That dollar amount results from a 25.8% increase from $2.057 trillion five years earlier during 2020.
Year over year, the overall cost of China’s imports slowed to a 1.1% gain from $2.559 trillion in 2023.
Based on the average exchange rate for 2024, the Chinese yuan renminbi has depreciated by -1.7% against the US dollar from 2023 to 2024. 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 renminbi.
Domestically, China’s inflation rate for average consumer prices increased by 0.422% from 2023 to 2024–up from 0.228% one year earlier.
Mainland China’s biggest import products by value in 2024 were led by electronic integrated circuits and microassemblies, crude oil, iron ores and concentrates, unwrought gold then petroleum gases. In aggregate, those major exports accounted for two-fifths (40%) 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 59.6% of products imported into China were furnished by exporters in: Taiwan (8.4% of the global total), South Korea (7%), United States of America (6.4%), Japan (6%), Australia (5.5%), Russia (5%), Brazil (4.5%), Malaysia (4.3%), Vietnam (3.8%), Germany (3.7%), Indonesia (2.8%) and Saudi Arabia (2.2%).
From a continental perspective, 53% of mainland China’s total imports by value in 2024 were purchased from fellow Asian countries. European trade partners accounted for another 18.9% of imported goods bought by China.
Smaller percentage of overall Chinese imports came from suppliers in North America (8.9%), Latin America (8.6%) excluding Mexico but including the Caribbean, Australia and other Oceanian sources (6.1%), then providers in Africa (4.5%).
Given China’s population of 1.41 billion people, its total $2.587 trillion in 2024 imports translates to roughly $1,850 in yearly product demand from every person in the juggernaut Asian economy. That per-capita average outpaces the $1,800 for 2023.
China’s Top 10 Imports
The following product groups represent the highest dollar value in China’s import purchases during 2024. Also shown is the percentage share each product category represents in terms of overall imports into China.
- Electrical machinery, equipment: US$585 billion (22.6% of total imports)
- Mineral fuels including oil: $503.4 billion (19.5%)
- Ores, slag, ash: $251.5 billion (9.7%)
- Machinery including computers: $229.5 billion (8.9%)
- Gems, precious metals: $118.8 billion (4.6%)
- Optical, technical, medical apparatus: $75 billion (2.9%)
- Copper: $72.8 billion (2.8%)
- Vehicles: $62.3 billion (2.4%)
- Oil seeds: $61.6 billion (2.4%)
- Plastics, plastic articles: $61.1 billion (2.4%)
China’s top 10 import categories accounted for over three-quarters (78.1%) of the overall value of its product purchases from other countries.
Imported machinery including computers posted the biggest increase among China’s top 10 import categories, up 16.1% from 2023 to 2024.
In second place was imported copper (up 15.7%).
China’s imports of electrical machinery and equipment went up 6.3% year over year.
The severest decliners among China’s top import categories were for imported vehicles (down -11.9% from 2023) then imports of oil seeds (down -11.7%).
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.
China’s Top Imports of Electrical Products
In 2024, Chinese importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of electrical products including consumer electronics.
- Integrated circuits/microassemblies: US$386.7 billion (up 10.2% from 2023)
- Flat panel displays: $39.9 billion (up 6%)
- Solar power diodes/semi-conductors: $26.7 billion (up 0.9%)
- Phone devices including smartphones: $20.5 billion (up 5%)
- TV/radio/radar device parts: $18.4 billion (down -2.4%)
- Lower-voltage switches, fuses: $11.9 billion (down -0.7%)
- Electrical converters/power units: $10.3 billion (down -10.3%)
- Electrical capacitators: $8.9 billion (down -0.6%)
- Printed circuits: $7.7 billion (down -4.9%)
- Electrical/optical circuit boards, panels: $5.6 billion (down -7.3%)
Among these import subcategories, Chinese purchases of electronic integrated circuits and microassemblies (up 10.2%), flat panel displays (up 6%) then phone devices including smartphones (up 5%) grew at the fastest pace from 2023 to 2024.
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 2024, Chinese importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of mineral fuels-related products.
- Crude oil: US$324.6 billion (down -3.5% from 2023)
- Petroleum gases: $88.1 billion (up 4.3%)
- Coal, solid fuels made from coal: $40.5 billion (down -2%)
- Processed petroleum oils: $29.3 billion (up 5.5%)
- Lignite: $11.6 billion (up 0.02%)
- Asphalt/petroleum bitumen mixes: $3.6 billion (down -32.8%)
- Petroleum oil residues: $3.5 billion (down -31.1%)
- Coal tar oils (high temperature distillation): $1.6 billion (down -4.5%)
- Petroleum jelly, mineral waxes: $148 million (up 23.4%)
- Peat: $146.6 million (up 26.7%)
Among these import subcategories, Chinese purchases of peat (up 26.7%), petroleum jelly and mineral waxes (up 23.4%) then processed petroleum oils (up 5.5%) grew at the fastest pace from 2023 to 2024.
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 2024, Chinese importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of ores, slag or ash.
- Iron ores, concentrates: US$133.2 billion (down -0.4% from 2023)
- Copper ores, concentrates: $67.5 billion (up 11.2%)
- Precious metal ores, concentrates: $14.1 billion (up 47.8%)
- Aluminum ores, concentrates: $10.6 billion (up 22.3%)
- Chromium ores, concentrates: $6 billion (up 19.4%)
- Manganese ores, concentrates: $4.4 billion (down -10.7%)
- Zinc ores, concentrates: $4.3 billion (up 8.1%)
- Nickel ores, concentrates: $2.7 billion (down -23.4%)
- Lead ores, concentrates: $2 billion (up 21.6%)
- Niobium/zirconium ores, concentrates: $1.7 billion (up 5.2%)
Among these import subcategories, Chinese purchases of precious metal ores and concentrates (up 47.8%), aluminum ores or concentrates (up 22.3%) then lead ores or concentrates (up 21.6%) grew at the fastest pace from 2023 to 2024.
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 2024, Chinese importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of machines including computers.
- Computers, optical readers: US$56.5 billion (up 57.9% from 2023)
- Machinery for making semi-conductors: $47.1 billion (up 18.9%)
- Computer parts, accessories: $23.1 billion (up 52.5%)
- Turbo-jets: $12.6 billion (up 15.3%)
- Miscellaneous machinery: $9.4 billion (down -16.6%)
- Taps, valves, similar appliances: $9.3 billion (up 1.9%)
- Air or vacuum pumps: $5.7 billion (down -4.7%)
- Centrifuges, filters and purifiers: $5.5 billion (down -3.5%)
- Printing machinery: $5.4 billion (down -1.3%)
- Transmission shafts, gears, clutches: $5.2 billion (down -1.4%)
Among these import subcategories, Chinese purchases of computers and optical readers (up 57.9%), computer parts or accessories (up 52.5%) then machinery for making semi-conductors (up 18.9%) grew at the fastest pace from 2023 to 2024.
These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported machinery among Chinese businesses and consumers.
Searchable List of China’s Most Valuable Import Products
The following searchable table displays 100 of China’s most in-demand imported goods during 2024. Shown beside each product label is its total import value then the percentage increase or decrease since 2023.
| Rank | China's Import Product | Value (US$) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Integrated circuits/microassemblies | $386,682,696,000 | +10.2% |
| 2 | Crude oil | $324,627,985,000 | -3.5% |
| 3 | Iron ores, concentrates | $133,226,590,000 | -0.4% |
| 4 | Gold (unwrought) | $102,861,254,000 | +11.6% |
| 5 | Petroleum gases | $88,080,218,000 | +4.3% |
| 6 | Copper ores, concentrates | $67,454,437,000 | +11.2% |
| 7 | Computers, optical readers | $56,510,316,000 | +57.9% |
| 8 | Soya beans | $52,822,355,000 | -12.6% |
| 9 | Machinery for making semi-conductors | $47,070,869,000 | +18.9% |
| 10 | Coal, solid fuels made from coal | $40,534,510,000 | -2% |
| 11 | Refined copper, unwrought alloys | $40,302,515,000 | +17.8% |
| 12 | Flat panel displays | $39,943,635,000 | +6% |
| 13 | Cars | $38,260,315,000 | -16.7% |
| 14 | Processed petroleum oils | $29,288,943,000 | +5.5% |
| 15 | Solar power diodes/semi-conductors | $26,685,721,000 | +0.9% |
| 16 | Computer parts, accessories | $23,086,968,000 | +52.5% |
| 17 | Medication mixes in dosage | $22,513,946,000 | -6.5% |
| 18 | Automobile parts/accessories | $21,161,648,000 | -1.5% |
| 19 | Phone devices including smartphones | $20,512,859,000 | +5% |
| 20 | Iron ferroalloys | $20,246,710,000 | -9.8% |
| 21 | Ethylene polymers | $18,472,358,000 | -6.6% |
| 22 | TV/radio/radar device parts | $18,413,482,000 | -2.4% |
| 23 | Copper waste, scrap | $17,941,245,000 | +23.7% |
| 24 | Vermiculite, perlite, other mineral substances | $17,744,241,000 | +5.2% |
| 25 | Chemical woodpulp (non-dissolving) | $16,670,791,000 | -6.7% |
| 26 | Other measuring/testing machines | $15,207,927,000 | +1.2% |
| 27 | Cyclic hydrocarbons | $14,609,572,000 | +3% |
| 28 | Precious metal ores, concentrates | $14,064,341,000 | +47.8% |
| 29 | Beauty/makeup/skin care preparations | $13,023,165,000 | -9.8% |
| 30 | Frozen beef | $12,890,692,000 | -4.4% |
| 31 | Turbo-jets | $12,646,253,000 | +15.3% |
| 32 | Lower-voltage switches, fuses | $11,880,885,000 | -0.7% |
| 33 | Lignite | $11,570,215,000 | +0.02% |
| 34 | Electro-medical equip (e.g. xrays) | $11,216,450,000 | -4% |
| 35 | Aluminum ores, concentrates | $10,550,905,000 | +22.3% |
| 36 | Electrical converters/power units | $10,255,803,000 | -10.3% |
| 37 | Acyclic alcohols | $9,469,799,000 | -2.1% |
| 38 | Miscellaneous machinery | $9,390,519,000 | -16.6% |
| 39 | Taps, valves, similar appliances | $9,341,194,000 | +1.9% |
| 40 | Aircraft, spacecraft | $9,209,842,000 | +9.7% |
| 41 | Crustaceans (including lobsters) | $9,078,449,000 | -5.1% |
| 42 | Miscellaneous fruits (fresh) | $8,944,400,000 | +7.3% |
| 43 | Electrical capacitators | $8,914,909,000 | -0.6% |
| 44 | Synthetic rubber | $8,908,231,000 | +9.7% |
| 45 | Unrefined copper | $8,413,992,000 | -1.3% |
| 46 | Physical/chemical analysis tools | $8,003,836,000 | -18.5% |
| 47 | Aluminum (unwrought) | $7,979,670,000 | +32.9% |
| 48 | Nickel matte, oxide sinters | $7,789,352,000 | +0.9% |
| 49 | Printed circuits | $7,666,436,000 | -4.9% |
| 50 | Acyclic hydrocarbons | $7,236,222,000 | +4.1% |
| 51 | Polyacetal/ether/carbonates | $7,080,729,000 | +1.6% |
| 52 | Chemical industry products/residuals | $6,883,547,000 | +5% |
| 53 | Sawn wood | $6,860,796,000 | +0.5% |
| 54 | Plastic plates, sheets, film, tape, strips | $6,600,088,000 | +3.8% |
| 55 | Other food preparations | $6,301,110,000 | +15.8% |
| 56 | Optical fiber cables, sheets, plates | $6,215,611,000 | -0.4% |
| 57 | Rough wood | $6,159,822,000 | +1.9% |
| 58 | Chromium ores, concentrates | $6,014,739,000 | +19.4% |
| 59 | Other diagnostic/lab reagents | $5,760,199,000 | -1.1% |
| 60 | Air or vacuum pumps | $5,684,024,000 | -4.7% |
| 61 | Cases, handbags, wallets | $5,596,164,000 | -6.7% |
| 62 | Electrical/optical circuit boards, panels | $5,555,517,000 | -7.3% |
| 63 | Platinum (unwrought) | $5,555,461,000 | -13.2% |
| 64 | Centrifuges, filters and purifiers | $5,508,682,000 | -3.5% |
| 65 | Printing machinery | $5,442,111,000 | -1.3% |
| 66 | Cotton (uncarded, uncombed) | $5,317,976,000 | +27.8% |
| 67 | Transmission shafts, gears, clutches | $5,234,706,000 | -1.4% |
| 68 | Miscellaneous mineral substances like perlite | $5,207,089,000 | -67.1% |
| 69 | Regulate/control instruments | $5,127,450,000 | -0.6% |
| 70 | Insulated wire/cable | $5,001,156,000 | -4.9% |
| 71 | Unrecorded sound media | $4,965,285,000 | +7.8% |
| 72 | Propylene/olefin polymers | $4,943,320,000 | -5.9% |
| 73 | Electrical machinery | $4,837,089,000 | -13.1% |
| 74 | Whole fish (frozen) | $4,732,090,000 | -1.4% |
| 75 | Flour/meal/starch/malt extract food preparations | $4,608,665,000 | -6.8% |
| 76 | Orthopedic appliances | $4,539,333,000 | +2.3% |
| 77 | Manganese ores, concentrates | $4,405,446,000 | -10.7% |
| 78 | Liquid pumps and elevators | $4,370,585,000 | -5.5% |
| 79 | Zinc ores, concentrates | $4,346,009,000 | +8.1% |
| 80 | Apricots, cherries, peaches, nectarines, plums | $4,026,226,000 | +35.5% |
| 81 | Electric motors, generators | $3,977,819,000 | -0.04% |
| 82 | Natural rubber | $3,956,930,000 | +10.8% |
| 83 | Diamonds (unmounted/unset) | $3,950,403,000 | -33.9% |
| 84 | Chemical woodpulp (dissolving) | $3,901,120,000 | +3.4% |
| 85 | Lenses, prisms, mirrors | $3,802,770,000 | +14.7% |
| 86 | Potassic fertilizers | $3,796,972,000 | -20% |
| 87 | Barley | $3,790,185,000 | +0.5% |
| 88 | Corn | $3,785,826,000 | -58% |
| 89 | Temperature-change machines | $3,710,659,000 | -5% |
| 90 | Aluminum waste, scrap | $3,694,245,000 | +7.2% |
| 91 | Oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers | $3,639,304,000 | -8.7% |
| 92 | Miscellaneous plastic items | $3,577,786,000 | -0.4% |
| 93 | Asphalt/petroleum bitumen mixes | $3,575,431,000 | -32.8% |
| 94 | Petroleum oil residues | $3,542,647,000 | -31.1% |
| 95 | Jewelry | $3,531,644,000 | -33.3% |
| 96 | Inedible meat flour | $3,528,097,000 | +2.6% |
| 97 | Ball, roller bearings | $3,519,489,000 | -6.7% |
| 98 | Wheat | $3,481,458,000 | -19.1% |
| 99 | X-ray equipment | $3,480,559,000 | -17.6% |
| 100 | Rape/colza seeds | $3,438,381,000 | -7.6% |
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 2024.
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 February 16, 2025
International Monetary Fund, Exchange Rates selected indicators (National Currency per U.S. dollar, period average). Accessed on February 16, 2025
International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook Database (GDP based on Purchasing Power Parity). Accessed on February 16, 2025
International Trade Centre, Trade Map. Accessed on February 16, 2025