China Trade Data 2026: Exports, Imports & Surplus
Monthly exports, imports, and trade balance — based on GACC customs statistics. Source: China General Administration of Customs.
Exports reached $376.8B, imports held at $271.4B, and Jan-May 2026 trade climbed to $2.98T (+19.2% YoY), based on official GACC customs data.
Monthly Trade Summary (2026)
| Month | Exports ($B) | Imports ($B) | Surplus ($B) | Total Trade YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 357 | 234 | 122 | +15.7% |
| February | 300 | 209 | 91 | +27.7% |
| March | 321 | 270 | 51 | +12.7% |
| April | 359 | 275 | 85 | +18.7% |
| May | 377 | 271 | 105 | +22.6% |
📊 May 2026: Exports Hit $376.8B, Surplus Widens Above $100B
China's total goods trade reached $648.1 billion in May 2026, the highest monthly reading so far this year. Exports rose to $376.8 billion while imports eased slightly to $271.4 billion, widening the monthly trade surplus to $105.4 billion. Versus April, total trade increased 2.2% and exports rose 4.8%, while imports slipped 1.2%.
The bigger story is cumulative: Jan-May trade reached $2.98 trillion (+19.2% YoY), with exports at $1.71T (+15.5%) and imports at $1.26T (+24.5%). That mix suggests May's stronger surplus came from export acceleration rather than a collapse in import demand. For the full series, see the China monthly trade dataset and the country trade hub.
Read Full May 2026 Analysis →📊 April 2026 Archive: Surplus Rebounded to $84.8B
China's trade surplus rebounded sharply to $84.8 billion in April 2026, as exports climbed to $359B (+14.1% YoY) while imports held at $275B (+25.3% YoY). The export surge was driven by strong ASEAN demand and continued semiconductor front-loading ahead of anticipated US export controls.
On a year-to-date basis, China's total trade reached $2.32 trillion through April 2026 (+18.2% YoY), with exports at $1.34T and imports at $0.99T.
Read Full April 2026 Analysis →📊 March 2026 Archive: Tariff Shockwaves Bite
China's trade surplus narrowed 44% to $51 billion in March 2026, as the front-loading effect that inflated Q1 exports began to reverse. Exports remained strong at $321B, but imports surged to $270B as tariff deadlines approached.
Key developments: 90% collapse in China-Iran trade, 50% surge in China-Japan trade, and a record semiconductor import wave.
Read Full March 2026 Analysis →🔗 Related Resources
Data source: China General Administration of Customs (GACC) Monthly Statistics Bulletin.