Customs data released on December 8 shows that China's total goods trade import and export value reached 41.21 trillion yuan in the first 11 months of 2025, a year-on-year increase of 3.6%. Exports grew by 6.2% to 24.46 trillion yuan, while imports edged up 0.2% to 16.75 trillion yuan.

In November alone, trade activity rebounded, with total imports and exports rising 4.1% to 3.9 trillion yuan. Exports climbed 5.7% to 2.35 trillion yuan, and imports increased 1.7% to 1.55 trillion yuan.

From January to November, general trade accounted for 63.2% of total trade at 26.04 trillion yuan, up 2.1%. Processing trade expanded 7.3% to 7.74 trillion yuan, representing 18.8% of trade, while bonded logistics trade rose 5.5% to 5.92 trillion yuan, making up 14.4%.

ASEAN remained China's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade growing 8.5% to 6.82 trillion yuan, or 16.6% of total trade. The EU followed as the second-largest partner, with trade up 5.4% to 5.37 trillion yuan (13% share). Trade with the U.S., the third-largest partner, declined 16.9% to 3.69 trillion yuan (8.9% share). Meanwhile, trade with Belt and Road partner countries increased 6% to 21.33 trillion yuan.

Mechanical and electrical products dominated exports, exceeding 60% of the total. Exports in this category rose 8.8% to 14.89 trillion yuan, led by integrated circuits (up 25.6% to 1.29 trillion yuan) and automobiles (up 17.6% to 896.91 billion yuan). However, exports of labor-intensive products fell 3.5% to 3.7 trillion yuan, while agricultural exports grew 2% to 670.21 billion yuan.

On the import side, key commodities saw price declines. Crude oil imports increased 3.2% to 522 million tons, with average prices down 12.1%. Natural gas imports dropped 4.7% to 114 million tons, with prices falling 9.4%. Iron ore imports rose 1.4% to 1.139 billion tons, while coal imports fell 12% to 432 million tons. Imports of mechanical and electrical products grew 5.5% to 6.69 trillion yuan.