China–United Kingdom Bilateral Trade 2026
China–United Kingdom trade reached $86.9B in January–September 2026, +12.2% year on year. China exported $72.8B and imported $14.1B.
Source: GACC Monthly · USD Data as of: September 2026 Coverage 2018-01–2026-09
Explore this data
Leading commodity chapters across the available monthly history — darker cells show higher trade value. Hover any cell for detail.
Top China Exports to United Kingdom
| HS chapter | Jan–Sep 2026 | Share | YoY | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS 85Electrical machinery and electronics | $14.4B | 19.8% | +16.2% | $17.3B |
| HS 84Machinery and mechanical appliances | $10.6B | 14.6% | +16.7% | $12.2B |
| HS 87Vehicles and parts | $10.5B | 14.5% | +63.1% | $9.3B |
| HS 94Furniture, bedding and lighting | $4.1B | 5.7% | +3.2% | $5.3B |
| HS 98Commodities not classified by kind | $3.3B | 4.6% | -7.8% | $5.0B |
| HS 95Toys, games and sports equipment | $2.9B | 4.0% | -11.8% | $4.0B |
| HS 39Plastics and articles thereof | $2.5B | 3.5% | +14.6% | $2.9B |
| HS 61Apparel, knitted or crocheted | $2.3B | 3.2% | +1.1% | $2.9B |
| HS 73Articles of iron or steel | $2.1B | 2.8% | +24.1% | $2.4B |
| HS 62Apparel, not knitted or crocheted | $1.8B | 2.4% | -1.7% | $2.3B |
Top HS4 products, Jan–Sep 2026
| HS4 product | Jan–Sep 2026 | Share | YoY | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS 8703Motor cars for transport of persons | $8.5B | 11.6% | +80.9% | $6.9B |
| HS 8471Automatic data processing machines | $4.1B | 5.6% | +8.4% | $5.1B |
| HS 8517Telecommunications equipment | $3.8B | 5.2% | +8.1% | $5.5B |
| HS 9804Low-value goods in simplified customs procedures | $3.3B | 4.5% | -7.5% | $4.9B |
| HS 8507Electric accumulators | $2.1B | 2.8% | +54.3% | $1.8B |
| HS 9401Seats and seat parts | $1.4B | 1.9% | +10.4% | $1.7B |
| HS 9403Furniture | $1.3B | 1.8% | +7.3% | $1.6B |
| HS 9503Toys and games | $1.2B | 1.7% | -0.4% | $1.5B |
| HS 8516Electric heaters and electro-thermic appliances | $1.1B | 1.5% | +6.5% | $1.4B |
| HS 9405Lamps and lighting fittings | $980M | 1.4% | -12.2% | $1.4B |
Top China Imports from United Kingdom
| HS chapter | Jan–Sep 2026 | Share | YoY | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS 84Machinery and mechanical appliances | $2.1B | 14.8% | +5.8% | $2.6B |
| HS 87Vehicles and parts | $2.0B | 14.1% | -19.5% | $3.2B |
| HS 90Optical, measuring and medical instruments | $1.4B | 10.0% | +9.4% | $1.8B |
| HS 33Essential oils and cosmetics | $1.1B | 7.9% | +12.8% | $1.3B |
| HS 74Copper | $975M | 6.9% | +53.5% | $900M |
| HS 85Electrical machinery and electronics | $930M | 6.6% | +8.3% | $1.2B |
| HS 30Pharmaceutical products | $719M | 5.1% | -1.3% | $990M |
| HS 71Precious stones, metals and jewellery | $556M | 4.0% | +181.1% | $313M |
| HS 76Aluminium | $504M | 3.6% | +20.4% | $588M |
| HS 22Beverages, spirits and vinegar | $399M | 2.8% | +32.4% | $410M |
Top HS4 products, Jan–Sep 2026
| HS4 product | Jan–Sep 2026 | Share | YoY | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS 8703Motor cars for transport of persons | $1.9B | 13.4% | -20.1% | $3.0B |
| HS 3304Beauty, make-up and skin-care preparations | $1.0B | 7.3% | +14.3% | $1.2B |
| HS 7404Copper waste and scrap | $956M | 6.8% | +55.5% | $872M |
| HS 8411Turbojets and gas turbines | $668M | 4.8% | +43.1% | $634M |
| HS 3004Medicaments for therapeutic use | $504M | 3.6% | -14.7% | $804M |
| HS 7602Aluminium waste and scrap | $467M | 3.3% | +21.5% | $542M |
| HS 7110Platinum and platinum-group metals | $453M | 3.2% | +231.2% | $229M |
| HS 2208Spirits, liqueurs and alcohol <80% ABV | $387M | 2.8% | +33.5% | $395M |
| HS 9031Other measuring and checking instruments | $351M | 2.5% | +23.4% | $396M |
| HS 9027Physical and chemical analysis instruments | $334M | 2.4% | -3.1% | $512M |
Fast-Growing China Export Products to United Kingdom
Jan–Sep 2026 vs Jan–Sep 2025 · USD · ranked by USD increase
348 products qualify
- 1 Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of <10 persons, incl. station wagons and racing cars, with both spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine and electric motor as motors for propulsion, capable of being charged by plugging to external source of electric power (excl. vehicles for travelling on snow and other specially designed vehicles of subheading 8703.10)HS 870360 Exports$3.1B Increase+$2.0B YoY+201%
- 2 Lithium-ion electric accumulatorsHS 850760 Exports$2.0B Increase+$721M YoY+57%
- 3 Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of <10 persons, incl. station wagons and racing cars, with both spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine and electric motor as motors for propulsion (excl. vehicles for travelling on snow, other specially designed vehicles of subheading 8703.10 and plug-in hybrids)HS 870340 Exports$957M Increase+$412M YoY+76%
- 4 Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons, incl. station wagons and racing cars, with spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine of a cylinder capacity >1500ml but ≤3000ml (excluding vehicles for the transport of persons on snow and other specially designed vehicles of subheading 8703.10)HS 870323 Exports$549M Increase+$286M YoY+109%
- 5 Structures and parts of structures, of iron or steel, n.e.s. (excluding bridges and bridge-sections, towers and lattice masts, doors and windows and their frames, thresholds for doors, props and similar equipment for scaffolding, shuttering, propping or pit-propping)HS 730890 Exports$544M Increase+$266M YoY+96%
- 6 Other television cameras, digital cameras and video camera recordersHS 852589 Exports$504M Increase+$212M YoY+73%
China–United Kingdom Annual Trade and Year-to-Date Totals
USD| Period | China exports | China imports | Total trade | China balance | Total vs prior period | Partner rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 YTD (Jan–Sep) | $72.8B | $14.1B | $86.9B | +$58.8B | +12.2% | No. 19 |
| 2025 (full year) | $85.1B | $18.7B | $103.8B | +$66.4B | +5.4% | No. 20 |
| 2024 (full year) | $78.9B | $19.6B | $98.5B | +$59.3B | +0.5% | No. 20 |
| 2023 (full year) | $77.9B | $20.1B | $98.0B | +$57.8B | -4.3% | No. 19 |
| 2022 (full year) | $80.6B | $21.8B | $102.4B | +$58.8B | -7.8% | No. 18 |
| 2021 (full year) | $85.4B | $25.7B | $111.1B | +$59.7B | +20.2% | No. 16 |
| 2020 (full year) | $72.6B | $19.9B | $92.4B | +$52.7B | +7.0% | No. 13 |
| 2019 (full year) | $62.4B | $23.9B | $86.4B | +$38.5B | +7.4% | No. 15 |
| 2018 (full year) | $56.5B | $23.9B | $80.4B | +$32.7B | — | No. 16 |
China Export Product Pages for United Kingdom
Selected HS6 product–country pages from official customs data. Open a page for its published values.
Official product name
Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of <10 persons, incl. station wagons and racing cars, with both spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine and electric motor as motors for propulsion, capable of being charged by plugging to external source of electric power (excl. vehicles for travelling on snow and other specially designed vehicles of subheading 8703.10)
About China–United Kingdom trade and frequently asked questions
What was China's trade with United Kingdom in Jan–Sep 2026?
In January–September 2026, China–United Kingdom goods trade totaled $86.9B: China exported $72.8B and imported $14.1B, a China trade surplus of $58.8B (+12.2% vs the same months of 2025). United Kingdom ranked No. 19 among China's trading partners.
What was China's trade with United Kingdom in 2025?
In 2025, China–United Kingdom goods trade totaled $103.8B: China exported $85.1B and imported $18.7B, a China trade surplus of $66.4B (+5.4% vs 2024). United Kingdom ranked No. 20 among China's trading partners.
What was China's trade with United Kingdom in 2024?
In 2024, China–United Kingdom goods trade totaled $98.5B: China exported $78.9B and imported $19.6B, a China trade surplus of $59.3B (+0.5% vs 2023). United Kingdom ranked No. 20 among China's trading partners.
What does China export to United Kingdom?
In January–September 2026, China's leading exports to United Kingdom by HS chapter were Electrical machinery and electronics (HS 85, $14.4B, 19.8% of the total); Machinery and mechanical appliances (HS 84, $10.6B, 14.6% of the total); Vehicles and parts (HS 87, $10.5B, 14.5% of the total). The largest HS4 products were Motor cars for transport of persons (HS 8703, $8.5B); Automatic data processing machines (HS 8471, $4.1B); Telecommunications equipment (HS 8517, $3.8B).
What does China export to United Kingdom in 2025?
In 2025, China's leading exports to United Kingdom by HS chapter were Electrical machinery and electronics (HS 85, $17.3B, 20.3% of the total); Machinery and mechanical appliances (HS 84, $12.2B, 14.3% of the total); Vehicles and parts (HS 87, $9.3B, 10.9% of the total). The largest HS4 products were Motor cars for transport of persons (HS 8703, $6.9B); Telecommunications equipment (HS 8517, $5.5B); Automatic data processing machines (HS 8471, $5.1B).
What does China import from United Kingdom?
In January–September 2026, China's leading imports from United Kingdom by HS chapter were Machinery and mechanical appliances (HS 84, $2.1B, 14.8% of the total); Vehicles and parts (HS 87, $2.0B, 14.1% of the total); Optical, measuring and medical instruments (HS 90, $1.4B, 10.0% of the total). The largest HS4 products were Motor cars for transport of persons (HS 8703, $1.9B); Beauty, make-up and skin-care preparations (HS 3304, $1.0B); Copper waste and scrap (HS 7404, $956M).
What is China’s trade balance with United Kingdom?
China's goods trade balance with United Kingdom was +$58.8B in January–September 2026, compared with +$49.2B in the same months of 2025. 2025: +$66.4B. A negative balance is a China trade deficit.
Where can I download China–United Kingdom trade data?
The public API exposes available monthly totals and HS chapter breakdowns. Choose supported HS6/HS8 products, years, trade direction and countries. Review available coverage and your one-time price before payment. Delivery timing is shown before checkout. For unsupported scopes, custom research or recurring updates, ask our team to confirm availability and any custom quote by email.
Source
Source
Source: China General Administration of Customs (GACC)
Citation
Citation
China United Kingdom bilateral trade data, monthly. General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC). https://chinadata.live/china-trade/united-kingdom/, accessed 2026-11-10.