That dollar amount reflects a 29.4% increase compared to $2.609 trillion in 2018 and a 15% year-over-year uptick from $2.935 trillion during 2021.
From a continental perspective, 45.1% of America’s total imports by value in 2022 were purchased from providers in Asia. Fellow North American trade partners, Canada and Mexico, supplied 26.9% of import sales to the U.S. while 21.4% worth originated from Europe.
At 4.7%, suppliers from Latin America excluding Mexico but including the Caribbean accounted for a smaller percentage of American import purchases. Even tinier amounts came from Africa (1.3%) and Oceania (0.7%) led by Australia and New Zealand.
Given America’s population of 333 million people, its total $3.376 trillion in 2022 imports translates to about $10,100 in yearly product demand from each U.S. resident. That dollar metric exceeds the average $8,900 per person one year earlier.
To give some perspective on the rising cost of U.S. imported products, the average increase in inflation rate was 8.052% for consumer prices from 2021 to 2022.
United States Top 10 Imports
The following product groups represent the highest dollar value in America’s import purchases during 2022. Also shown is the percentage share each product category represents in terms of overall imports into the US.
- Electrical machinery, equipment: US$477.1 billion (14.1% of total imports)
- Machinery including computers: $475.9 billion (14.1%)
- Vehicles: $329.6 billion (9.8%)
- Mineral fuels including oil: $322.7 billion (9.6%)
- Pharmaceuticals: $165 billion (4.9%)
- Optical, technical, medical apparatus: $115 billion (3.4%)
- Gems, precious metals: $97 billion (2.9%)
- Plastics, plastic articles: $89.9 billion (2.7%)
- Furniture, bedding, lighting, signs, prefabricated buildings: $86.7 billion (2.6%)
- Organic chemicals: $75.9 billion (2.2%)
The above product categories account for about two-thirds (66.2%) of total US imports during 2022.
America’s imports of mineral fuels including oil posted the fastest-growing increase in value among the top 10 product categories, up 71.4% from 2021 to 2022. U.S. exports of crude oil was the leading subcategory of improving mineral fuels.
In second place were U.S. imports of organic chemicals (up 17.5%), vehicles (up 16..5%), then electrical machinery and equipment (up 14.9%).
The mildest year-over-year gain was 1% for gems and precious metals, weighed down by lower spending on platinum, gold and silver from international markets.
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.
Major US Imports of Electronics Products
In 2022, American importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of electronics equipment.
- Phone devices including smartphones: US$126.7 billion (up 13.6% from 2021)
- Integrated circuits/microassemblies: $43.7 billion (up 6%)
- Insulated wire/cable: $29.9 billion (up 20.6%)
- TV receivers/monitors/projectors: $25.3 billion (down -6.5%)
- Electric storage batteries: $23.9 billion (up 58.7%)
- Electrical converters/power units: $23.4 billion (up 23.6%)
- Unrecorded sound media: $18.6 billion (up 8.8%)
- Solar power diodes/semi-conductors: $18 billion (up 34.1%)
- Electrical machinery: $17.1 billion (up 48.2%)
- Electrical/optical circuit boards, panels: $16.3 billion (up 15.6%)
Among these import subcategories, U.S. purchases of electric storage batteries (up 58.7%), electrical machinery (up 48.2%) then solar power diodes and semi-conductors (up 34.1%) grew at the fastest pace from 2021 to 2022.
Major US Imports of Machinery Products Including Computers
In 2022, American importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of machinery including computers.
- Computers, optical readers: US$123.8 billion (up 4.8% from 2021)
- Computer parts, accessories: $34.1 billion (up 12.2%)
- Turbo-jets: $23.8 billion (up 21.3%)
- Taps, valves, similar appliances: $18.1 billion (up 15.7%)
- Printing machinery: $16.2 billion (up 5.2%)
- Air or vacuum pumps: $15.6 billion (up 14.1%)
- Refrigerators, freezers: $15 billion (up 5.7%)
- Air conditioners: $14 billion (up 20.6%)
- Centrifuges, filters and purifiers: $13.9 billion (up 7.7%)
- Liquid pumps and elevators: $13.1 billion (up 12.9%)
Among these import subcategories, U.S. purchases of turbo-jets (up 21.3%), air conditioners (up 20.6%) then taps, valves and similar appliances (up 15.7%) grew at the fastest pace from 2021 to 2022.
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.
Major US Imports of Vehicles Plus Related Products
In 2022, American importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of vehicles.
- Cars: US$168.3 billion (up 13.7% from 2021)
- Automobile parts/accessories: $86.2 billion (up 16.7%)
- Trucks: $35.2 billion (up 13.1%)
- Tractors: $18.8 billion (up 43.6%)
- Trailers: $7 billion (up 35.1%)
- Motorcycles: $5.1 billion (up 39.4%)
- Motorcycle parts/accessories: $2.4 billion (up 10.6%)
- Bicycles, other non-motorized cycles: $2.2 billion (up 2.4%)
- Special purpose vehicles: $985 million (up 11.3%)
- Automobile bodies: $759.4 million (up 27.7%)
Among these import subcategories, U.S. purchases of tractors (up 43.6%), motorcycles (up 39.4%) then trailers (up 35.1%) grew at the fastest pace from 2021 to 2022.
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.
Major US Imports of Mineral Fuels Plus Related Products
In 2022, American importers spent the most on the following subcategories of mineral fuels and related products.
- Crude oil: US$204.7 billion (up 47.8% from 2021)
- Processed petroleum oils: $82.3 billion (up 27.9%)
- Petroleum gases: $24.1 billion (up 59.3%)
- Electrical energy: $4.2 billion (up 61%)
- Petroleum oil residues: $3.7 billion (up 89%)
- Coal tar oils (high temperature distillation): $1.2 billion (up 151%)
- Coal, solid fuels made from coal: $761 million (up 49.4%)
- Petroleum jelly, mineral waxes: $624.5 million (up 26.5%)
- Peat: $554.2 million (down -6.2%)
- Asphalt/petroleum bitumen mixes: $197.3 million (up 53.8%)
Among these import subcategories, U.S. purchases of high-temperature distilled coal tar oils (up 151%), petroleum oil residues (up 89%) then electrical energy (up 61%) grew at the fastest pace from 2021 to 2022.
These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported pharmaceuticals among U.S. businesses and consumers.
Searchable List of America’s Most Valuable Import Products
The following searchable table displays 100 of America’s most in-demand imported goods during 2022. Shown beside each product label is its total import value then the percentage increase or decrease since 2021.
| Rank | US Import Product | 2022 Value (US$) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crude oil | $204,715,565,000 | +47.8% |
| 2 | Cars | $168,337,379,000 | +13.7% |
| 3 | Phone devices including smartphones | $126,687,473,000 | +13.6% |
| 4 | Computers, optical readers | $123,819,128,000 | +4.8% |
| 5 | Medication mixes in dosage | $91,962,179,000 | +8.9% |
| 6 | Automobile parts/accessories | $86,225,918,000 | +16.7% |
| 7 | Processed petroleum oils | $82,306,262,000 | +27.9% |
| 8 | Blood fractions (including antisera) | $64,786,028,000 | +11.3% |
| 9 | Integrated circuits/microassemblies | $43,684,949,000 | +6% |
| 10 | Miscellaneous furniture | $36,139,352,000 | +13.1% |
| 11 | Trucks | $35,161,277,000 | +13.1% |
| 12 | Electro-medical equip (e.g. xrays) | $35,101,332,000 | +9.9% |
| 13 | Computer parts, accessories | $34,108,651,000 | +12.2% |
| 14 | Seats (excluding barber/dentist chairs) | $31,012,417,000 | +4.8% |
| 15 | Insulated wire/cable | $29,930,958,000 | +20.6% |
| 16 | TV receivers/monitors/projectors | $25,324,438,000 | -6.5% |
| 17 | Petroleum gases | $24,123,703,000 | +59.3% |
| 18 | Electric storage batteries | $23,910,267,000 | +58.7% |
| 19 | Turbo-jets | $23,818,114,000 | +21.3% |
| 20 | Diamonds (unmounted/unset) | $23,676,721,000 | +17.1% |
| 21 | Electrical converters/power units | $23,428,788,000 | +23.6% |
| 22 | Models, puzzles, miscellaneous toys | $22,153,371,000 | +12.9% |
| 23 | Rubber tires (new) | $21,776,161,000 | +26.4% |
| 24 | Tractors | $18,813,699,000 | +43.6% |
| 25 | Unrecorded sound media | $18,586,922,000 | +8.8% |
| 26 | Taps, valves, similar appliances | $18,085,599,000 | +15.7% |
| 27 | Jerseys, pullovers (knit or crochet) | $18,009,894,000 | +16% |
| 28 | Solar power diodes/semi-conductors | $17,986,437,000 | +34.1% |
| 29 | Electrical machinery | $17,121,481,000 | +48.2% |
| 30 | Orthopedic appliances | $16,873,864,000 | +17.2% |
| 31 | Other precious metal items | $16,785,405,000 | +71.6% |
| 32 | Electrical/optical circuit boards, panels | $16,348,273,000 | +15.6% |
| 33 | Printing machinery | $16,230,472,000 | +5.2% |
| 34 | Miscellaneous plastic items | $15,931,929,000 | -6.8% |
| 35 | Air or vacuum pumps | $15,617,092,000 | +14.1% |
| 36 | Aluminum (unwrought) | $15,327,815,000 | +31.7% |
| 37 | Heterocyclics, nucleic acids | $15,117,338,000 | +23.3% |
| 38 | Footwear (leather) | $15,049,387,000 | +39.4% |
| 39 | Refrigerators, freezers | $14,973,784,000 | +5.7% |
| 40 | Table games, bowling equipment | $14,787,035,000 | +18.9% |
| 41 | Lower-voltage switches, fuses | $14,696,623,000 | +16.7% |
| 42 | Cases, handbags, wallets | $14,676,723,000 | +27.5% |
| 43 | Air conditioners | $13,986,045,000 | +20.6% |
| 44 | Centrifuges, filters and purifiers | $13,856,618,000 | +7.7% |
| 45 | Platinum (unwrought) | $13,806,752,000 | -24.8% |
| 46 | Microphones/headphones/amps | $13,750,852,000 | +11.7% |
| 47 | #N/A | $13,519,410,000 | #DIV/0! |
| 48 | Jewelry | $13,229,931,000 | -6% |
| 49 | Liquid pumps and elevators | $13,123,124,000 | +12.9% |
| 50 | Sawn wood | $12,976,868,000 | -9% |
| 51 | Electric motors, generators | $12,913,145,000 | +13.6% |
| 52 | TV receiver/transmit/digital cameras | $12,906,977,000 | +7.8% |
| 53 | Alcohol (including spirits, liqueurs) | $12,878,979,000 | +20.5% |
| 54 | Electric water heaters, hair dryers | $12,818,655,000 | +5.2% |
| 55 | Aircraft, spacecraft | $12,583,296,000 | -2.5% |
| 56 | Footwear (textile) | $12,518,319,000 | +32.5% |
| 57 | Machinery parts | $12,447,877,000 | +23.1% |
| 58 | Women's clothing (not knit or crochet) | $12,189,220,000 | +35.1% |
| 59 | Piston engines | $12,176,446,000 | +11.9% |
| 60 | Miscellaneous machinery | $12,035,900,000 | +16.3% |
| 61 | Machinery for making semi-conductors | $11,836,177,000 | +34.9% |
| 62 | Lamps, lighting, illuminated signs | $11,800,827,000 | -0.9% |
| 63 | Piston engine parts | $11,750,598,000 | +12.7% |
| 64 | Miscellaneous heterocyclics | $11,421,222,000 | +22.2% |
| 65 | Transmission shafts, gears, clutches | $11,012,191,000 | +9.9% |
| 66 | Plastic packing goods, lids, caps | $10,880,779,000 | +11.9% |
| 67 | Heavy machinery (bulldozers, excavators, road rollers) | $10,608,721,000 | +39.8% |
| 68 | Sports equipment | $10,595,390,000 | -18.9% |
| 69 | Men's suits, trousers (not knit or crochet) | $10,241,470,000 | +36.4% |
| 70 | Base metal mountings, fittings | $10,028,394,000 | +14.8% |
| 71 | Bread, biscuits, cakes, pastries | $9,831,887,000 | +25.8% |
| 72 | Coffee | $9,786,287,000 | +41.5% |
| 73 | Other diagnostic/lab reagents | $9,617,530,000 | +51.7% |
| 74 | Gold (unwrought) | $9,612,186,000 | -30.8% |
| 75 | Fish fillets, pieces | $9,582,414,000 | +28.3% |
| 76 | Plastic tableware, kitchenware, toiletry | $9,575,903,000 | +12.1% |
| 77 | Crustaceans (including lobsters) | $9,541,503,000 | -12.8% |
| 78 | T-shirts, vests (knit or crochet) | $9,303,249,000 | +26% |
| 79 | Iron and steel screws, bolts, nuts, washers | $8,533,135,000 | +29.9% |
| 80 | Other food preparations | $8,471,851,000 | +14.2% |
| 81 | Miscellaneous iron and steel structures | $8,337,517,000 | +33.5% |
| 82 | Footwear (rubber or plastic) | $8,320,482,000 | +31.8% |
| 83 | Pneumatic hand tool | $8,280,945,000 | -9.1% |
| 84 | Physical/chemical analysis tools | $8,130,046,000 | +7.5% |
| 85 | Miscellaneous iron or steel items | $7,937,023,000 | +24% |
| 86 | Wine | $7,684,771,000 | +4.2% |
| 87 | Lifting/loading machinery | $7,640,482,000 | +26.1% |
| 88 | Temperature-change machines | $7,634,669,000 | +18.1% |
| 89 | Flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel products (plated/coated) | $7,565,621,000 | +26.2% |
| 90 | Women's clothing (knit or crochet) | $7,489,311,000 | +8.2% |
| 91 | Plastic plates, sheets, film, tape, strips | $7,479,850,000 | +15.6% |
| 92 | Hand-drawn paintings, drawings | $7,452,785,000 | +20.9% |
| 93 | Electrical lighting/signaling equpment, defrosters | $7,315,457,000 | +11.2% |
| 94 | Hormones, miscellaneous steroids | $7,248,103,000 | +20.8% |
| 95 | Miscellaneous articles, dress patterns | $7,057,345,000 | -5.9% |
| 96 | Malt beer | $7,050,111,000 | +6.4% |
| 97 | Trailers | $7,011,638,000 | +35.1% |
| 98 | Linens | $6,982,632,000 | -7.6% |
| 99 | Refined copper, unwrought alloys | $6,817,742,000 | -21.4% |
| 100 | Miscellaneous engines, motors | $6,718,834,000 | +3.4% |
These 100 imported goods were worth a subtotal of US$2.251 trillion or two-thirds (66.7%) by value for all products imported into the United States during 2022.
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:
Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook Country Profiles. Accessed on March 18, 2023
International Trade Centre, Trade Map. Accessed on March 18, 2023
