The European Union has experienced a shift in its biggest trade partners since the early 2000s. Over the past two decades, the share of EU imports flowing from China has more than doubled, from around 8 percent in 2002 to over 20 percent in 2024, making China the EU's largest external import partner. At the same time, the proportion of total imports coming from the United Kingdom, which was historically a large importer to EU countries (the UK was an EU member state until 2020), have more than halved, from 18 percent to less than 7 percent. This secular trend existed before the UK voted to leave the EU in 2016, however, there has been a notable drop in imports from the UK since Brexit was enacted in 2020. By contrast the share of the EU's import trade taken by the U.S., Switzerland, and the Rest of World have remained relatively stable over this period. The share of exports coming from Russia was growing steadily in the period before 2014, after which the EU imposed economic sanctions on Russia due to the illegal annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. Imports from Russia collapsed in 2023, due to the effect of the additional economic sanctions placed on Russia in response to the full scale invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022.The Russian Federation is now only the tenth-largest exporter to the EU, after India, Japan, and South Korea.

In 2022, the most imported goods category by EU countries was mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials, with the category having more than doubled in value compared to the previous year. This rapid increase in the cost of fuel imports is tied to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has led to the European Union boycotting Russian fuel imports, previously its largest energy source. In 2023 and 2024, machinery and transport equipment once again became the most imported goods category in the EU, as fuel imports feel substantially compared to 2022.

The European Union's total Imports in 2024 were valued at US$2.64 Trillion, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. The European Union's main import partners were: China, the United States and the United Kingdom. The top three import commodities were: Mineral fuels, oils, distillation products; Electrical, electronic equipment and Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers. Total Exports were valued at US$2.80 Trillion. In 2024, The European Union had a trade surplus of US$159.68 Billion.

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.

Germany, the United States, and France were the three biggest export markets for exporters from European Union member states, as of 2022. Over the two decades from 2002 to 2022, Germany, Poland, China, and the rest of the EU grew substantially as export markets, with China and Poland both more than doubling their shares of total EU exports. On the other hand, the UK was the fastest declining export market, as its share of EU exports sank from approximately 9.5 percent to less than 5 percent in 2022.

The European Union's share of both world exports and imports has on average been falling for the past two decades. During this time, the EU opened up a small trade deficit during the years around the Great Recession and the Eurozone crisis, before sustaining a large surplus in the years after 2011. This surplus was driven by exporting countries such as Germany who specialize in exporting products such as chemicals, manufactured products and heavy machinery, while the cost competitiveness of EU exporters was maintained by a decade which saw little real wage growth for EU workers. On the other hand, the EU also imported heavy manufactured goods, while being a notable energy and fuel importer. The economic problems experienced in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 led to Europe once more opening up a trade deficit, while this once more became a surplus in 2023 and 2024, as Europe's share of world imports sank bank to 14.4 percent and the exports to 15.8 percent.

The United States' total Imports in 2024 were valued at US$3.36 Trillion, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. The United States' main import partners were: Mexico, China and Canada. The top three import commodities were: Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers; Electrical, electronic equipment and Vehicles other than railway, tramway. Total Exports were valued at US$2.06 Trillion. In 2024, The United States had a trade deficit of US$1.29 Trillion.

Bulgaria Imports: CIF: Europe: EU Countries: Consumer Goods data was reported at 1,369.000 EUR mn in Dec 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,246.800 EUR mn for Sep 2019. Bulgaria Imports: CIF: Europe: EU Countries: Consumer Goods data is updated quarterly, averaging 559.918 EUR mn from Mar 1995 (Median) to Dec 2019, with 100 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,369.000 EUR mn in Dec 2019 and a record low of 19.936 EUR mn in Mar 1997. Bulgaria Imports: CIF: Europe: EU Countries: Consumer Goods data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bulgarian National Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bulgaria – Table BG.JA008: Imports: by Main Trade Partners and End Use.

Germany DE: Tariff Rate: Applied: Weighted Mean: Primary Products data was reported at 0.840 % in 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.340 % for 2021. Germany DE: Tariff Rate: Applied: Weighted Mean: Primary Products data is updated yearly, averaging 1.690 % from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2022, with 23 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.800 % in 2001 and a record low of 0.830 % in 2020. Germany DE: Tariff Rate: Applied: Weighted Mean: Primary Products data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Germany – Table DE.World Bank.WDI: Trade Tariffs. Weighted mean applied tariff is the average of effectively applied rates weighted by the product import shares corresponding to each partner country. Data are classified using the Harmonized System of trade at the six- or eight-digit level. Tariff line data were matched to Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) revision 3 codes to define commodity groups and import weights. To the extent possible, specific rates have been converted to their ad valorem equivalent rates and have been included in the calculation of weighted mean tariffs. Import weights were calculated using the United Nations Statistics Division's Commodity Trade (Comtrade) database. Effectively applied tariff rates at the six- and eight-digit product level are averaged for products in each commodity group. When the effectively applied rate is unavailable, the most favored nation rate is used instead. Primary products are commodities classified in SITC revision 3 sections 0-4 plus division 68 (nonferrous metals).;World Bank staff estimates using the World Integrated Trade Solution system, based on tariff data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's Trade and Development's Trade Analysis and Information System (TRAINS) database and global imports data from the United Nations Statistics Division's Comtrade database.;;The tariff data for the European Union (EU) apply to EU Member States in alignment with the EU membership for the respective countries/economies and years. In the context of the tariff data, the EU membership for a given country/economy and year is defined for the entire year during which the country/economy was a member of the EU (irrespective of the date of accession to or withdrawal from the EU within a given year). The tariff data for the EU are, thus, applicable to Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands (EU Member State(s) since 1958), Denmark and Ireland (EU Member State(s) since 1973), the United Kingdom (EU Member State(s) from 1973 until 2020), Greece (EU Member State(s) since 1981), Spain and Portugal (EU Member State(s) since 1986), Austria, Finland, and Sweden (EU Member State(s) since 1995), Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia (EU Member State(s) since 2004), Romania and Bulgaria (EU Member State(s) since 2007), Croatia (EU Member State(s) since 2013). For more information, please revisit the technical note on bilateral applied tariff (https://wits.worldbank.org/Bilateral-Tariff-Technical-Note.html).

Denmark Imports: SITC: EU: Manufactured Goods Classified Chiefly by Material data was reported at 5,917.600 DKK mn in Oct 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 5,700.500 DKK mn for Sep 2018. Denmark Imports: SITC: EU: Manufactured Goods Classified Chiefly by Material data is updated monthly, averaging 4,225.200 DKK mn from Jan 1988 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 370 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6,891.600 DKK mn in Oct 2007 and a record low of 1,764.800 DKK mn in Jan 1988. Denmark Imports: SITC: EU: Manufactured Goods Classified Chiefly by Material data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Denmark. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Denmark – Table DK.JA022: Imports: by Main Standard International Trade Classification and Country.

The European Union's balance of trade in goods is driven by a few of its largest economies. Germany, the EU's pre-eminent economic power, has run a large trade surplus with countries outside the EU over the past two decades, with this surplus more than doubling after the global financial crisis and great recession. Italy also emerged as a large net exporter over the 2010s, along with Ireland, Sweden and France. On the other hand, the Netherlands has by far run the largest trade deficit with non-EU countries among the bloc. Other notable net goods importers among the EU member states include Spain and Poland.

Germany DE: Tariff Rate: Most Favored Nation: Weighted Mean: Primary Products data was reported at 1.870 % in 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2.840 % for 2021. Germany DE: Tariff Rate: Most Favored Nation: Weighted Mean: Primary Products data is updated yearly, averaging 2.840 % from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2022, with 23 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.340 % in 2001 and a record low of 1.870 % in 2022. Germany DE: Tariff Rate: Most Favored Nation: Weighted Mean: Primary Products data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Germany – Table DE.World Bank.WDI: Trade Tariffs. Weighted mean most favored nations tariff is the average of most favored nation rates weighted by the product import shares corresponding to each partner country. Data are classified using the Harmonized System of trade at the six- or eight-digit level. Tariff line data were matched to Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) revision 3 codes to define commodity groups and import weights. Import weights were calculated using the United Nations Statistics Division's Commodity Trade (Comtrade) database. Primary products are commodities classified in SITC revision 3 sections 0-4 plus division 68 (nonferrous metals).;World Bank staff estimates using the World Integrated Trade Solution system, based on tariff data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's Trade and Development's Trade Analysis and Information System (TRAINS) database and global imports data from the United Nations Statistics Division's Comtrade database.;;The tariff data for the European Union (EU) apply to EU Member States in alignment with the EU membership for the respective countries/economies and years. In the context of the tariff data, the EU membership for a given country/economy and year is defined for the entire year during which the country/economy was a member of the EU (irrespective of the date of accession to or withdrawal from the EU within a given year). The tariff data for the EU are, thus, applicable to Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands (EU Member State(s) since 1958), Denmark and Ireland (EU Member State(s) since 1973), the United Kingdom (EU Member State(s) from 1973 until 2020), Greece (EU Member State(s) since 1981), Spain and Portugal (EU Member State(s) since 1986), Austria, Finland, and Sweden (EU Member State(s) since 1995), Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia (EU Member State(s) since 2004), Romania and Bulgaria (EU Member State(s) since 2007), Croatia (EU Member State(s) since 2013). For more information, please revisit the technical note on bilateral applied tariff (https://wits.worldbank.org/Bilateral-Tariff-Technical-Note.html).

The statistic shows a ranking of the top 20 import countries worldwide in 2023. In 2023, the U.S. was the leading import country in the world with an import value of about **** trillion U.S. dollars. Import and export worldwide Import and export are generally important pillars of a country’s economy. The trade balance of a country shows the relationship between the values of a country’s imports and exports. If the balance is positive, i.e. if the value of exports is higher than that of imports, it is called a trade surplus. If it is negative and import values exceed export values, it represents a trade deficit. Worldwide trade is regulated by the World Trade Organization (WTO). It provides a framework for trade agreements and helps in resolving disputes. Since its foundation in 1995, more than 150 countries have become members of the WTO and obligated themselves to follow its regulations. The worldwide export volume in trade since 1950 has tripled, and a similar development can be observed in the worldwide import trade volume since 1950. Europe is leading the ranking regarding the value of worldwide export volume of trade by region, but the value of goods exported by Asia is almost up to par. Both continents are also the top destination regions of inter-regional trade worldwide. The United States, China, and Germany are the leading import countries worldwide, and also the leading export countries worldwide, albeit in a different order. The top traded goods and commodities are oil and fuel, electronic equipment, and machinery. The volume of commodities traded worldwide has increased dramatically over the past few years.

Historical chart and dataset showing European Union imports by year from 1970 to 2023.

Bulgaria Imports: CIF: Europe: Non EU Balkan Countries: Investment Goods data was reported at 225.200 EUR mn in Dec 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 192.500 EUR mn for Sep 2022. Bulgaria Imports: CIF: Europe: Non EU Balkan Countries: Investment Goods data is updated quarterly, averaging 46.536 EUR mn from Mar 1995 (Median) to Dec 2022, with 112 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 225.200 EUR mn in Dec 2022 and a record low of 1.319 EUR mn in Jun 1997. Bulgaria Imports: CIF: Europe: Non EU Balkan Countries: Investment Goods data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bulgarian National Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bulgaria – Table BG.JA008: Imports: by Main Trade Partners and End Use.

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.

The export trade of the European Union experienced some notable shifts over the two decades since 2002, with China emerging as a significant export market and the United Kingdom losing its place as the EU's single largest export partner. The United Kingdom's declining share of EU exports The UK, which was a member of the European Union until 2020, declined in its importance as an export market for EU producers over this period. Representing over a fifth of the export trade in 2002, the UK now takes only 13 percent of EU exports, and looks likely to be eclipsed by China's growing share in the coming years. The complications to EU-UK trade caused by the UK's exit agreement with the EU is also likely to contribute to slowing trade flows between the two partners. China's emergence as a key export market As with most other areas of the global economy, the past two decades has largely been the story of China's emergence as a key trading partner. China's share of EU exports was comparable to Japan or Norway at the beginning of the period, while it now represents the EU's third largest export market. While this is a significant change, China takes up a much larger share of imports into the EU, where it is the largest single trading partner. As Chinese incomes rise in the coming decades, the significance of China as an export market for EU producers is likely to rise, geopolitical tension notwithstanding. The Euro and exports to the U.S. The EU's export trade with the United States over this period experienced a relative decline in the period running up to 2014, as the Euro appreciated in its value against the U.S. dollar, making European exports more expensive for Americans. This declining share of the EU's export trade taken by the U.S. was reversed in the latter half of the 2010s however, as the Euro depreciated and European exports to the U.S. increased. Issues with Russia Another notable trend over the period was Russia's emergence as a key export market in the mid-2000s, as the Russian economy grew quickly and Russian consumers began to demand EU made products. Russia declined as a market for EU exports after 2014, as trade was complicated by Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, and the subsequent devaluation of the Ruble and collapse in the price of Ural crude oil.

Bulgaria Imports: CIF: Europe: EU Countries: Investment Goods data was reported at 1,368.000 EUR mn in Dec 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,276.000 EUR mn for Sep 2019. Bulgaria Imports: CIF: Europe: EU Countries: Investment Goods data is updated quarterly, averaging 690.255 EUR mn from Mar 1995 (Median) to Dec 2019, with 100 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,419.300 EUR mn in Jun 2019 and a record low of 81.447 EUR mn in Mar 1997. Bulgaria Imports: CIF: Europe: EU Countries: Investment Goods data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bulgarian National Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bulgaria – Table BG.JA008: Imports: by Main Trade Partners and End Use.

Bulgaria Imports: CIF: Europe: Others: Consumer Goods data was reported at 276.500 EUR mn in Dec 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 238.000 EUR mn for Sep 2022. Bulgaria Imports: CIF: Europe: Others: Consumer Goods data is updated quarterly, averaging 26.502 EUR mn from Mar 1995 (Median) to Dec 2022, with 112 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 276.500 EUR mn in Dec 2022 and a record low of 2.918 EUR mn in Mar 1997. Bulgaria Imports: CIF: Europe: Others: Consumer Goods data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bulgarian National Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bulgaria – Table BG.JA008: Imports: by Main Trade Partners and End Use.

Denmark Imports: SITC: Non EU: Manufactured Goods Classified Chiefly by Material data was reported at 1,857.600 DKK mn in May 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,633.100 DKK mn for Apr 2018. Denmark Imports: SITC: Non EU: Manufactured Goods Classified Chiefly by Material data is updated monthly, averaging 852.200 DKK mn from Jan 1988 (Median) to May 2018, with 365 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,999.600 DKK mn in Jan 2018 and a record low of 366.000 DKK mn in Jul 1988. Denmark Imports: SITC: Non EU: Manufactured Goods Classified Chiefly by Material data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Denmark. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Denmark – Table DK.JA022: Imports: by Main Standard International Trade Classification and Country.