purchases of tractors (up 37.3%), automobile bodies (up 32.5%) and trailers (up 24.6%) 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 vehicles among U.S. businesses and consumers.
Fuel
In 2018, American importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of mineral fuels-related products.
- Crude oil: US$163.1 billion (up 17% from 2017)
- Processed petroleum oils: $61.5 billion (up 28%)
- Petroleum gases: $10.7 billion (down -2.6%)
- Electrical energy: $2.1 billion (down -8%)
- Petroleum oil residues: $1.7 billion (up 45.4%)
- Petroleum jelly, mineral waxes: $515.3 million (up 6.9%)
- Coal, solid fuels made from coal: $514.1 million (down -22.1%)
- Coal tar oils (high temperature distillation): $442.2 million (up 0.4%)
- Peat: $380 million (up 3.9%)
- Natural bitumen, asphalt, shale: $214.8 million (up 150.3%)
Among these import subcategories, US purchases of natural bitumen, asphalt and shale (up 150.3%), petroleum oil residues (up 45.4%) and processed petroleum oils (up 28%) grew at the fastest pace from 2017 to 2018.
These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported energy supplies among U.S. businesses and consumers.
Searchable List of America’s Most Valuable Import Products
At the more granular four-digit HTS code level, the top U.S. import products are cars followed by crude oil, mobile phones, computers then auto parts.
The following searchable table displays 200 of America’s most in-demand imported goods during 2018. Shown beside each product label is its total import value then the percentage increase or decrease since 2017.
| Rank | US Import Product | 2018 Value (US$) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cars | $178.5 billion | -0.6% |
| 2 | Crude oil | $163.1 billion | +17% |
| 3 | Phone system devices | $111.2 billion | -1.8% |
| 4 | Computers, optical readers | $93.7 billion | +10.4% |
| 5 | Medication mixes in dosage | $71.7 billion | +10.6% |
| 6 | Automobile parts/accessories | $71.5 billion | +7.4% |
| 7 | Processed petroleum oils | $61.5 billion | +28% |
| 8 | Blood fractions (including antisera) | $37.7 billion | +43.3% |
| 9 | Integrated circuits/microassemblies | $34.9 billion | +4.2% |
| 10 | Trucks | $28.8 billion | +8.8% |
| 11 | Computer parts, accessories | $28.1 billion | +22.2% |
| 12 | Miscellaneous furniture | $27.6 billion | +8.6% |
| 13 | Turbo-jets | $26.4 billion | +11.5% |
| 14 | Seats (excluding barber/dentist chairs) | $26.2 billion | +5.8% |
| 15 | Electro-medical equip (e.g. xrays) | $25.4 billion | +10.7% |
| 16 | TV receivers/monitors/projectors | $24.5 billion | -0.5% |
| 17 | Diamonds (unmounted/unset) | $24.4 billion | +5.4% |
| 18 | Insulated wire/cable | $22.3 billion | +10.8% |
| 19 | Aircraft parts | $19.2 billion | +14.4% |
| 20 | Printing machinery | $16.7 billion | -1.7% |
| 21 | Taps, valves, similar appliances | $16.7 billion | +12.1% |
| 22 | Electrical converters/power units | $15.4 billion | +8.1% |
| 23 | Rubber tires (new) | $15.3 billion | +7.9% |
| 24 | Jerseys, pullovers (knit or crochet) | $15.3 billion | +6.1% |
| 25 | Models, puzzles, miscellaneous toys | $14.8 billion | -1.3% |
| 26 | Orthopedic appliances | $13.4 billion | +12% |
| 27 | Lamps, lighting, illuminated signs | $12.6 billion | +5.9% |
| 28 | Electrical/optical circuit boards, panels | $12.6 billion | +11.2% |
| 29 | Tractors | $12.5 billion | +37.3% |
| 30 | Heterocyclics, nucleic acids | $12.5 billion | +15.9% |
| 31 | Aircraft, spacecraft | $12.3 billion | -11.1% |
| 32 | Air or vacuum pumps | $12 billion | +6.2% |
| 33 | Cases, handbags, wallets | $12 billion | +6.5% |
| 34 | Piston engines | $12 billion | +7.9% |
| 35 | Unrecorded sound media | $11.9 billion | +5.2% |
| 36 | Liquid pumps and elevators | $11.8 billion | +10.9% |
| 37 | Lower-voltage switches, fuses | $11.8 billion | +7.9% |
| 38 | TV receiver/transmit/digital cameras | $11.4 billion | -4.2% |
| 39 | Miscellaneous plastic items | $11.2 billion | +9.9% |
| 40 | Footwear (leather) | $11 billion | +3.2% |
| 41 | Petroleum gases | $10.7 billion | -2.6% |
| 42 | Women's clothing (not knit or crochet) | $10.4 billion | +3.6% |
| 43 | Aluminum (unwrought) | $10.3 billion | -5.5% |
| 44 | Electric motors, generators | $10.2 billion | +5% |
| 45 | Electrical machinery | $10.1 billion | +14.3% |
| 46 | Piston engine parts | $10 billion | +6.2% |
| 47 | Transmission shafts, gears, clutches | $9.9 billion | +9.2% |
| 48 | Refrigerators, freezers | $9.8 billion | +6.8% |
| 49 | Machinery parts | $9.7 billion | +16.2% |
| 50 | Gold (unwrought) | $9.6 billion | -13.4% |
| 51 | Electric water heaters, hair dryers | $9.4 billion | +11.8% |
| 52 | Air conditioners | $9.3 billion | +15.6% |
| 53 | Centrifuges, filters and purifiers | $9.2 billion | +11.7% |
| 54 | Footwear (textile) | $9.1 billion | +6.5% |
| 55 | Miscellaneous machinery | $9.1 billion | +8.9% |
| 56 | Solar power diodes/semi-conductors | $8.9 billion | -16.6% |
| 57 | Jewelry | $8.8 billion | -3.6% |
| 58 | Alcohol (including spirits, liqueurs) | $8.7 billion | +9.5% |
| 59 | Machinery for making semi-conductors | $8.7 billion | +10.2% |
| 60 | Men's suits, trousers (not knit or crochet) | $8.5 billion | +4.3% |
| 61 | Plastic packing goods, lids, caps | $8.4 billion | +8.4% |
| 62 | Hand-drawn paintings, drawings | $8.1 billion | +11.6% |
| 63 | Table games, bowling equipment | $7.9 billion | +16.4% |
| 64 | Electric storage batteries | $7.9 billion | +12.4% |
| 65 | Base metal mountings, fittings | $7.6 billion | +10.9% |
| 66 | Sawn wood | $7.6 billion | +1.8% |
| 67 | Crustaceans (including lobsters) | $7.3 billion | -2.6% |
| 68 | Heavy machinery (bulldozers, excavators, road rollers) | $7.3 billion | +26.9% |
| 69 | Engines (diesel) | $6.8 billion | +13.8% |
| 70 | Sports equipment | $6.8 billion | +4.8% |
| 71 | Fish fillets, pieces | $6.7 billion | +9.2% |
| 72 | Physical/chemical analysis tools | $6.6 billion | +9.2% |
| 73 | Electrical lighting/signaling equpment, defrosters | $6.5 billion | +12.5% |
| 74 | Wine | $6.5 billion | +4.6% |
| 75 | Pneumatic hand tool | $6.3 billion | +7.3% |
| 76 | Women's clothing (knit or crochet) | $6.2 billion | +0.3% |
| 77 | T-shirts, vests (knit or crochet) | $6.2 billion | +5.2% |
| 78 | Iron and steel screws, bolts, nuts, washers | $6 billion | +16.7% |
| 79 | Footwear (rubber or plastic) | $6 billion | -0.1% |
| 80 | Microphones/headphones/amps | $6 billion | +3.6% |
| 81 | Platinum (unwrought) | $6 billion | +32.6% |
| 82 | Linens | $6 billion | +2.1% |
| 83 | Miscellaneous engines, motors | $5.9 billion | +15.1% |
| 84 | Plastic tableware, kitchenware, toiletry | $5.8 billion | +9.1% |
| 85 | Coffee | $5.7 billion | -9.4% |
| 86 | Bread, biscuits, cakes, pastries | $5.7 billion | +11.7% |
| 87 | Temperature-change machines | $5.7 billion | +4.2% |
| 88 | Miscellaneous iron or steel items | $5.7 billion | +15.3% |
| 89 | Malt beer | $5.6 billion | +4.8% |
| 90 | Miscellaneous heterocyclics | $5.4 billion | -8.4% |
| 91 | Other measuring/testing machines | $5.4 billion | +3.4% |
| 92 | Beauty/makeup/skin care preparations | $5.4 billion | +9.6% |
| 93 | Other food preparations | $5.4 billion | +125.5% |
| 94 | Plastic plates, sheets, film, tape, strips | $5.2 billion | +9.1% |
| 95 | Miscellaneous articles, dress patterns | $5.1 billion | +6.8% |
| 96 | Refined copper, unwrought alloys | $5.1 billion | -0.7% |
| 97 | Lifting/loading machinery | $4.8 billion | +9.3% |
| 98 | Ethylene polymers | $4.8 billion | +7.7% |
| 99 | Regulate/control instruments | $4.7 billion | -1.9% |
| 100 | Miscellaneous iron and steel structures | $4.6 billion | +7.1% |
| 101 | X-ray equipment | $4.5 billion | +7.3% |
| 102 | Trailers | $4.5 billion | +24.6% |
| 103 | Vulcanized rubber items | $4.5 billion | +9.4% |
| 104 | Radar, radio communication items | $4.5 billion | -1.6% |
| 105 | Electric ignition/start equipment | $4.4 billion | +8.2% |
| 106 | Mattresses, quilts | $4.4 billion | +11.4% |
| 107 | Sutures, special pharmaceutical goods | $4.2 billion | +44% |
| 108 | Flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel products (plated/coated) | $4 billion | -10.1% |
| 109 | Dishwashing, clean/dry/fill machines | $4 billion | +15.4% |
| 110 | Dates/figs/pineapples/mangoes/avocadoes/guavas | $4 billion | -6.3% |
| 111 | Aluminum plates, sheets, strips | $4 billion | +14.6% |
| 112 | Sulphonamides | $3.9 billion | +52.4% |
| 113 | Other diagnostic/lab reagents | $3.9 billion | +14.7% |
| 114 | Iron or steel tubes, pipes | $3.9 billion | +10.9% |
| 115 | Carnival items, magic tricks | $3.8 billion | +9.4% |
| 116 | Electric sound/visual signal bells or alarms | $3.7 billion | +5.4% |
| 117 | Miscellaneous iron or steel tubes, pipes | $3.7 billion | -15.9% |
| 118 | Oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers | $3.7 billion | +8.6% |
| 119 | Mechano-therapy appliances | $3.7 billion | +4.7% |
| 120 | Iron ferroalloys | $3.7 billion | +19.1% |
| 121 | Liquid crystal/laser/optical tools | $3.7 billion | +8.7% |
| 122 | Telecommunication receivers | $3.7 billion | -10.7% |
| 123 | Plastic tile or roll coverings | $3.6 billion | +46.8% |
| 124 | Laminated wood (including plywood, veneer panels) | $3.6 billion | +21.4% |
| 125 | Polyacetal/ether/carbonates | $3.6 billion | +16.6% |
| 126 | Liquid/gas checking instruments | $3.6 billion | +8.5% |
| 127 | Iron and steel stoves, barbecues | $3.5 billion | +5.6% |
| 128 | Rubber/plastic article making machines | $3.5 billion | +1% |
| 129 | Men's shirts (not knit or crochet) | $3.5 billion | +3.4% |
| 130 | Electric circuit parts, fuses, switches | $3.5 billion | +8.8% |
| 131 | Interchangeable hand/machine tools | $3.5 billion | +14.2% |
| 132 | Non-alcoholic drinks (not water/juice/milk) | $3.4 billion | +1% |
| 133 | Miscellaneous fresh/chilled vegetables | $3.4 billion | +5.3% |
| 134 | Miscellaneous fruits (fresh) | $3.4 billion | +14.9% |
| 135 | Chemical woodpulp (non-dissolving) | $3.4 billion | +20.6% |
| 136 | Ball, roller bearings | $3.4 billion | +10% |
| 137 | Silver (unwrought) | $3.3 billion | -8.4% |
| 138 | Miscellaneous preserved fruits | $3.3 billion | +8.1% |
| 139 | Women's underwear, pajamas (knit or crochet) | $3.3 billion | -0.6% |
| 140 | Filament/discharge lamps | $3.2 billion | +5.5% |
| 141 | Vacuum cleaners | $3.2 billion | +18.2% |
| 142 | Iron or non-alloy steel products (semi-finished) | $3.2 billion | +15.6% |
| 143 | Iron and steel tables, household items | $3.2 billion | +6.9% |
| 144 | Crustaceans, molluscs (preserved/prepared) | $3.1 billion | +6.8% |
| 145 | Scents used for beverage or industrial manufacturing | $3.1 billion | +20.4% |
| 146 | Wrist/pocket watches (no precious metal case) | $3.1 billion | -2.1% |
| 147 | Fresh or chilled beef | $3.1 billion | +9% |
| 148 | Fork-lift trucks | $3 billion | +25.9% |
| 149 | Other machine parts, accessories | $3 billion | +8.4% |
| 150 | Monument/building stones, art | $3 billion | -1.3% |
| 151 | Cyclic hydrocarbons | $3 billion | +13.5% |
| 152 | Spray/dispersing mechanical appliances | $2.9 billion | +10.5% |
| 153 | Iron or steel pipe fittings | $2.9 billion | +31.6% |
| 154 | Paper containers, cellulose wadding | $2.9 billion | +8.3% |
| 155 | TV/radio/radar device parts | $2.9 billion | -5.7% |
| 156 | Acyclic alcohols | $2.9 billion | +18.5% |
| 157 | Amino-compounds (oxygen) | $2.8 billion | +33.7% |
| 158 | Potassic fertilizers | $2.8 billion | +8.6% |
| 159 | Bananas, plantains | $2.8 billion | +2.5% |
| 160 | Chemical industry products/residuals | $2.8 billion | +14.6% |
| 161 | Motorcycles | $2.8 billion | +24.2% |
| 162 | Moulding boxes/base | $2.8 billion | +4.6% |
| 163 | Chocolate, other cocoa preparations | $2.7 billion | -0.2% |
| 164 | Radioactive chemical elements | $2.7 billion | +3.7% |
| 165 | Optical fiber cables, sheets, plates | $2.7 billion | +11% |
| 166 | Plastic tubes, pipes, fittings | $2.7 billion | +22.2% |
| 167 | Clothing, accessories (vulcanized rubber) | $2.7 billion | +12.3% |
| 168 | Women's shirts (not knit or crochet) | $2.7 billion | -0.8% |
| 169 | Tracksuits, swimwear (not knit or crochet) | $2.7 billion | +3.2% |
| 170 | Hot-rolled iron or non-alloy steel products | $2.6 billion | +32.9% |
| 171 | Locks, lock-keys | $2.6 billion | +5.5% |
| 172 | Spectacles, goggles | $2.6 billion | +6.6% |
| 173 | Coated paper | $2.6 billion | +16.8% |
| 174 | Bras, corsets (not knit or crochet) | $2.5 billion | -13% |
| 175 | Perfumes, toilet waters | $2.5 billion | +6.5% |
| 176 | Pig iron | $2.5 billion | +33.6% |
| 177 | Tomatoes | $2.5 billion | +9.4% |
| 178 | Nitrogenous fertilizers | $2.5 billion | +8% |
| 179 | Concrete/artificial stone items | $2.5 billion | +14.8% |
| 180 | Electric motor parts | $2.4 billion | +3.7% |
| 181 | Stockings, hosiery (knit or crochet) | $2.4 billion | +4.5% |
| 182 | Wood carpentry, builders' joinery | $2.4 billion | +3.7% |
| 183 | Harvest/threshing machinery | $2.4 billion | +17.3% |
| 184 | Plastic plates, sheets, film, tape, strips | $2.4 billion | +5.1% |
| 185 | Fruit and vegetable juices | $2.4 billion | +15% |
| 186 | Women's coats, jackets (not knit or crochet) | $2.4 billion | +12.5% |
| 187 | Heterocyclics, oxygen | $2.3 billion | +71.1% |
| 188 | Whole fish (fresh) | $2.3 billion | +7.9% |
| 189 | Frozen beef | $2.2 billion | +0.3% |
| 190 | Printed circuits | $2.2 billion | +6% |
| 191 | Zinc (unwrought) | $2.2 billion | +18.6% |
| 192 | Precious/semi-precious stones (unstrung) | $2.2 billion | +0.5% |
| 193 | Unglazed ceramic flags, tiles | $2.2 billion | +3% |
| 194 | Men's coats, jackets (not knit or crochet) | $2.1 billion | +13.3% |
| 195 | Uncoated paper for writing/printing | $2.1 billion | +11.3% |
| 196 | Men's suits,trousers (knit or crochet) | $2.1 billion | +17.2% |
| 197 | Electrical energy | $2.1 billion | -8% |
| 198 | Men's shirts (knit or crochet) | $2 billion | +0.2% |
| 199 | Electromechanic domestic appliances | $2 billion | +7.9% |
| 200 | Printed books, brochures | $2 billion | +6% |
These 200 imported goods were worth a subtotal of US$2.074 trillion or almost four-fifths (79.3%) by value for all products imported into the United States during 2018.
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 March 7, 2019
Trade Map, International Trade Centre. Accessed on March 7, 2019