The United States was the leading country for exports from the United Kingdom in 2024, with 16.1 percent of all UK exports going to this market. Germany was the second-largest export market for the UK in this year, followed by the Netherlands, with these countries accounting for 8.8 and 7.7 percent of UK exports respectively. During this year, cars were the most valuable goods commodity exported from the UK, while general business services were the most valuable type of service exported from the UK. UK imports most from Germany Although the United States was the largest export market, Germany was the country from which the UK imported the highest share of goods, with 12.5 percent of the UK’s imports coming from the country in 2024. The United States was the second-largest source of imports for the UK, with ten percent originating from there in 2024, with China a close third at 9.8 percent of UK imports. The main types of trade goods imported from the rest of the world in the UK included cars, oil, and mechanical power generators. The Balance of Trade In the fourth quarter of 2024, the United Kingdom had an overall trade deficit of over 11.5 billion pounds. Although service exports from the UK to the rest of the world amounted to more than 119.9 billion pounds, the UK imported far more goods than it exported, resulting in a goods trade deficit of 55.4 billion pounds, bringing down the overall trade balance. As of 2023, the UK was behind only the U.S. when it came to the overall size of the trade deficit.

The United Kingdom's total Exports in 2024 were valued at US$508.68 Billion, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. The United Kingdom's main export partners were: the United States, China and Germany. The top three export commodities were: Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers; Pearls, precious stones, metals, coins and Vehicles other than railway, tramway. Total Imports were valued at US$809.19 Billion. In 2024, The United Kingdom had a trade deficit of US$300.51 Billion.

This statistic shows the United Kingdom's main export partners in 2023. In 2023, the United States were the UK's most important export partner with a share of 14 percent of total exports.

Over **** of the United Kingdom's exports went to countries in Europe in 2024. European countries were collectively the main import market for the UK, with **** percent originating from there. Trade to countries in the Asia-Pacific region accounted for **** percent of imports and **** percent of exports.

Cars were the most valuable type of commodity exported from the United Kingdom in 2024, with exports of this commodity valued at approximately 32.9 billion British pounds. Mechanical power generators were the second-most valuable commodity in 2024, with an export value of around 32.7 billion pounds in this year. By comparison, the most valuable import commodity was also cars, amounting to over 38.4 billion British pounds. The next most valuable import commodity was medicinal and pharmaceutical products at over 27.2 million pounds in this year. UK main trading partners Although the share of both imports and exports from the European Union has been declining recently, the single market is still by far the UK's main trading partner. In terms of individual countries, the United States was the main export partner in 2024 at 16.1 percent of all exports, while Germany was the UK's main import partner with 12.5 percent of imports coming from there in 2024. A main argument of the Leave vote, was that the UK should seek to improve up its trade with the rest of the world, outside of Europe. The success of this 'Global Britain' strategy, depends on the UK significantly scaling up its trade with other continents, with countries outside of Europe still responsible for far less trade than European ones. Brexit and EU trade At the start of 2021, the United Kingdom exited both the European Single Market and the European Customs Union, with the UK's trading relationship with the EU now determined by a new Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). Although the TCA continued tariff and quota-free goods trade between the EU and UK, a number of customs checks came into force, increasing trade friction between the two parties. The status of Northern Ireland in the initial agreement was also different from the rest of the UK. Goods entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain were initially subject to customs checks, to prevent customs checks occurring at the border with the Republic of Ireland. In February 2023, it was announced that under a new EU-UK agreement called the Windsor Framework, some goods entering Northern Ireland from Britain will be subject to fewer checks.

Exports in the United Kingdom increased to 75997 GBP Million in March from 75570 GBP Million in February of 2025. This dataset provides - United Kingdom Exports - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The statistic shows the main import partners for the United Kingdom in 2023. In 2023, the United Kingdom's main import partner was China, accounting for 13 percent of all imports.

In the first quarter of 2025, the value of exports from the United Kingdom amounted to approximately 227 billion British pounds, while imports to the country amounted to around 238 billion pounds, resulting in a trade deficit of around 10.6 billion pounds in this quarter. During this time period, the value of UK exports was highest in the fourth quarter of 2022, with the value of imports peaking in the third quarter of 2022. The UK's main trade partners Despite the UK leaving the EU in 2020 following the Brexit referendum of 2016, Europe remains the main destination for UK exports, with almost half of UK exports heading there in 2023. During the same year, just over 60 percent of imports came from European countries, compared with around 17.9 percent from countries in Asia, and 11.8 percent from the Americas. In terms of individual countries, the United States was the UK's leading export partner for both goods and services from the UK, while Germany was the main source of UK goods imports, and the U.S. for service imports. It is as yet unclear how the return of Donald Trump to the White House will impact UK/US trade relations, should the President follow through with threats made on the campaign trail to increase trade tariffs. Brexit rethink under Starmer? Although generally more pro-European than the previous government, the new Labour government, led by Keir Starmer, does not plan to rejoin the European Union, or the Single Market. Public opinion, while gradually turning against Brexit recently, has not coalesced around a particular trading relationship. In late 2023, a survey indicated that while 31 percent of British adults wanted to rejoin the EU, a further 30 percent wanted to simply improve relations with the EU, instead of rejoining. Just 11 percent of respondents wanted to join the single market but not the EU, while 10 percent were happy with the relationship as it was. At the start of 2025, after several months in office, the new government has not signalled any major change in direction regarding on this, but has broadly signalled it wants a better relationship with the EU.

Quarterly estimates of service type by partner country, non-seasonally adjusted.

The United Kingdom recorded a trade deficit of 7026 GBP Million in April of 2025. This dataset provides - United Kingdom Balance of Trade - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The United Kingdom's total Imports in 2024 were valued at US$809.19 Billion, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. The United Kingdom's main import partners were: China, the United States and Germany. The top three import commodities were: Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers; Pearls, precious stones, metals, coins and Vehicles other than railway, tramway. Total Exports were valued at US$508.68 Billion. In 2024, The United Kingdom had a trade deficit of US$300.51 Billion.

This statistic shows the countries with the highest volume of exports from the United Kingdom (UK) in 2008 and 2018. In 2018, values of exports from the UK have increased markedly, relative to their values in the year 2008. The UK increased the value of their exports to the USA from 34,770 million British pounds in 2008 to 48,682 million British pounds in 2018.

Quarterly estimates of total trade, trade in goods, and trade in services by country, seasonally adjusted.

The European Union's total Exports in 2024 were valued at US$2.80 Trillion, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. The European Union's main export partners were: the United States, the United Kingdom and China. The top three export commodities were: Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers; Pharmaceutical products and Vehicles other than railway, tramway. Total Imports were valued at US$2.64 Trillion. In 2024, The European Union had a trade surplus of US$159.68 Billion.

Ireland Exports: UK: Manufactured Goods data was reported at 90.795 EUR mn in May 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 80.173 EUR mn for Apr 2018. Ireland Exports: UK: Manufactured Goods data is updated monthly, averaging 51.830 EUR mn from Jan 2000 (Median) to May 2018, with 221 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 90.795 EUR mn in May 2018 and a record low of 30.303 EUR mn in Dec 2008. Ireland Exports: UK: Manufactured Goods data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Statistics Office of Ireland. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ireland – Table IE.JA002: Exports: by Main Trade Partner and Standard International Trade Classification.

Bulgaria Exports: FOB: European Union excl UK (EU 27E) data was reported at 2,134.400 EUR mn in Jan 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,919.300 EUR mn for Dec 2024. Bulgaria Exports: FOB: European Union excl UK (EU 27E) data is updated monthly, averaging 2,184.400 EUR mn from Jan 2020 (Median) to Jan 2025, with 61 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,855.100 EUR mn in May 2022 and a record low of 1,250.200 EUR mn in Apr 2020. Bulgaria Exports: FOB: European Union excl UK (EU 27E) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bulgarian National Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bulgaria – Table BG.JA004: Exports: by Main Trade Partners.

The United Kingdom's total Imports in 2024 were valued at US$815.43 Billion, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. The United Kingdom's main import partners were: China, the United States and Germany. The top three import commodities were: Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers; Pearls, precious stones, metals, coins and Vehicles other than railway, tramway. Total Exports were valued at US$512.78 Billion. In 2024, The United Kingdom had a trade deficit of US$302.65 Billion.

Ireland Exports: UK: Machinery and Transport Equipt data was reported at 166.683 EUR mn in May 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 154.216 EUR mn for Apr 2018. Ireland Exports: UK: Machinery and Transport Equipt data is updated monthly, averaging 228.250 EUR mn from Jan 2000 (Median) to May 2018, with 221 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,509.766 EUR mn in May 2002 and a record low of 90.971 EUR mn in Jan 2010. Ireland Exports: UK: Machinery and Transport Equipt data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Statistics Office of Ireland. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ireland – Table IE.JA002: Exports: by Main Trade Partner and Standard International Trade Classification.