Trade partner
U.S. Imports
$543.1M
August 2026
U.S. Exports
$429.0M
August 2026
Trade deficit
$114.0M
August 2026 · U.S. imports more than it exports
In August 2026 the United States imported $543.1M from New Zealand and exported $429.0M to it, across 1,377 imported product categories.
Over the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $6.1B from New Zealand and exported $4.1B to it. In August 2026, the U.S. ran a monthly goods trade deficit of $114.0M with New Zealand, importing 1.3× as much as it exported. Compared with August 2025, U.S. goods imports from New Zealand in August 2026 (preliminary) were 37% higher, and exports to New Zealand were 17% higher.
New Zealand is a significant US trading partner whose export mix spans lamb and mutton, dairy products, kiwifruit, wine, and manufactured goods including machinery. Meat and dairy shipments are subject to USDA FSIS inspection and must originate from FSIS-approved establishments, while fresh produce faces USDA APHIS phytosanitary scrutiny. New Zealand's geographic isolation and strong biosecurity regime at origin generally support high product quality standards, but tariff-rate quotas apply to several agricultural categories — particularly beef and dairy — making quota timing a recurring planning consideration for importers.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
New Zealand holds country-specific TRQ allocations for beef and certain dairy products entering the US. Imports within quota receive a lower duty rate, while above-quota shipments face significantly higher rates. Importers should monitor quota fill levels through USDA and CBP channels and time shipments accordingly to manage landed costs.
Fresh fruit such as kiwifruit and apples must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries and may be subject to USDA APHIS inspection at the US port of entry. Some commodities require pre-clearance or treatment protocols to address pest risk — importers should confirm current APHIS requirements for each specific fruit before shipment.
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Annual data from BEA | 2025
Services Exports
$4.2B
Services Imports
$2.5B
The top U.S. imports from New Zealand are Frozen Boneless Bovine Meat, Natural Milk Constituent Products and Fresh Kiwi Fruit, by value in the latest month.
| Rank | Product | Import value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $109.4M | |
| 2 | $36.6M | |
| 3 | $33.7M | |
| 4 | US-Origin Articles Exported & Returned Without AdvancementChapter 98 · Special Classification Provisions | $31.1M |
| 5 | $25.8M | |
| 6 | $20.4M | |
| 7 | $18.3M | |
| 8 | $13.5M | |
| 9 | $11.8M | |
| 10 | $11.6M |
| Rank | Product | Export value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Civilian Aircraft, Engines, Equipment, and PartsChapter 88 · Aircraft, Spacecraft & Parts | $83.0M |
| 2 | Low-Value Export Shipments & Canadian Estimated Late ReceiptsChapter 98 · Special Classification Provisions | $33.4M |
| 3 |
| $31.9M |
| 4 | $17.0M |
| 5 | $13.6M |
| 6 | $13.3M |
| 7 | $11.5M |
| 8 | $9.0M |
| 9 | $8.5M |
| 10 | $6.0M |