Marine Forwarding

Country guide

Shipping between the US and China

Asia · 24 port guides

In 2025 the United States exported $106.0 billion of goods to China and imported $308.7 billion from there. China was the 3rd largest market for US exports and the 3rd largest source of US imports.

Request a rate quote (757) 857-4141
66 ports in China recorded in the World Port Index
US exports, 2025
$106.0BDown 26.0% on 2024 ($143.3 billion)
US imports, 2025
$308.7BDown 29.9% on 2024 ($440.3 billion)
Goods balance
$202.7BUS deficit
Export market rank
3rdAmong destinations of US goods
Import source rank
3rdAmong sources of US imports

Top goods each way

The five largest Harmonized System chapters by value in 2025, with each chapter's share of the total.

US exports to China

Electrical machinery and equipment (chapter 85) led US exports to China at $16.3 billion, 15% of the total. The top three chapters made up 40%.

  1. 85Electrical machinery and equipment$16.3 billion15.4%
  2. 88Aircraft and spacecraft$15.9 billion15.0%
  3. 84Machinery and mechanical appliances$10.5 billion9.9%
  4. 90Optical, medical and precision instruments$9.9 billion9.3%
  5. 30Pharmaceutical products$9.1 billion8.6%

US imports from China

Electrical machinery and equipment (chapter 85) led US imports from China at $82.1 billion, 27% of the total. The top three chapters made up 49%.

  1. 85Electrical machinery and equipment$82.1 billion26.6%
  2. 84Machinery and mechanical appliances$49.7 billion16.1%
  3. 95Toys, games and sports equipment$18.7 billion6.1%
  4. 39Plastics$14.8 billion4.8%
  5. 94Furniture, bedding and lighting$12.6 billion4.1%

Trade terms

The United States has no free trade agreement in force with China, according to the US Trade Representative. Check the duty rate for your goods before you ship.

Goods of Chinese origin can carry additional duties under Section 301 on entry to the United States. The US Trade Representative publishes the tariff actions and exclusions.

The International Trade Administration covers the import rules and documents China requires in its Country Commercial Guide.

Through Norfolk-Newport News

The Census Bureau records trade by the US port it passes through. These are its 2025 figures for Norfolk-Newport News, Virginia, for trade with China.

Exports through the port, 2025
$1.7B1.6% of the US total with China
Leading export goods
PlasticsHS chapter 39, $384.1 million
Imports through the port, 2025
$7.0B2.3% of the US total with China
Leading import goods
Machinery and mechanical appliancesHS chapter 84, $1.3 billion

Trade through Norfolk-Newport News

Ports in China

24 ports in China have a guide here, with depths and facilities from the World Port Index. In the index, Fuzhou records the deepest cargo pier of them, at 27.5 m.

Also recorded in the World Port Index for China: Ankingcheng, Bayuquan, Changshu, Changzhou, Chaozhou, Chiwan, Dagu Tanggu, Dandong, Dongshan, Gaogang, Haikou, Haimen, Hankow, Huangpu, Huangpuxingang, Huludao Gang, Jiangyin, Jinzhou Wan, Lanshan, Lianyungang, Lon Shui Terminal, Longkou Gang, Lushun, Nantong, Penglai, Qinzhou, Rizhao, Sanya, Suizhang Gang, Taicang, Weihai, Wu Hu, Xiuyu, Yangpu, Yangzhou, Yantai, Yantian, Zhangjiangang, Zhangzhou, Zhapu, Zhen Hai and Zhoushan.

Sources

  • US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
  • Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
  • Trade agreements: Office of the US Trade Representative, free trade agreements, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Import requirements: International Trade Administration, Country Commercial Guides, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.