Marine Forwarding

Country guide

Shipping between the US and Laos

Asia

In 2025 the United States exported $20.2 million of goods to Laos and imported $2.1 billion from there. Laos ranked 191st among US export markets and 71st among sources of US imports.

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US exports, 2025
$20.2MDown 49.3% on 2024 ($39.8 million)
US imports, 2025
$2.1BUp 161.7% on 2024 ($804.6 million)
Goods balance
$2.1BUS deficit
Export market rank
191stAmong destinations of US goods
Import source rank
71stAmong 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 Laos

Wood pulp and recovered paper (chapter 47) led US exports to Laos at $3.3 million, 16% of the total. The top three chapters made up 41%.

  1. 47Wood pulp and recovered paper$3.3 million16.4%
  2. 23Food industry residues and animal feed$2.5 million12.5%
  3. 84Machinery and mechanical appliances$2.4 million11.7%
  4. 71Precious stones, metals and jewelry$2.3 million11.2%
  5. 90Optical, medical and precision instruments$1.4 million6.9%

US imports from Laos

Electrical machinery and equipment (chapter 85) led US imports from Laos at $1.7 billion, 79% of the total. The top three chapters made up 92%.

  1. 85Electrical machinery and equipment$1.7 billion78.7%
  2. 90Optical, medical and precision instruments$208.0 million9.9%
  3. 94Furniture, bedding and lighting$63.7 million3.0%
  4. 25Salt, stone, lime and cement$33.2 million1.6%
  5. 64Footwear$31.2 million1.5%

Trade terms

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

The International Trade Administration covers the import rules and documents Laos 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 Laos.

Exports through the port, 2025
$242K1.2% of the US total with Laos
Leading export goods
Oil seeds, grains and fodderHS chapter 12, $135 thousand
Imports through the port, 2025
$35.9M1.7% of the US total with Laos
Leading import goods
Electrical machinery and equipmentHS chapter 85, $34.3 million

Trade through Norfolk-Newport News

Getting cargo to Laos

Laos is landlocked. Ocean cargo for Laos discharges at a seaport in a neighboring country and moves on by road or rail.

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.
  • 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.