Merchandise imports by the reporting economy in China
China: Merchandise imports by the reporting economy was 2.46 trillion current US$ in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Merchandise imports by the reporting economy in China, 1961–2023
Source: Staff estimates, World Bank (WB). Measured in current US$.
Analysis
China recorded 2.46 trillion current US$ for merchandise imports by the reporting economy in 2023.
The figure is down 5.2% on the previous year and up 38.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, merchandise imports by the reporting economy in China peaked at 2.59 trillion current US$ in 2022 and was at its lowest, 657.90 million current US$, in 1961.
China ranks 2nd of 204 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 657.90 million current US$ | 657.90 million current US$ | 657.90 million current US$ | 1 |
| 1970s | 11.84 billion current US$ | 9.52 billion current US$ | 14.16 billion current US$ | 2 |
| 1980s | 32.36 billion current US$ | 17.73 billion current US$ | 53.11 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 1990s | 110.73 billion current US$ | 50.38 billion current US$ | 161.57 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 2000s | 579.33 billion current US$ | 217.55 billion current US$ | 1.04 trillion current US$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.66 trillion current US$ | 1.27 trillion current US$ | 1.99 trillion current US$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.37 trillion current US$ | 1.93 trillion current US$ | 2.59 trillion current US$ | 4 |
Countries ranked near China
- 1 United States 3.08 trillion current US$ compare
- 3 Germany 1.47 trillion current US$ compare
- 4 Netherlands 838.01 billion current US$ compare
- 5 Japan 785.51 billion current US$ compare
More private sector data for China
- Merchandise trade 32.6% (2025)
- Food imports 8.1% (2024)
- Manufactures imports 49.3% (2024)
- Merchandise imports 2.58 trillion current US$ (2025)
- Food exports 2.4% (2024)
- Manufactures exports 91.2% (2024)
- Merchandise exports 3.77 trillion current US$ (2025)
- Commercial service exports 383.15 billion current US$ (2025)
- Transport services 17.9% (2025)
- Computer, communications and other services 38.1% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is merchandise imports by the reporting economy in China?
- Merchandise imports by the reporting economy in China was 2.46 trillion current US$ in 2023, according to Staff estimates, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest merchandise imports by the reporting economy recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 2.59 trillion current US$ in 2022.
- What is the lowest merchandise imports by the reporting economy recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 657.90 million current US$ in 1961.
- How does China rank for merchandise imports by the reporting economy?
- China ranks 2nd out of 204 countries with data for 2023.
- Is merchandise imports by the reporting economy rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 38.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from Staff estimates, World Bank (WB), published as part of Merchandise imports by the reporting economy (current US$). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Merchandise imports by the reporting economy are the total merchandise imports by the reporting economy from the rest of the world, as reported in the IMF's Direction of trade database. Data are in current U.S. dollars.