The following export products represent the highest dollar value in South Carolina global shipments during 2020. Also shown is the percentage share each export category represents in terms of overall exports from South Carolina.

Figures are shown at the more granular six-digit Harmonized Tariff System code level, for more precise product identification.

1. Aircraft including engines, parts: US$4 billion (13.3% of South Carolina’s total exports)
2. Mid-sized automobiles (piston engine): $3.9 billion (13%)
3. Large automobiles (diesel engine): $2.4 billion (7.9%)
4. Automobiles (both spark ignition and electric motors): $1.9 billion (6.4%)
5. New rubber tires for specialty vehicles: $895 million (3%)
6. Large automobiles (piston engine): $729 million (2.4%)
7. Mid-sized automobiles (diesel engine): $589 million (1.9%)
8. Motor vehicle body parts, accessories: $508 million (1.7%)
9. Motor vehicle transmissions: $377 million (1.2%)
10. Machinery or mechanical appliance parts: $353 million (1.2%)

South Carolina’s top 10 exports represent 52% of the overall value of the state’s global shipments.

There were 2 gainers year over year among the state’s top 10 export categories led by automobiles with both spark ignition plus electric motors (up 1,079%) and large automobiles powered by piston engine (up 32.5%).

The leading decliners from 2019 to 2020 among South Carolina top 10 export products were aircraft including engines and other parts (down -67.4%), mid-sized automobiles with diesel engine (down -52.4%) and machinery or mechanical appliance parts (down -48.3%).

South Carolina incurred an overall -$12 billion deficit exporting and importing products during 2020, reversing a $1.3 billion surplus in 2019.

Another way of saying surplus or deficit is positive or negative net exports. In a nutshell, the term “net exports” quantifies the amount by which foreign spending on a state’s goods or services exceeds or lags that same state’s spending on foreign goods or services.

Below are South Carolina’s top 10 import products highlighting the state’s highest spending on foreign-made goods in 2020.

1. Uranium U235/plutonium compounds, mixtures: $935 million (2.3% of South Carolina’s total imports)
2. Hand tools with electric motors: $889 million (2.2%)
3. Large spark-ignition engines: $876 million (2.2%)
4. Miscellaneous motor vehicle parts: $825 million (2.1%)
5. Motor vehicle body parts, accessories: $768 million (1.9%)
6. Miscellaneous precious metal scrap: $707 million (1.8%)
7. Motor vehicle transmissions: $610 million (1.5%)
8. Electrical boards and panels: $555 million (1.4%)
9. Solar power semi-conductors, photovoltaic cells: $526 million (1.3%)
10. Car tires (rubber, pneumatic): $513 million (1.3%)

South Carolina has negative net exports in the international trade of uranium U235/plutonium compounds and mixtures. In turn, these cashflows indicate South Carolina’s competitive disadvantages under this product category.

The following list shows the top 10 customers that purchased about two-thirds (67%) worth of the total value of products exported from South Carolina during 2020.

1. Germany: $4.1 billion (13.5% of South Carolina’s total exports)
2. Canada: $4 billion (13.2%)
3. China: $3.9 billion (12.8%)
4. Mexico: $1.8 billion (6%)
5. Belgium: $1.4 billion (4.7%)
6. United Kingdom: $1.4 billion (4.5%)
7. Japan: $1.18 billion (3.9%)
8. South Korea: $1.16 billion (3.8%)
9. Taiwan: $855 million (2.8%)
10. Australia: $843 million (2.8%)

South Carolina’s top trade partners in Asia (China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan) consume 23.3% of the overall value of exported goods from the Palmetto State. This compares with 19.1% for North American importers in Canada and Mexico.

South Carolina Export Companies

Five of South Carolina-based corporations rank among Fortune 1000 Companies, a list that showcases America’s largest businesses. Selected examples of companies headquartered or operationally based in South Carolina are shown below.

• ScanSource (security, networking, barcode, technology)
• Resolute Forest Products (pulp/paper mill)
• Sonoco Products Co. (packaging products)
• Domtar Corp (paper, paper goods)

Shown within brackets for each company is a summary of the international trade-related products or services which each business sells.