China's Imports Rise 23.6% to $2.82 Trillion, Outpacing Export Growth
China's imports rose 23.6 percent year on year to 18.82 trillion yuan (approximately $2.82 trillion) in the first ten months of 2026, according to data released by the General Administration of Customs on November 10.
During the same period, exports increased by 17.6 percent to 25.99 trillion yuan. Import growth therefore exceeded export growth by six percentage points.
Customs data showed that import volumes of iron ore and aluminum ore increased by 3.1 percent and 13.2 percent, respectively. Imports of mechanical and electrical products totaled 8.17 trillion yuan (around $1.22 trillion).
Lyu Daliang, director of the Department of Statistics and Analysis at the General Administration of Customs, said imports from more than 150 countries and regions recorded growth. Imports from ASEAN, Latin America and Africa reached record levels for the corresponding period.
He noted that an increasing number of international companies are finding opportunities to expand their sales in the Chinese market.
One platform for promoting foreign products was the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE), held in Shanghai from November 5 to 10. The event attracted 4,142 overseas exhibitors, including more than 300 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders.
More than 480 products made their global, Asian or Chinese debuts at the exhibition, setting a new record for the event.
As reported by SSTV+, faster import growth has been one of the notable features of China's foreign trade in 2026.
