China's customs authority reported at a State Council Information Office press conference on October 14 that goods trade imports and exports totaled 39.94 trillion yuan in the first three quarters of 2026, an increase of 18.8% year on year.
Exports reached 23.2 trillion yuan, up 16.4%, while imports came to 16.74 trillion yuan, up 22.3%. Growth accelerated through the year, with trade up 15.3% in the first quarter, 18.3% in the second and 22.3% in the third. Monthly trade has maintained double-digit growth for six consecutive months, and in September total trade exceeded 5 trillion yuan for the first time, reaching 5.16 trillion yuan, up 27.5%. September exports hit 3.03 trillion yuan, up 29.6%, and imports stood at 2.13 trillion yuan, up 24.6%.
Market diversification continued to firm up. China recorded growth in trade with more than 180 countries and regions. Trade with free trade partner countries reached 19.55 trillion yuan, up 30%, contributing more than 70% of the total increase in foreign trade. Trade with other APEC economies reached 24.07 trillion yuan, up 23.9%. Trade with the ASEAN rose 22.7% to 6.84 trillion yuan, trade with the European Union increased 8.4% to 4.78 trillion yuan, and trade with the United States recovered to 3.18 trillion yuan, up 4.1%.
Export momentum continued to shift toward higher value and greener products. Equipment manufacturing contributed nearly 90% of the export increment, with intermediate goods accounting for more than half of total export value, reinforcing China's role as a supply chain anchor. Integrated circuit exports grew 99.1%, while electric vehicles, lithium batteries and wind turbine components rose 72.3%, 36.4% and 22.4% respectively.
Private enterprises remained the largest trading entity, with imports and exports of 22.73 trillion yuan, up 19.1%, accounting for 56.9% of the foreign trade total. Foreign-invested enterprises registered 11.69 trillion yuan, up 19%, and state-owned enterprises 5.46 trillion yuan, up 17.8%.
Trade became more balanced, with import growth outpacing export growth by 5.9 percentage points. Thanks to China-Europe Railway Express and the New Western Land-Sea Corridor, the central region posted 20.5% growth and the western region 25.7%.
Customs Deputy Commissioner and spokesperson Wang Jun said the export fundamentals have not changed, and that China will accelerate the construction of a modern industrial system led by advanced manufacturing. He said the fundamentals for continued growth in the fourth quarter are solid.
Source: China Customs Administration / Xinhua / People's Daily / CCTV News
