What does the US export?

Quick Overview

The United States exported $3.43 trillion in goods and services in 2025. Goods exports reached $2.19 trillion, led by industrial supplies, machinery, computers, aircraft, pharmaceuticals and agricultural products. Mexico and Canada remained the largest markets for U.S. goods.

How Much Does the United States Export?

The United States is one of the world's largest exporters of manufactured goods, energy products, agricultural commodities and commercial services.

Revised annual data shows that total U.S. exports reached $3.43 trillion in 2025, approximately 6% more than in 2024.

This total included:

• $2.19 trillion in goods exports
• $1.24 trillion in services exports
• A $327.7 billion services trade surplus
• A $1.26 trillion goods trade deficit

Goods exports increased by approximately 5.4%, while services exports rose by about 7%.

The latest 2026 data shows that U.S. goods exports reached approximately $1.03 trillion between January and May 2026. Mexico and Canada continued to receive the largest shares of exported U.S. goods.

Businesses preparing an international shipment can compare transport options using the freight cost calculator and estimate sailing or delivery schedules with the transit time calculator.

What Does the US Export Most?

Industrial supplies and capital goods account for most U.S. merchandise exports. Together, these two categories represented almost 69% of goods exported on a Census basis in 2025.

Main US Export Categories in 2025

Category figures are presented on a Census basis and may differ slightly from the balance-of-payments goods total.

1. Industrial Supplies and Materials

Industrial supplies were the largest U.S. goods export category in 2025, reaching approximately $784.4 billion.

This category includes:

• Petroleum and refined fuel products
• Natural gas and liquefied natural gas
• Chemicals
• Plastics and synthetic materials
• Metals and finished metal products
• Nonmonetary gold
• Lumber, paper and industrial raw materials
• Coal and other fuels

Demand for these products comes from overseas manufacturers, energy companies, construction businesses and industrial supply chains.

Energy Exports

The United States exports substantial quantities of:

• Liquefied natural gas
• Pipeline natural gas
• Crude oil
• Refined petroleum products
• Propane and other natural gas liquids
• Coal

U.S. liquefied natural gas exports averaged around 15 billion cubic feet per day in 2025, reflecting strong demand from Europe and Asia.

Energy cargo may require tankers, bulk carriers, specialist terminals or other transportation systems rather than standard container shipping. However, equipment, spare parts and packaged chemical products supporting the energy sector are frequently shipped by container or air freight.

2. Capital Goods

Capital goods exports totaled approximately $712.2 billion in 2025, making them the second-largest U.S. merchandise export category.

Major capital goods include:

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

Capital goods generated the largest year-over-year increase among U.S. goods exports in 2025. Growth was particularly strong for computers, computer accessories, civilian aircraft and aircraft engines.

Civilian Aircraft and Aerospace Equipment

The United States has one of the world's largest aerospace industries. Common exports include:

• Commercial aircraft
• Aircraft engines
• Landing gear
• Avionics
• Turbine components
• Replacement parts
• Maintenance equipment

Aircraft components are often valuable, technically sensitive and time-critical. Smaller components may move by air freight, while engines, machinery and large equipment may require containerized or specialized ocean transport.

Industrial Machinery

U.S. machinery exports support manufacturing, agriculture, mining, construction and energy projects worldwide.

Common products include:

• Pumps and compressors
• Turbines
• Factory machinery
• Food-processing equipment
• Agricultural machinery
• Construction equipment
• Industrial tools
• Heating and cooling systems

Large machinery shipments often use FCL shipping because it offers exclusive container use and fewer cargo-handling points.

3. Consumer Goods

The United States exported approximately $268.6 billion in consumer goods in 2025.

Key products include:

• Pharmaceutical preparations
• Medical products
• Cosmetics
• Household appliances
• Electronics
• Jewelry
• Artwork and collectibles
• Toys and sporting goods
• Furniture
• Packaged consumer products

Pharmaceuticals and Medical Products

Pharmaceutical preparations were among the strongest contributors to U.S. consumer-goods export growth in 2025.

The United States exports:

• Prescription medicines
• Vaccines
• Diagnostic products
• Medical devices
• Laboratory equipment
• Surgical instruments
• Dental equipment

Pharmaceutical shipments may require validated packaging, temperature control, specialized documentation and faster transportation.

4. Food and Agricultural Products

Food, feed and beverage exports totaled approximately $161.2 billion under the Census end-use classification in 2025.

Using the broader USDA agricultural classification, the United States exported approximately $171 billion in agricultural products during the year.

Major U.S. agricultural exports include:

• Corn
• Soybeans
• Wheat
• Cotton
• Meat and poultry
• Dairy products
• Tree nuts
• Fresh and processed fruit
• Animal feed
• Distilled spirits
• Prepared food products
• Vegetable oils

High-value products such as meat, dairy, processed foods, beverages and horticultural goods represented about 71% of U.S. agricultural export value in 2025.

Mexico, Canada, the European Union, Japan and South Korea were the five largest markets for U.S. agricultural goods.

Agricultural shipping requirements depend on the product. Options may include:

• Dry containers for packaged food
• Refrigerated containers for meat, dairy and produce
• Bulk vessels for grain
• Tank containers for liquids
• Air freight for urgent perishables

Exporters must also check sanitary, phytosanitary, labeling and destination-country import requirements.

5. Automotive Vehicles and Parts

Automotive exports reached approximately $160.3 billion in 2025.

The category includes:

• Passenger vehicles
• Trucks
• Buses
• Special-purpose vehicles
• Engines
• Transmissions
• Tires
• Batteries
• Electronic components
• Replacement parts

Although automotive exports declined compared with 2024, vehicles and parts remained an important U.S. export sector.

Complete vehicles may travel using roll-on/roll-off vessels or containers. Engines, spare parts and components are frequently transported by FCL, LCL or air freight, depending on their size and urgency.

6. Technology and Advanced Manufacturing

Technology products appear across several official export categories rather than being recorded as one single group.

Major technology exports include:

• Computers
• Semiconductors
• Telecommunications equipment
• Scientific instruments
• Aerospace systems
• Medical technology
• Industrial automation equipment
• Software and intellectual property services

Certain technology products may be subject to U.S. export controls based on their technical specifications, destination, end user or intended application.

Exporters should determine whether their products have an Export Control Classification Number or are designated EAR99 before shipping.

What Services Does the US Export?

Services exports reached approximately $1.24 trillion in 2025.

Major service-export categories include:

• Business and professional services
• Financial services
• Travel and tourism
• Intellectual property licensing
• Telecommunications and information services
• Transportation
• Insurance
• Maintenance and repair
• Education
• Research and development

The strongest annual increases included other business services, intellectual property charges and financial services.

Unlike physical goods, services do not require container or air cargo transportation. However, service exports are a major part of the overall U.S. trade profile and should be included when answering how much the country exports.

Which Countries Does the US Export To?

Mexico and Canada remained the two largest destinations for U.S. goods in 2025. Together, they received more than $670 billion in American merchandise.

Top US Goods Export Markets in 2025

The destination ranking reflects goods shipped on a Census basis.

Latest 2026 Export Markets

Between January and May 2026, the leading destinations for U.S. goods were:

1. Mexico
2. Canada
3. United Kingdom
4. Netherlands
5. China
6. Japan
7. Germany
8. Switzerland
9. South Korea
10. Hong Kong

Mexico received approximately 15.7% of U.S. goods exports during this period, while Canada accounted for 14%.

Businesses shipping to major overseas markets can review route-specific information for:

• Freight from the US to the UK
• Freight from the US to Spain
• Export to Germany
• Export to France
• Export to Spain
• Export to Peru

How Are US Exports Shipped?

The best freight mode depends on the product's size, weight, value, urgency and destination.

FCL Ocean Freight

Full Container Load shipping is generally suitable for:

• Industrial machinery
• Automotive components
• Chemicals
• Packaged food
• Furniture
• Large commercial orders
• Heavy or bulky equipment

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

LCL Ocean Freight

Less than Container Load shipping allows exporters to share a container and pay for the space used.

LCL is suitable for:

• Several pallets
• Small machinery
• Replacement parts
• Packaged consumer goods
• Samples and smaller wholesale orders

LCL usually involves additional time for consolidation and deconsolidation.

Air Freight

Air freight is normally used for:

• Pharmaceuticals
• Medical equipment
• Electronics
• Aerospace components
• Urgent replacement parts
• High-value products
• Time-sensitive samples

It offers shorter transit times but usually costs more per kilogram than ocean freight.

What Documents Are Needed to Export From the US?

Documentation requirements depend on the commodity, value, destination and freight mode.

Common shipping documents include:

• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• Bill of lading or air waybill
• Electronic Export Information filing
• Certificate of origin
• Export license, when required
• Dangerous-goods declaration
• Safety data sheet
• Insurance certificate
• Sanitary or phytosanitary certificate

Exporters should also confirm:

• The correct Schedule B number
• The product's ECCN or EAR99 status
• Restricted-party screening
• Destination-country import rules
• The agreed Incoterm
• Responsibility for customs and documentation

Incomplete or inaccurate documents can cause cargo holds, inspections, penalties and additional storage costs.

What Determines US Export Shipping Costs?

International export costs depend on:

• Origin and destination
• Ocean or air freight
• Shipment weight and dimensions
• FCL or LCL service
• Container type
• Inland pickup and delivery
• Terminal handling
• Fuel and security surcharges
• Customs documentation
• Specialized cargo requirements
• Cargo insurance
• Seasonal carrier capacity
• Destination charges

The cheapest base freight rate is not always the lowest total cost. Exporters should compare the complete scope of service, including origin handling, destination fees and delivery requirements.

Adding cargo insurance can protect the commercial value of the goods against covered loss or damage during transportation.

References

• U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis - 2025 Annual Trade Revision - Revised goods and services totals, export categories and annual country-level data.
• U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, May 2026 - Latest monthly goods and services trade figures.
• U.S. Census Bureau - Top Trading Partners Through May 2026 - Current year-to-date goods exports and leading export markets.
• USDA Economic Research Service - U.S. Agricultural Exports in 2025 - Total agricultural export value and leading destination markets.
• U.S. Energy Information Administration - U.S. LNG Exports in 2025 - LNG export volumes and recent growth.