The following product groups represent the highest dollar value in Hong Kong’s import purchases during 2020. Also shown is the percentage share each product category represents in terms of overall imports into Hong Kong.

1. Electrical machinery, equipment: US$321.7 billion (56.1% of total imports)
2. Machinery including computers: $67.2 billion (11.7%)
3. Gems, precious metals: $54.7 billion (9.6%)
4. Optical, technical, medical apparatus: $17.9 billion (3.1%)
5. Mineral fuels including oil: $8.8 billion (1.5%)
6. Perfumes, cosmetics: $8.6 billion (1.5%)
7. Plastics, plastic articles: $7.1 billion (1.2%)
8. Clocks, watches including parts: $6.2 billion (1.1%)
9. Meat: $5.3 billion (0.9%)
10. Fruits, nuts: $4 billion (0.7%)

Hong Kong’s top 10 imports accounted for well over four-fifths (87.5%) of the overall value of its product purchases from other trade partners.

The fastest growers among Hong Kong’s top imports from 2019 to 2020 were perfumes and cosmetics (up 33.8%), electrical machinery and equipment (up 4.5%) and machinery including computers (up 1.4%).

Leading the decliners year over year were Hong Kong’s imports of mineral fuels including oil via a -38.5% reduction.

Please note that the results listed above are at the 2-digit Harmonized Tariff System code level. Information presented under the adjacent virtual folder tabs labeled with a product grouping is at the more granular 4-digit level.

In 2020, Hong Kong importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of electronic equipment including consumer electronics.

1. Integrated circuits/microassemblies: US$168.9 billion (up 11.7% from 2019)
2. Phone system devices including smartphones: $69.2 billion (down -3.7%)
3. Solar power diodes/semi-conductors: $15.7 billion (up 6.1%)
4. Printed circuits: $8.6 billion (down -4.1%)
5. Electrical converters/power units: $7.9 billion (down -2%)
6. Lower-voltage switches, fuses: $7.1 billion (down -2.4%)
7. TV/radio/radar device parts: $6.6 billion (down -2.3%)
8. Unrecorded sound media: $6 billion (up 21.4%)
9. Electrical capacitators: $5.6 billion (up 16.6%)
10. Electric storage batteries: $3.5 billion (up 15.8%)

Among these import subcategories, Hong Kong’s purchases of unrecorded sound media (up 21.4%), electrical capacitators (up 16.6%) then electric storage batteries (up 15.8%) grew at the fastest pace from 2019 to 2020.

These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported electronics among Hong Kong businesses and consumers.

In 2020, Hong Kong importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of machinery including computers.

1. Computers, optical readers: US$20.8 billion (up 3.6% from 2019)
2. Computer parts, accessories: $20.6 billion (down -0.03%)
3. Turbo-jets: $11.2 billion (up 13.9%)
4. Printing machinery: $3.6 billion (down -15.7%)
5. Miscellaneous machinery: $1.6 billion (down -0.2%)
6. Machinery for making semi-conductors: $1.2 billion (up 11.1%)
7. Air conditioners: $784.3 million (down -14.3%)
8. Air or vacuum pumps: $691.1 million (up 1.3%)
9. Machinery parts: $549.7 million (down -2.2%)
10. Ball, roller bearings: $497.6 million (up 6.5%)

Among these import subcategories, Hong Kong’s purchases of turbo-jets (up 13.9%), machinery for making semi-conductors (up 11.1%) then ball or roller bearings (up 6.5%) grew at the fastest pace from 2019 to 2020.

These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported machinery among Hong Kong businesses and consumers.

In 2020, Hong Kong importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of precious metals and gems.

1. Gold (unwrought): US$18.9 billion (up 35.2% from 2019)
2. Diamonds (unmounted/unset): $11.4 billion (down -35.6%)
3. Jewelry: $11.3 billion (down -16.9%)
4. Platinum (unwrought): $6 billion (up 34.3%)
5. Precious metal waste, scrap: $3.8 billion (up 341.5%)
6. Silver (unwrought): $1.2 billion (up 19.1%)
7. Precious/semi-precious stones (unstrung): $1.1 billion (down -16%)
8. Synthetic precious stones: $473.2 million (down -10.1%)
9. Imitation jewelry: $217.4 million (down -44.3%)
10. Pearls: $176.7 million (down -20.1%)

Among these import subcategories, Hong Kong’s purchases of precious metal waste and scrap (up 341.5%), gold (up 35.2%) then platinum (up 34.3%) grew at the fastest pace from 2019 to 2020.

These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported precious metals and gems among Hong Kong businesses and consumers.

In 2020, Hong Kong importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of optical, medical and technical equipment.

1. Liquid crystal/laser/optical tools: US$4 billion (down -3.7% from 2019)
2. Optical fiber cables, sheets, plates: $1.9 billion (up 12%)
3. Electro-medical equipment (e.g. xrays): $1.7 billion (up 5.7%)
4. Physical/chemical analysis tools: $1.7 billion (up 7.9%)
5. Other measuring/testing machines: $1.3 billion (up 19.9%)
6. Oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers: $1.1 billion (up 28%)
7. Lenses, prisms, mirrors: $1 billion (down -24%)
8. Spectacle/goggle frames, mountings: $756.9 million (down -13.6%)
9. Spectacles, goggles: $697.8 million (down -29.3%)
10. Regulate/control instruments: $591.6 million (down -18.1%)

Among these import subcategories, Hong Kong’s purchases of oscilloscopes and spectrum analyzers (up 28%), other measuring or testing machines (up 19.9%) then optical fiber cables, sheets and plates (up 12%) grew at the fastest pace from 2019 to 2020.

These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported optical, medical and technical equipment among Hong Kong businesses and consumers.