What does the US import?

Quick Overview

The United States imported $4.33 trillion in goods and services in 2025, including $3.44 trillion in goods. Capital goods led merchandise imports, followed by consumer goods and industrial supplies. Mexico, Canada, Taiwan, China and Vietnam were the largest import sources through May 2026.

How Much Does the United States Import?

The United States is one of the world’s largest import markets. Its businesses and consumers purchase machinery, electronics, vehicles, medicines, energy products, food and commercial services from suppliers worldwide.

Total U.S. imports reached approximately $4.33 trillion in 2025, an increase of 4.8% from the previous year.

This included:

• $3.44 trillion in goods imports
• $895.4 billion in services imports
• A $1.24 trillion goods trade deficit
• A $339.5 billion services trade surplus

Goods imports increased by approximately $143.2 billion, while services imports grew by about $54.6 billion.

Businesses planning an international shipment can compare transportation options with the freight cost calculator and estimate schedules using the transit time calculator.

What Does the US Import Most?

Capital goods were the largest U.S. merchandise import category in 2025, followed by consumer goods and industrial supplies.

Together, these three categories represented almost 77% of goods imported on a Census basis.

Main US Import Categories in 2025

The values above use the Census end-use classification. They may differ from figures based on Harmonized System product categories or balance-of-payments adjustments.

1. Capital Goods

Capital goods were the largest U.S. import category in 2025, reaching approximately $1.13 trillion.

These goods are primarily used by businesses to manufacture products, operate facilities, build infrastructure and deliver services.

Major capital goods imports include:

• Computers and computer accessories
• Telecommunications equipment
• Electrical apparatus
• Industrial machinery
• Semiconductors
• Medical equipment
• Scientific and measuring instruments
• Construction machinery
• Agricultural equipment
• Aircraft and aircraft parts
• Engines and generators

Capital-goods imports increased by approximately $165.9 billion compared with 2024, the largest increase among the main import categories.

Computers and Technology Equipment

Computers were one of the fastest-growing imported products in 2025. U.S. computer imports reached approximately $218.2 billion, nearly double the 2024 value.

Other major technology imports included:

• Computer accessories: $143.3 billion
• Telecommunications equipment: $114.7 billion
• Electrical apparatus: $106.9 billion
• Semiconductors: $76.1 billion

This category includes servers, data-storage equipment, networking hardware, processors, telecommunications systems and components used by data centers, manufacturers and technology companies.

High-value or urgent technology shipments may travel by air freight, while larger commercial orders are commonly transported by ocean freight.

Industrial Machinery

The United States imports industrial machinery for manufacturing, food processing, construction, energy production, agriculture and logistics.

Common imports include:

• Factory and assembly equipment
• Pumps and compressors
• Machine tools
• Materials-handling equipment
• Food-processing machinery
• Agricultural machinery
• Heating and cooling equipment
• Generators and industrial engines

Large machinery shipments frequently use FCL shipping because a full container provides exclusive space and reduces handling.

2. Consumer Goods

Consumer-goods imports totaled approximately $799.9 billion in 2025.

This category includes both finished retail goods and medical products used by households and healthcare providers.

Important consumer imports include:

• Pharmaceutical preparations
• Cell phones and household electronics
• Furniture
• Clothing and footwear
• Household appliances
• Toys and sporting goods
• Jewelry
• Cosmetics and toiletries
• Cookware and household products
• Artwork and collectibles

Pharmaceuticals

Pharmaceutical preparations were the largest detailed consumer-goods import line in 2025, reaching approximately $287.1 billion.

The United States imports:

• Prescription medicines
• Vaccines
• Biological products
• Generic medicines
• Active pharmaceutical ingredients
• Diagnostic products
• Medical supplies

Pharmaceutical imports increased by more than $40 billion compared with 2024.

These products may require temperature-controlled packaging, validated transportation, regulatory documentation and faster delivery services.

Cell Phones, Electronics and Household Goods

Imports of cell phones and related household goods totaled approximately $108.8 billion.

The United States also imports substantial volumes of:

• Televisions
• Audio equipment
• Kitchen appliances
• Furniture
• Toys
• Sporting goods
• Clothing
• Footwear

Consumer-goods volumes often rise before major retail seasons, making early booking and inventory planning important.

3. Industrial Supplies and Materials

Industrial supplies and materials reached approximately $699 billion in 2025.

These products support manufacturing, construction, energy, automotive production and other industrial supply chains.

Common imports include:

• Crude oil
• Natural gas
• Chemicals
• Plastics
• Iron and steel
• Copper and aluminum
• Finished metal products
• Lumber and paper
• Textiles used in manufacturing
• Fertilizers
• Synthetic materials

Crude Oil and Energy Products

Crude oil imports totaled approximately $140 billion in 2025.

The United States produces large quantities of oil and natural gas, but it also imports energy products because of refinery configurations, regional demand, infrastructure and differences between crude-oil grades.

Major imported energy products include:

• Crude oil
• Refined petroleum
• Natural gas
• Fuel oil
• Liquefied petroleum gases
• Coal and electricity

Bulk energy products generally move through pipelines, tankers and specialist terminals rather than standard containers.

Metals and Manufacturing Inputs

Finished metal shapes were valued at approximately $105.3 billion, making them another major U.S. import.

The United States imports metals and industrial materials for:

• Automotive manufacturing
• Construction
• Aerospace
• Electronics
• Machinery production
• Energy infrastructure
• Consumer-product manufacturing

Depending on their form, these products may move in containers, bulk vessels, breakbulk services or specialized equipment.

4. Automotive Vehicles, Parts and Engines

Automotive imports reached approximately $422.4 billion in 2025.

The category included:

• Passenger cars
• Trucks and buses
• Automotive parts
• Engines
• Tires
• Batteries
• Electrical systems
• Body components

Passenger Vehicles

Passenger-car imports totaled approximately $179.5 billion.

Finished vehicles are commonly transported on roll-on/roll-off vessels, although some vehicles may also move in containers.

Automotive Parts

Imports of automotive parts and accessories reached approximately $138.3 billion.

These parts support U.S. vehicle assembly plants, repair networks and aftermarket businesses.

Common automotive imports include:

• Engines and engine parts
• Transmissions
• Braking systems
• Electronic components
• Tires
• Batteries
• Body panels
• Replacement parts

Businesses sourcing components can review the iContainers guide to importing car parts into the United States.

5. Food, Feed and Beverages

The United States imported approximately $215.4 billion in foods, feeds and beverages in 2025.

Common imported food products include:

• Fruit and vegetables
• Fish and seafood
• Meat products
• Coffee
• Wine and beer
• Vegetable oils
• Bakery products
• Dairy products
• Nuts
• Prepared foods
• Animal feed

Leading detailed categories included:

• Fruit and frozen juices: $30.3 billion
• Fish and shellfish: $26.0 billion
• Bakery products: $24.0 billion
• Meat products: $22.2 billion
• Wine, beer and related products: $13.8 billion
• Green coffee: $10.3 billion

Food imports may require refrigeration, sanitary certificates, FDA documentation, USDA controls or destination inspections.

Perishable products are commonly transported in refrigerated containers or by air freight, depending on shelf life and delivery requirements.

Largest Individual US Imports

The following products were among the highest-value detailed import lines in 2025.

These classifications group goods by their principal economic use. A product may appear under a different heading when analyzed using tariff or industry classifications.

What Services Does the US Import?

The United States imported approximately $895.4 billion in services during 2025.

Major service-import categories include:

• Travel and tourism
• Transportation
• Insurance
• Financial services
• Telecommunications and information services
• Intellectual property charges
• Maintenance and repair
• Professional and business services
• Research and development

Imported services do not create container volumes in the same way as physical goods, but they form an important part of total U.S. trade.

Transportation services can include payments to foreign shipping lines, airlines, logistics providers and other international carriers.

Which Countries Does the US Import From?

The United States sources goods from a diverse network of manufacturing, agricultural and energy-producing countries.

Mexico was the largest source of U.S. goods imports during the first five months of 2026, followed by Canada, Taiwan, China and Vietnam.

Top US Import Partners From January to May 2026

These ten countries accounted for a substantial share of the $1.43 trillion in goods imported by the United States between January and May 2026.

Imports From Mexico

Mexico supplies the United States with:

• Vehicles and automotive parts
• Computers and electronics
• Electrical equipment
• Machinery
• Medical devices
• Agricultural products
• Furniture
• Beverages

Cross-border supply chains are particularly important for automotive, electronics, aerospace and appliance manufacturing.

Imports From Canada

Major imports from Canada include:

• Crude oil and energy products
• Vehicles and automotive parts
• Machinery
• Lumber and paper
• Metals
• Chemicals
• Food and agricultural goods

Canada remains an important supplier because of its geographic proximity and highly integrated North American supply chains.

Imports From China

The United States imports a wide range of goods from China, including:

• Electronics
• Machinery
• Furniture
• Toys
• Textiles
• Clothing
• Plastics
• Household products
• Industrial components

Businesses sourcing containerized goods can review the China-to-US freight guide and the guide to importing furniture from China.

Imports From Taiwan and Vietnam

Taiwan is a major supplier of semiconductors, computers, electronics and technology components.

Vietnam supplies furniture, electronics, clothing, footwear, machinery and consumer products. Its role in U.S. sourcing has grown as companies diversify manufacturing across Asia.

Imports From India

Major imports from India include:

• Pharmaceuticals
• Chemicals
• Machinery
• Textiles
• Jewelry
• Petroleum products
• Food products

Importers can compare ocean and air services through the India-to-US trade lane.

Latest US Import Trends in 2026

In May 2026, total U.S. goods and services imports reached approximately $395.3 billion.

This included:

• $317.0 billion in goods
• $78.2 billion in services

Goods imports increased by $12.3 billion compared with April. Computers, telecommunications equipment and other technology-related capital goods continued to represent an important part of import demand.

Monthly trade figures can change significantly because of tariffs, inventory cycles, commodity prices, seasonal demand and the timing of large shipments.

Annual figures therefore provide a more stable picture of the U.S. import market than a single month.

How Are US Imports Shipped?

The correct freight mode depends on the shipment’s size, weight, urgency, value and handling requirements.

FCL Ocean Freight

Full Container Load shipping is commonly used for:

• Machinery
• Furniture
• Automotive parts
• Electronics
• Chemicals
• Textiles
• Food products
• Large commercial orders

The importer receives exclusive use of a 20-foot, 40-foot or 40-foot high-cube container.

LCL Ocean Freight

Less than Container Load shipping allows several importers to share one container.

It is suitable for:

• Palletized cargo
• Small wholesale orders
• Replacement parts
• Samples
• Furniture
• Packaged consumer goods

LCL shipments require consolidation at origin and deconsolidation in the United States.

Air Freight

Air freight is generally used for:

• Pharmaceuticals
• Electronics
• Medical equipment
• Urgent parts
• High-value goods
• Perishable products
• Time-sensitive samples

Air freight normally offers shorter transit times but a higher cost per kilogram than ocean shipping.

What Documents Are Needed to Import Into the US?

Common import and shipping documents include:

• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• Bill of lading or air waybill
• Importer Security Filing for ocean cargo
• Customs entry documents
• Certificate of origin
• Customs bond
• Product licenses or permits
• Dangerous-goods declaration
• Safety data sheet
• Sanitary or phytosanitary certificates

The importer must also determine:

• The correct HTS classification
• The customs value
• The country of origin
• Applicable duties and trade measures
• Whether another government agency regulates the product
• Who will act as the Importer of Record

The customs clearance and duties guide provides more information on the U.S. clearance process.

For most ocean cargo, Importer Security Filing data must be submitted before the goods are loaded onto the vessel at origin.

What Determines Import Shipping Costs?

The total cost of importing can include:

• Product purchase price
• Origin collection
• Export handling
• Ocean or air freight
• Cargo insurance
• Customs duties
• Customs brokerage
• Importer Security Filing
• Terminal handling
• Port or airport charges
• Inspections
• Storage
• Demurrage and detention
• Final delivery

The lowest supplier price or freight rate does not always produce the lowest landed cost.

Importers should compare the full transportation scope, duty exposure and destination charges before placing an overseas order.

Adding cargo insurance can protect the shipment against covered loss or damage during international transportation.

References

• U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, Annual 2025 - Annual imports, principal end-use categories and individual commodity values.
• U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, May 2026 - Latest monthly goods and services import totals.
• U.S. Census Bureau - Top Trading Partners Through May 2026 - Year-to-date goods imports by country.
• U.S. International Trade Commission - Harmonized Tariff Schedule - Current HTS classifications and tariff information.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Basic Importing and Exporting - U.S. customs entry and importer-compliance guidance.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Importer Security Filing - ISF timing and ocean-import filing requirements.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Customs Bond Requirements - Guidance on when importers need a customs bond.