China’s trade surplus exceeded $1 trillion for the first time in 2025, cementing its position as the world’s manufacturing powerhouse. As businesses worldwide navigate supply chain decisions, understanding what products does China export the most has become essential for importers, retailers, and manufacturers alike.
Current Export Landscape: November 2025 Overview
China’s exports surged 5.9% year-over-year in November 2025, reaching $330.3 billion despite ongoing trade tensions. The trade surplus for the first 11 months hit $1.08 trillion, up 21.7% from the same period in 2024.
Year-to-date exports reached $3.41 trillion, with high-tech products driving growth. While U.S.-bound exports declined 18.9%, shipments to ASEAN grew 8.2% and exports to the EU increased 14.8%.
Top 10 China Export Products by Value
| Rank | Product Category | Export Value (2024) | % of Total | YoY Growth |
| 1 | Electrical Machinery & Equipment | $928 billion | 26% | +11% |
| 2 | Machinery Including Computers | $568.3 billion | 15.9% | +11% |
| 3 | Vehicles (Excluding Railway) | $215.98 billion | 6% | +12.1% |
| 4 | Plastics & Plastic Articles | $141.16 billion | 3.9% | +6.6% |
| 5 | Furniture, Lighting & Signs | $126.29 billion | 3.5% | +5% |
| 6 | Iron or Steel Articles | $99.86 billion | 2.8% | +4% |
| 7 | Apparel (Knit/Crocheted) | $85.26 billion | 2.4% | +3% |
| 8 | Organic Chemicals | $82.60 billion | 2.3% | +8% |
| 9 | Toys, Games & Sports Equipment | $82.40 billion | 2.3% | -7.4% |
| 10 | Optical, Medical & Technical Apparatus | $72.39 billion | 2% | +15% |
Source: World’s Top Exports, China Customs
1. Electrical Machinery and Equipment: The Tech Leader
Electrical machinery and equipment dominated China’s exports at $928 billion in 2024, accounting for 26% of total exports. This category includes smartphones, LED lights, circuit boards, and consumer electronics.
Key Growth Drivers:
- Semiconductor exports surged 24.7% year-to-date in 2025
- LCD exports grew 10.5%
- Rising global demand for smart home devices and remote work equipment
Top Destinations: Hong Kong, United States, Vietnam, South Korea, and India
2. Machinery Including Computers: Industrial Backbone
Machinery exports reached $568.3 billion, representing 15.9% of total exports. This category encompasses computers, industrial equipment, automated assembly lines, and AI-integrated machinery.
The growth in this sector reflects global digitization trends, with Chinese manufacturers providing cost-effective solutions for industries worldwide.
3. Vehicles: The Electric Revolution
China exported approximately 6.5 million vehicles in 2025, surpassing Japan to become the world’s largest car exporter. Electric vehicles are reshaping this sector:
EV Export Highlights:
- NEV exports reached 1.056 million units in H1 2025, up 74.3% from 606,000 units in H1 2024
- Africa saw the fastest growth with 184% increase in Chinese EV imports, exceeding $1 billion in sales
- Overall car exports grew 16.7% year-to-date
BYD overtook Tesla as the world’s largest EV manufacturer, with projections exceeding 7 million vehicle exports by end of 2025.
4. Plastics and Plastic Articles: Essential Materials
Plastics exports totaled $141.16 billion in 2024, representing 3.9% of total exports. This category includes synthetic resins, plastic packaging, bottles, and industrial plastic components.
2024-2025 Trends:
- Export volume grew 25% in 2024 to 25.65 million tons, marking four consecutive years of growth
- China became a net exporter as domestic demand remained sluggish
- Exports to Vietnam surged 54%, while polystyrene exports increased 21%
- Plastic packaging exports reached $10.4 billion, with the U.S. as the largest destination
China’s production capacity expansion and competitive pricing continue to strengthen its position in global plastic markets.
5. Furniture, Lighting, Signs, and Prefabricated Buildings: Home Essentials
Furniture and related products reached $126.29 billion in 2024, accounting for 3.5% of total exports. Wood furniture alone saw exceptional growth.
Key Statistics:
- Wood furniture exports surged 24% year-over-year in first seven months of 2024, reaching 256 million pieces
- Export value increased 9% to $13.4 billion despite 12% price declines
- The U.S. remained the largest destination at 30% of total furniture exports
- January-November 2024 exports reached 432.61 billion yuan ($60 billion), up 7.5%
Chinese furniture manufacturers are shifting from OEM production to branded exports while expanding into Southeast Asian and African markets.
6. Iron or Steel Articles: Construction Fundamentals
Iron and steel articles hit $99.86 billion in 2024, making up 2.8% of total exports. This category includes structural steel, pipes, wire, and construction materials.
These products support global infrastructure development, with Belt and Road Initiative projects driving demand in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central Asia.
7. Apparel (Knit or Crocheted): Fashion Forward
Apparel exports reached $85.26 billion in 2024, representing 2.4% of total exports. The broader textile and apparel sector showed resilience.
Sector Performance:
- Total textile and apparel exports: $301.1 billion in 2024, up 2.8% year-over-year
- Textile exports: $141.96 billion (up 5.7%)
- Apparel exports: $159.14 billion (up 0.3%)
- The U.S. remains the largest market at $50.96 billion, up 9.1%
- ASEAN markets reached $53.18 billion, up 6.8%
Despite challenges from U.S. tariffs, Chinese textile companies are diversifying into emerging markets and improving quality standards.
8. Organic Chemicals: Industrial Ingredients
Organic chemicals logged $82.60 billion in 2024, accounting for 2.3% of total exports. This category includes pharmaceutical ingredients, dyes, and industrial chemicals.
Growth in this sector is driven by global pharmaceutical demand, particularly post-pandemic health product requirements and specialty chemical applications.
9. Toys, Games, and Sports Requisites: Entertainment Export
Toys and games brought in $82.40 billion in 2024, representing 2.3% of total exports. Despite showing a 7.4% decline from 2023, the sector is rebounding with innovation.
2025 Developments:
- In first three quarters of 2025, festive goods, dolls, and animal toys exceeded $6.9 billion
- The U.S. accounts for 26.5% of toy exports at $10.5 billion
- Designer and collectible toys surged 26% domestically to 72.7 billion yuan
- 65.5% of exports now shipped under independent Chinese brands vs. OEM
- Pop Mart and trendy “chao play” products gaining global traction
Chinese toy makers are pivoting from low-margin OEM to IP-driven branded products, targeting Middle East, Southeast Asia, and domestic premium markets.
10. Optical, Photo, Technical, and Medical Apparatus: Precision Equipment
This category reached $72.39 billion in 2024, accounting for 2% of total exports. Products include cameras, lenses, diagnostic equipment, and precision instruments.
The telemedicine boom and increasing healthcare infrastructure investment in developing markets drove a 15% growth rate in 2025, making this one of the fastest-growing export categories.
Fastest-Growing Export Categories in 2025
Beyond the top 10, several categories are experiencing explosive growth:
High-Tech Exports:
- Shipbuilding exports increased 26.8%
- Fertilizer exports surged 61.5%
- Electric batteries and energy storage systems showing triple-digit growth
Geographic Shifts:
- Exports to Africa up 27.5%
- Southeast Asia remains a critical manufacturing hub
- Middle East emerging as key EV market
Key Export Destinations: Where China Ships
| Destination | Export Value (2024) | % of Total | Notable Products |
| United States | $442 billion | 14.7% | Electronics, machinery, textiles |
| Hong Kong | $259 billion | 8.1% | Re-export hub for electronics |
| Vietnam | $163 billion | 4.5% | Intermediate goods, components |
| Japan | $166 billion | 4.3% | Electronics, machinery |
| South Korea | ~$130 billion | 4.1% | Semiconductors, machinery |
Source: World’s Top Exports, China Customs
Trade Dynamics: The U.S. Factor
U.S.-China trade has declined significantly, with exports to America dropping 28.6% in November 2025. Current U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods stand at around 47.5%, down from a peak of 145% earlier in 2025.
However, Chinese companies have adapted by shifting production to Southeast Asia, Mexico, and Africa, enabling them to bypass tariffs on goods arriving directly from China.
What Makes China’s Exports Dominant?
Several factors maintain China’s export leadership:
- Vertical Integration: Control over supply chains from raw materials to finished products
- Scale Efficiency: Unmatched manufacturing capacity and economies of scale
- Innovation Speed: Chinese EV firms develop new cars in 20 months compared to 40 months for legacy automakers
- Infrastructure: World-class ports, logistics networks, and digital payment systems
- Technology Investment: Massive R&D spending in semiconductors, batteries, and green tech
Future Outlook: 2026 Projections
Analysts project continued export growth despite global headwinds:
- Goldman Sachs forecasts China’s 2026 GDP growth at 4.8% driven by exports
- Full-year 2025 trade surplus estimated at $1.23 trillion, equivalent to just over 1% of global GDP
- Green technology exports (EVs, solar panels, batteries) expected to claim larger share
- Continued geographic diversification away from U.S. markets
FAQ: China’s Top Exports
What is China’s #1 export product? Electrical machinery and equipment is China’s largest export category at $928 billion in 2024, representing 26% of total exports.
Top Products Exported from China
How much does China export annually? China exported $3.41 trillion in the first 11 months of 2025, with full-year projections exceeding $3.7 trillion.
What are China’s fastest-growing exports? Semiconductors (+24.7%), electric vehicles (+16.7%), shipbuilding (+26.8%), and fertilizer (+61.5%) led growth in 2025.
Which countries buy the most from China? The United States, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Japan, and South Korea are China’s top five export destinations.
How have U.S. tariffs affected Chinese exports? While U.S.-bound exports declined 18.9% in 2025, China compensated by increasing shipments to ASEAN, EU, and emerging markets.
Conclusion
China’s export dominance in 2025 reflects decades of strategic investment in manufacturing infrastructure, technology, and supply chain efficiency. With a record-breaking trade surplus exceeding $1 trillion, China continues to adapt to global trade dynamics through innovation in high-tech sectors and geographic diversification.
For businesses considering sourcing from China, the data is clear: electrical equipment, machinery, and electric vehicles represent the highest-value opportunities, with emerging categories like semiconductors and green technology showing remarkable growth potential.