That dollar amount results from a 23.8% increase from $2.067 trillion five years earlier during 2019.
Year over year, the overall cost of China’s imports retreated by -5.8% from $2.716 trillion in 2022.
Based on the average exchange rate for 2023, the Chinese yuan has depreciated by -2.5% against the US dollar since 2019 and decreased by -5.1% from 2022 to 2023. China’s weaker local currency makes China’s imports paid for in stronger US dollars relatively more expensive when converted starting from charges in Chinese yuan.
Domestically, China’s inflation rate for average consumer prices increased by 0.658% from 2022 to 2023–down from 1.878% one year earlier.
Mainland China’s biggest import products by value in 2023 were led by electronic integrated circuits and microassemblies, crude oil, iron ores and concentrates, gold, then petroleum gases. In aggregate, those major exports accounted for almost two-fifths (39%) of the China’s overall exports sales. That percentage suggests a relatively concentrated range of exported commodities.
China’s Top Imported Products Suppliers
The latest available country-specific data shows that 60% of products exported from China were bought by importers in: Taiwan (7.8% of the Chinese total), United States of America (6.5%), South Korea (6.3%), Japan (6.3%), Australia (6.1%), Russia (5%), Brazil (4.8%), Germany (4.2%), Malaysia (4%), Vietnam (3.6%), Indonesia (2.9%) and Saudi Arabia (2.5%).
From a continental perspective, 52.1% of mainland China’s total imports by value in 2023 were purchased from fellow Asian countries. European trade partners accounted for another 19.6% of imported goods bought by China.
Smaller percentage of overall Chinese imports came from suppliers in North America (9%), Latin America (8.8%) excluding Mexico but including the Caribbean, Australia and other Oceanian sources (6.1%), then Africa (4.3%).
Given China’s population of 1.41 billion people, its total $2.559 trillion in 2023 imports translates to roughly $1,800 in yearly product demand from every person in the juggernaut Asian economy. That per-capita average lags the $1,900 for 2022.
China’s Top 10 Imports
The following product groups represent the highest dollar value in China’s import purchases during 2023. Also shown is the percentage share each product category represents in terms of overall imports into China.
- Electrical machinery, equipment: US$550.4 billion (21.5% of total imports)
- Mineral fuels including oil: $514.4 billion (20.1%)
- Ores, slag, ash: $237.9 billion (9.3%)
- Machinery including computers: $197.8 billion (7.7%)
- Gems, precious metals: $114.2 billion (4.5%)
- Optical, technical, medical apparatus: $77.7 billion (3%)
- Vehicles: $70.7 billion (2.8%)
- Oil seeds: $69.8 billion (2.7%)
- Copper: $62.9 billion (2.5%)
- Plastics, plastic articles: $62 billion (2.4%)
China’s top 10 imports account for over three-quarters (76.5%) of the overall value of its product purchases from other countries.
Imported gems and precious metals posted the biggest increase among China’s top 10 import categories, up 10.1% from 2022 to 2023.
In second place were imported ores, slag and ash (up 5.9%). China’s increased purchases of imported copper ores and concentrates propelled that product category.
China’s imports of oil seeds went up 1.7% year over year.
The severest decliners among China’s top import categories were for plastics both as materials and items made from plastic (down -17.6% from 2022) then electrical machinery and equipment (down -14.6%).
Note that the results listed above are at the categorized two-digit Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) code level. For a more detailed view of imported goods at the four-digit HTS code level, see the sections below plus the section Searchable List of China’s Most Valuable Import Products further down near the bottom of this article or under the adjacent product category folder tabs.
China’s Top Imports of Electrical Products
In 2023, Chinese importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of electrical products including consumer electronics.
- Integrated circuits/microassemblies: US$350.8 billion (down -15.8% from 2022)
- Flat panel displays: $37.7 billion (down -5.3%)
- Solar power diodes/semi-conductors: $26.5 billion (down -18.7%)
- Phone system devices: $19.5 billion (down -17.1%)
- TV/radio/radar device parts: $18.9 billion (up 0.6%)
- Lower-voltage switches, fuses: $12 billion (down -20.3%)
- Electrical converters/power units: $11.4 billion (down -6%)
- Electrical capacitators: $9 billion (down -13.6%)
- Printed circuits: $8.1 billion (down -25%)
- Electrical/optical circuit boards, panels: $6 billion (down -7.5%)
Among these import subcategories, Chinese purchases of television, radio and radar device parts was the lone gainer via a 0.6% upturn from 2022 to 2023.
These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported electronics among Chinese businesses and consumers.
China’s Top Imports of Mineral Fuels and Related Products
In 2023, Chinese importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of mineral fuels-related products.
- Crude oil: US$336.5 billion (down -7.9% from 2022)
- Petroleum gases: $84.5 billion (down -6.9%)
- Coal, solid fuels made from coal: $41.4 billion (up 36.6%)
- Processed petroleum oils: $27.8 billion (up 41.6%)
- Lignite: $11.6 billion (down -6.2%)
- Asphalt/petroleum bitumen mixes: $5.3 billion (down -30.6%)
- Petroleum oil residues: $5.1 billion (down -20.7%)
- Coal tar oils (high temperature distillation): $1.6 billion (down -6.2%)
- Electrical energy: $196.7 million (down -32%)
- Petroleum jelly, mineral waxes: $120 million (up 2.8%)
Among these import subcategories, Chinese purchases of processed petroleum oils (up 41.6%), coal including solid fuels made from coal (up 36.6%) then petroleum jelly and mineral waxes (up 2.8%) grew from 2022 to 2023.
These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported fossil fuel among Chinese businesses and consumers.
China’s Top Imports of Ores, Slag or Ash
In 2023, Chinese importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of ores, slag or ash.
- Iron ores, concentrates: US$133.8 billion (up 4.4% from 2022)
- Copper ores, concentrates: $60.7 billion (up 7.7%)
- Precious metal ores, concentrates: $9.5 billion (up 44.2%)
- Aluminum ores, concentrates: $8.6 billion (up 16.9%)
- Chromium ores, concentrates: $5 billion (up 43.7%)
- Manganese ores, concentrates: $4.9 billion (down -14.2%)
- Zinc ores, concentrates: $4 billion (down -15.8%)
- Nickel ores, concentrates: $3.5 billion (down -22.1%)
- Lead ores, concentrates: $1.7 billion (up 16.2%)
- Niobium/zirconium ores, concentrates: $1.6 billion (down -0.5%)
Among these import subcategories, Chinese purchases of precious metal ores and concentrates (up 44.2%), chromium ores and concentrates: (up 43.7%) then aluminum ores and concentrates (up 16.9%) grew at the fastest pace from 2022 to 2023.
These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported ores and concentrates among Chinese businesses and consumers.
China’s Top Imports of Machinery Including Computers
In 2023, Chinese importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of machines including computers.
- Machinery for making semi-conductors: US$39.6 billion (up 14.1% from 2022)
- Computers, optical readers: $35.8 billion (up 3.6%)
- Computer parts, accessories: $15.1 billion (down -33.1%)
- Miscellaneous machinery: $11.3 billion (down -13%)
- Turbo-jets: $11 billion (up 32.4%)
- Taps, valves, similar appliances: $9.2 billion (down -4.5%)
- Air or vacuum pumps: $6 billion (down -4%)
- Centrifuges, filters and purifiers: $5.7 billion (down -3.6%)
- Printing machinery: $5.5 billion (down -11.2%)
- Transmission shafts, gears, clutches: $5.3 billion (down -9.2%)
Among these import subcategories, Chinese purchases of turbo-jets (up 32.4%), machinery for making semi-conductors (up 14.1%) then computers including optical readers (up 3.6%) grew from 2022 to 2023.
These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported machinery among Chinese businesses and consumers.
Searchable List of China’s Most Valuable Import Products
The following searchable table displays 100 of China’s most in-demand imported goods during 2023. Shown beside each product label is its total import value then the percentage increase or decrease since 2022.
| Rank | China's Import Product | Value (US$) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Integrated circuits/microassemblies | $350,811,903,000 | -15.8% |
| 2 | Crude oil | $336,481,110,000 | -7.9% |
| 3 | Iron ores, concentrates | $133,756,306,000 | +4.4% |
| 4 | Gold (unwrought) | $92,129,213,000 | +20.2% |
| 5 | Petroleum gases | $84,483,169,000 | -6.9% |
| 6 | Copper ores, concentrates | $60,671,040,000 | +7.7% |
| 7 | Soya beans | $60,462,803,000 | -1.3% |
| 8 | Cars | $45,940,704,000 | -12.1% |
| 9 | Coal, solid fuels made from coal | $41,356,320,000 | +36.6% |
| 10 | Machinery for making semi-conductors | $39,603,519,000 | +14.1% |
| 11 | Flat panel displays | $37,695,179,000 | -5.3% |
| 12 | Computers, optical readers | $35,798,527,000 | +3.6% |
| 13 | Refined copper, unwrought alloys | $34,211,112,000 | -7.8% |
| 14 | Processed petroleum oils | $27,767,520,000 | +41.6% |
| 15 | Solar power diodes/semi-conductors | $26,450,919,000 | -18.7% |
| 16 | Medication mixes in dosage | $24,072,631,000 | +6.9% |
| 17 | Iron ferroalloys | $22,446,857,000 | +10% |
| 18 | Automobile parts/accessories | $21,478,360,000 | -14.9% |
| 19 | Ethylene polymers | $19,778,592,000 | -14.7% |
| 20 | Phone devices including smartphones | $19,529,229,000 | -17.1% |
| 21 | TV/radio/radar device parts | $18,872,830,000 | +0.6% |
| 22 | Chemical woodpulp (non-dissolving) | $17,876,100,000 | +7.2% |
| 23 | Blood fractions (including antisera) | $16,874,030,000 | +11.2% |
| 24 | Vermiculite, perlite, other mineral substances | $15,825,802,000 | +71.9% |
| 25 | Computer parts, accessories | $15,137,191,000 | -33.1% |
| 26 | Other measuring/testing machines | $15,033,600,000 | -2.1% |
| 27 | Copper waste, scrap | $14,504,585,000 | +6.2% |
| 28 | Beauty/makeup/skin care preparations | $14,430,329,000 | -19.9% |
| 29 | Cyclic hydrocarbons | $14,187,701,000 | -18.5% |
| 30 | Frozen beef | $13,479,074,000 | -21.1% |
| 31 | Lower-voltage switches, fuses | $11,966,709,000 | -20.3% |
| 32 | Electro-medical equip (e.g. xrays) | $11,679,247,000 | -3.3% |
| 33 | Lignite | $11,568,450,000 | -6.2% |
| 34 | Electrical converters/power units | $11,435,305,000 | -6% |
| 35 | Miscellaneous machinery | $11,253,375,000 | -13% |
| 36 | Turbo-jets | $10,966,721,000 | +32.4% |
| 37 | Physical/chemical analysis tools | $9,825,739,000 | -8% |
| 38 | Acyclic alcohols | $9,674,692,000 | -13.8% |
| 39 | Crustaceans (including lobsters) | $9,567,253,000 | +0.02% |
| 40 | Precious metal ores, concentrates | $9,515,482,000 | +44.2% |
| 41 | Taps, valves, similar appliances | $9,170,661,000 | -4.5% |
| 42 | Corn | $9,019,734,000 | +27% |
| 43 | Electrical capacitators | $8,965,895,000 | -13.6% |
| 44 | Aluminum ores, concentrates | $8,626,516,000 | +16.9% |
| 45 | Unrefined copper | $8,527,726,000 | -17.5% |
| 46 | Aircraft, spacecraft | $8,395,942,000 | -0.7% |
| 47 | Miscellaneous fruits (fresh) | $8,337,111,000 | +36.6% |
| 48 | Synthetic rubber | $8,123,152,000 | -9% |
| 49 | Printed circuits | $8,060,070,000 | -25% |
| 50 | Nickel matte, oxide sinters | $7,717,466,000 | +11.2% |
| 51 | Polyacetal/ether/carbonates | $6,969,491,000 | -28.9% |
| 52 | Acyclic hydrocarbons | $6,952,643,000 | -2% |
| 53 | Sawn wood | $6,826,538,000 | -9.3% |
| 54 | Carbonates, percarbonates | $6,624,733,000 | -3.9% |
| 55 | Chemical industry products/residuals | $6,556,194,000 | -9.8% |
| 56 | Platinum (unwrought) | $6,399,016,000 | -16.4% |
| 57 | Plastic plates, sheets, film, tape, strips | $6,359,635,000 | -9.2% |
| 58 | Optical fiber cables, sheets, plates | $6,239,818,000 | -20.8% |
| 59 | Rough wood | $6,047,897,000 | -29.1% |
| 60 | Aluminum (unwrought) | $6,002,386,000 | +25% |
| 61 | Cases, handbags, wallets | $5,997,418,000 | +9.6% |
| 62 | Electrical/optical circuit boards, panels | $5,994,309,000 | -7.5% |
| 63 | Diamonds (unmounted/unset) | $5,972,060,000 | -29.5% |
| 64 | Air or vacuum pumps | $5,961,853,000 | -4% |
| 65 | Other diagnostic/lab reagents | $5,825,094,000 | +4.1% |
| 66 | Centrifuges, filters and purifiers | $5,710,655,000 | -3.6% |
| 67 | Electrical machinery | $5,566,119,000 | -14.9% |
| 68 | Printing machinery | $5,512,438,000 | -11.2% |
| 69 | Other food preparations | $5,439,277,000 | +15.5% |
| 70 | Asphalt/petroleum bitumen mixes | $5,324,107,000 | -30.6% |
| 71 | Transmission shafts, gears, clutches | $5,310,509,000 | -9.2% |
| 72 | Jewelry | $5,291,577,000 | +24.9% |
| 73 | Insulated wire/cable | $5,261,090,000 | -15.8% |
| 74 | Propylene/olefin polymers | $5,254,781,000 | -20% |
| 75 | Regulate/control instruments | $5,156,043,000 | -7.7% |
| 76 | Petroleum oil residues | $5,142,515,000 | -20.7% |
| 77 | Palm oil | $5,099,637,000 | -12.7% |
| 78 | Chromium ores, concentrates | $5,039,038,000 | +43.7% |
| 79 | Flour/meal/starch/malt extract food preparations | $4,945,022,000 | -5.3% |
| 80 | Manganese ores, concentrates | $4,934,229,000 | -14.2% |
| 81 | Whole fish (frozen) | $4,798,282,000 | -6% |
| 82 | Potassic fertilizers | $4,747,695,000 | +9.9% |
| 83 | Inorganic acid salts | $4,714,770,000 | -0% |
| 84 | Liquid pumps and elevators | $4,624,368,000 | -10.1% |
| 85 | Unrecorded sound media | $4,603,973,000 | -11.1% |
| 86 | Orthopedic appliances | $4,438,916,000 | +13% |
| 87 | Wheat | $4,305,313,000 | +13.9% |
| 88 | X-ray equipment | $4,222,256,000 | +1.7% |
| 89 | Poultry meat | $4,171,248,000 | +0.1% |
| 90 | Cotton (uncarded, uncombed) | $4,162,354,000 | -20.5% |
| 91 | Yarn (85%+ cotton) | $4,067,308,000 | +19.5% |
| 92 | Zinc ores, concentrates | $4,019,391,000 | -15.8% |
| 93 | Electric circuit parts, fuses, switches | $3,989,107,000 | -7.6% |
| 94 | Oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers | $3,984,750,000 | -11% |
| 95 | Electric motors, generators | $3,979,530,000 | -8.7% |
| 96 | Temperature-change machines | $3,906,069,000 | +36.6% |
| 97 | Ball, roller bearings | $3,772,965,000 | -16% |
| 98 | Chemical woodpulp (dissolving) | $3,772,862,000 | +5.9% |
| 99 | Barley | $3,770,443,000 | +83.7% |
| 100 | Rubber/plastic article making machines | $3,735,841,000 | +17.5% |
These 100 imported goods were worth a subtotal of US$2.099 trillion or 82% by value for all products imported into mainland China during 2023.
See also China’s Top 10 Exports, China’s Top Trading Partners, Top Chinese Trade Balances and China’s Top 10 Major Export Companies
Research Sources:
Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook Country Profiles, Central Intelligence Agency. Accessed on March 19, 2024
International Monetary Fund, Exchange Rates selected indicators (National Currency per U.S. dollar, period average). Accessed on March 19, 2024
International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook Database (GDP based on Purchasing Power Parity). Accessed on March 19, 2024
International Trade Centre, Trade Map. Accessed on March 19, 2024