07.08.2026 Analytics #China #World #Export #Import #Statistics

China's July exports rise 17.8%, imports outpace at 21.2%

China's General Administration of Customs (GACC) published July foreign trade data on August 7, 2026. Per GACC data, cited by Xinhua, trade turnover reached 4.66 trillion yuan, up 19.2% year on year — the fifth consecutive month above 4 trillion yuan. Exports rose 17.8%, imports 21.2%, meaning imports outpaced exports.

The July figures in dollar terms

The same customs data in dollars, as reported by the South China Morning Post: July exports totalled $397.85 billion (up 23.9%) and imports $285.35 billion (up 27.5%), with the trade surplus narrowing to $112.5 billion from $125.62 billion in June.

Imports outpacing exports over seven months

For January–July 2026, China's combined trade turnover reached 30.13 trillion yuan, up 17.3%, Xinhua reports. Exports over the seven months totalled 17.44 trillion yuan (up 14%), while imports reached 12.69 trillion yuan (up 22%) — confirming that on a cumulative basis imports are growing considerably faster than exports, a trend also visible in the July-only figures.

Machinery, EVs and batteries driving exports

Mechanical and electrical products remain the main export driver: over seven months shipments reached 11.12 trillion yuan (up 21.2%), accounting for 63.8% of total exports. Within this category, EV exports rose 71.2% and lithium battery exports 35.8%, per Xinhua; industrial robot shipments grew 13.2% and shipbuilding output 32.7%. According to Sina Finance, July high-tech exports rose more than 50% year on year, and exports of EVs, lithium batteries and other green, low-carbon products have posted double-digit growth for 17 consecutive months. On the import side, electromechanical imports reached 5.31 trillion yuan over seven months (up 29.7%), per Xinhua.

What these figures mean for importers and logistics providers

For companies sourcing EVs and lithium batteries from China, the key readings are the 71.2% and 35.8% export growth in those categories over seven months, against mechanical and electrical products' 63.8% share of total Chinese exports. For suppliers of equipment and raw materials into China, the counterpart figure matters: electromechanical imports grew 29.7% over the same period. The narrower July dollar surplus reflects imports into China growing faster than exports out of China during the month.

Primary sources

• Синьхуа: внешнеторговый оборот Китая пятый месяц подряд превышает 4 трлн юаней (данные ГТУ КНР)
• SCMP: China's exports hold firm in July despite trade and geopolitical headwinds
• Sina Finance: механо-техническая продукция и «зелёный» экспорт Китая за семь месяцев

This material is for information only and does not constitute legal advice or customs consulting. Verify changes against the primary sources before acting.