Trade partner
U.S. Imports
$27.1B
August 2026
U.S. Exports
$8.7B
August 2026
Trade deficit
$18.4B
August 2026 · U.S. imports more than it exports
In August 2026 the United States imported $27.1B from China and exported $8.7B to it, across 4,550 imported product categories.
China was the 3rd-largest source of U.S. goods imports in August 2026. Over the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $266.4B from China and exported $106.5B to it. In August 2026, the U.S. ran a monthly goods trade deficit of $18.4B with China, importing 3.1× as much as it exported. Compared with August 2025, U.S. goods imports from China in August 2026 (preliminary) were 15% higher, and exports to China were 6% higher. U.S. goods imports from China of $27.1B in August 2026 ran 18% above the year-to-date monthly average of $22.9B.
China is the world's largest merchandise exporter and second-largest importer, playing a central role in global supply chains across electronics, machinery, textiles, chemicals, and steel. It is a WTO member and participates in RCEP, the world's largest free trade agreement by GDP coverage, as well as numerous bilateral trade and investment agreements. China's customs authority, the General Administration of Customs (GACC), enforces strict import regulations including registration requirements for foreign food and agricultural exporters.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
China's top exports include integrated circuits, computers, telecommunications equipment, and machinery. Key imports include semiconductors, crude oil, iron ore, soybeans, and automotive components.
Foreign manufacturers and exporters of food products must register with the General Administration of Customs China (GACC) before shipping to China, with specific registration requirements varying by product category such as meat, dairy, seafood, and grains.
Since 2018, the US and China have imposed significant additional tariffs on each other's goods through successive rounds of trade actions, substantially increasing landed costs for many product categories and prompting supply chain diversification strategies.
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Annual data from BEA | 2025
Services Exports
$57.2B
Services Imports
$22.8B
The top U.S. imports from China are Estimated Imports of Low-Valued Transactions, Wheeled Toys, Dolls, and Other Toys; Reduced-Scale Models… and Smartphones, by value in the latest month.
| Rank | Product | Import value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Estimated Imports of Low-Valued TransactionsChapter 99 · Special Import Reporting Provisions | $1.1B |
| 2 | $1.0B | |
| 3 | $919.7M | |
| 4 | US-Origin Articles Exported & Returned Without AdvancementChapter 98 · Special Classification Provisions | $645.3M |
| 5 | $628.6M | |
| 6 | $505.3M | |
| 7 | $492.1M | |
| 8 | $483.9M | |
| 9 | $476.4M | |
| 10 | $427.2M |
| Rank | Product | Export value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Civilian Aircraft, Engines, Equipment, and PartsChapter 88 · Aircraft, Spacecraft & Parts | $1.2B |
| 2 | $880.6M | |
| 3 |
| $358.7M |
| 4 | $284.4M |
| 5 | $283.6M |
| 6 | $252.3M |
| 7 | Low-Value Export Shipments & Canadian Estimated Late ReceiptsChapter 98 · Special Classification Provisions | $157.3M |
| 8 | $132.9M |
| 9 | $113.8M |
| 10 | $105.5M |