by Flagpictures.org
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
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