What happened
China’s goods imports and exports reached 34.78 trillion yuan in the first eight months of 2026, up 17.6% year over year, according to data from the General Administration of Customs.
Exports rose 14.6% to 20.17 trillion yuan, while imports increased 22% to 14.61 trillion yuan. In August alone, total goods trade reached 4.65 trillion yuan, an increase of 19.8% from a year earlier.
Import growth has now exceeded export growth for six consecutive months, while both sides of the trade ledger have posted double-digit growth for four straight months.
China’s trade growth is also becoming more diversified geographically. Trade with ASEAN rose 20.6% in the January-August period, while trade with Belt and Road partner countries increased 15.9%.
For Latin America, the customs figures are particularly relevant: China’s trade with the region expanded 14.5% during the period. Trade with the United States totaled 2.76 trillion yuan and increased 1.3% year over year.
Why it matters
The composition of China’s trade is shifting toward higher-value manufactured goods and technology.
Exports of mechanical and electrical products increased 21.9% to 12.91 trillion yuan, accounting for roughly 64% of total exports. Imports of mechanical and electrical products increased 31.6%.
For freight forwarders, customs brokers and importers, continued growth in both directions means more than stronger Chinese exports. Faster import growth and expanding trade with ASEAN, Latin America and other emerging markets point to increasingly multidirectional supply chains.
What to watch next
September data will show whether the pace can continue after several months of double-digit expansion.
The performance of semiconductor products, automotive exports, ASEAN trade and China-Latin America flows will be important indicators for logistics and cross-border operators.
Source: General Administration of Customs / Government of China
George Muniz
Performance Marketing for Global TradeFounder of 3C Waypoint and principal editor focused on the intersection of global trade, business positioning, customer acquisition and performance marketing for companies operating across international trade.
