China’s imports rose 28.2% year-on-year to $282.36 billion in August 2026, slightly below the 30% forecast but accelerating from July’s 27.6% increase, as strong commodity demand and the global AI infrastructure buildout supported trade across Asia. Crude oil imports increased 6.2% from July to 37.9 million tons, while natural gas imports declined as war-driven price increases weighed on seaborne shipments. Coal imports remained elevated as the Shanxi mine disaster continued to constrain domestic production. Iron ore imports rose 3.1% year-on-year, while copper concentrate and refined metal purchases fell around 10% amid tight global markets. Soybean imports slipped 1.1% as tariffs and strained US-China ties curbed demand for US cargoes. Imports from South Korea, Taiwan, Japan and ASEAN economies surged 108.1%, 41.5%, 20.0% and 35.0%, respectively. Purchases from Australia and the US rose 44.6% and 17.8%, while imports from the EU edged up 0.7%. source: General Administration of Customs

Imports in China decreased to 282.36 USD Billion in August from 285.51 USD Billion in July of 2026. Imports in China averaged 78.92 USD Billion from 1981 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 286.41 USD Billion in June of 2026 and a record low of 1.39 USD Billion in February of 1983. This page provides - China Imports - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. China Imports - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on September of 2026.

Imports in China decreased to 282.36 USD Billion in August from 285.51 USD Billion in July of 2026. Imports in China is expected to be 291.00 USD Billion by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the China Imports is projected to trend around 315.00 USD Billion in 2027 and 350.00 USD Billion in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Balance of Trade 119.09 112.34 USD Billion Aug 2026
China Trade Balance – Yuan Terms 809.30 765.97 CNY Billion Aug 2026
Crude Oil Imports 37.93 35.73 Million Tonnes Aug 2026
Exports 401.44 397.85 USD Billion Aug 2026
Exports YoY 25.00 23.90 percent Aug 2026
Exports – Yuan Terms 2727.41 2712.51 CNY Billion Aug 2026
Imports 282.36 285.51 USD Billion Aug 2026
Imports YoY 28.20 27.60 percent Aug 2026
Imports – Yuan Terms 1918.11 1946.54 CNY Billion Aug 2026
Terms of Trade 92.40 86.90 points Jul 2026


China Imports
Machinery and transport equipment dominate China’s import mix, accounting for about 38% of total inbound shipments. Key components within this category include electrical machinery and appliances (21%), road vehicles (4%), telecommunications and audio-visual equipment (3%), and office machines and data-processing equipment (3%). China also imports significant volumes of mineral fuels, lubricants, and related materials (17%), driven largely by petroleum and petroleum products (13%) and natural and manufactured gas (3%). Crude, inedible materials excluding fuels make up 14% of imports, with metalliferous ores and metal scrap contributing 9%. Chemicals and related products represent 11% of total imports, led by organic chemicals (3%) and plastics in primary forms (3%). Additional import categories include miscellaneous manufactured articles (7%), manufactured goods classified chiefly by material (7%), and food and live animals (4%). The European Union is China’s largest source of imports, supplying 13% of the total, with Germany (5%) and France (2%) being major contributors. Other key import partners include South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan (each around 8%), followed by the United States and Australia (6% each). Brazil provides about 4%, while Malaysia, Vietnam, Russia, and Saudi Arabia each account for roughly 3%, and Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia about 2% apiece.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
282.36 285.51 286.41 1.39 1981 - 2026 USD Billion Monthly
Current Prices, NSA


International Trade
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