Top Products Imported from China: An Overview

Planning to import products from China and not sure which products are manufactured in the country? In this article, we list some of the top imported products from China. The product list includes electronics, textiles, furniture, footwear, and other products.

Main Sources

• The Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC)
• Statista

Product Categories

• Electronics
• Apparel and Textiles
• Chemicals Products
• Furniture
• Vehicles and Parts
• Ceramic Products
• Footwear
• Glass Products

1. Electronics

China has been a major electronic product exporting country since the 1990s. China’s export volume of electrical, and electronic equipment is worth USD 710 billion in 2020 (United Nations COMTRADE database). Also, according to the same source, the export volume of electronic and electrical products took up 27% of the total export volume of China in the same year.

Chinese manufacturers are capable of producing a wide variety of electronic and electrical products, components, and parts for different industries. Products that are exported by China include monolithic integrated circuits, electronic printed circuits, and telephones parts.

Examples of famous electronic companies that have their products assembled in China or purchase components from China include Apple, Siemens, and Nintendo.

Main Products

Below are some of the top exported electronic products and parts from China:

• Integrated circuits
• Wireless phones and parts
• Diode and semiconductors
• Lamps and lighting fixtures

Main Production Areas

Guangdong province in southern China is arguably the center of the world for electronics manufacturing and assembly. Most electronics manufacturers in Guangdong are concentrated in and around Shenzhen, Dongguan, Guangzhou, Zhongshan, and Zhuhai. Chances are that the device you’re reading this on was made in one of these cities.

That said, other electronics manufacturing clusters exist in China. Examples in include Ningbo in Zhejiang, and the inland provinces of Henan and Sichuan.

Trade Fairs

Here are some examples of trade fairs in China showcasing consumer electronic products:

• Electronica China
• Asia International Consumer Electronics Show
• Electronic Cigarette Exhibition
• Canton Fair

Main Export Destinations

The countries that import the most electronic and electrical products from China include (Trading Economics):

• United States
• Japan
• Germany
• United Kingdom
• Netherlands

Read More

• Importing Electronics from China
• List of PCB and PCBA Manufacturers in China
• Buying LED Bulb Lights from Chinese Manufacturers: A Complete Guide
• Importing Solar Panels from China: Factory Lists, Technical Specs & More

2. Apparel and Textiles

China is a major producer of apparel and textile products. In 2020, the export volume of apparel and accessories products in China reached USD 170.3 billion. (Statista)

China exports a wide variety of apparel and textiles products made from different materials, including cotton, cashmere, leather, and synthetic materials. Other than producing clothing for casualwear purposes, Chinese manufacturers also produce personal protective wear, medical/lab wear, and products that serve many other different functions.

Examples of famous apparels brands that produce some of their products in China include Levis, Calvin Klein, and Abercrombie & Fitch.

Main Products

Here are some examples of the most exported textiles products form China:

• Clothing and hosiery products
• Bedding covers
• Home furnishing products
• Fabrics

Main Production Area

Apparel and textiles suppliers can be found all over China. That being said, most textiles manufacturers in the country are based in the following provinces:

• Zhejiang
• Fujian
• Guangdong

Trade Fairs

There are many trade fairs for apparel and textile products held in China, including:

• Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics
• Yiwu Hosiery & Garment Industries
• Hometex – Home Furnishing Expo Shenzhen
• Canton Fair

Main Export Destinations

These are some of the main countries in which China exported its apparel and textile products in 2019 (World Integrated Trade Solution):

• United States
• Japan
• Vietnam
• Korea
• Germany

Read More

• Clothing Manufacturers in China: How to Find the Right Factory
• Children’s & Baby Clothing Manufacturers in China: A Complete Guide
• List of Organic Cotton (GOTS) Manufacturers in China: An Overview

3. Chemicals Products

In 2020, China exported over USD 142 billion in chemical products, which made it the third-largest exporter of chemical products in the world, following Germany and the Netherlands (The Observatory of Economic Complexity).

The chemical products exported by Chinese manufacturers include organic and inorganic chemical compounds. These products are used for agricultural, industrial, or consumer-facing purposes, such as:

• Fertilizers
• Synthetic resins
• Dyes
• Chemicals used in beauty products and cleaning agents

Examples of well-known chemical companies that have facilities in China include Dupont and 3M.

Main Products

Top products exported chemicals from China include:

• Antibiotics
• Amino compounds (mainly for biotechnology applications)
• Nucleic acids (mainly for pharmaceutical applications)
• Fertilizers

Trade Fairs

Here are some examples of trade fairs that feature the chemical products in China:

• Guangzhou Surface Finishing & Painting Exhibition
• International Guangzhou Coatings Industry Expo and Coating Raw Material Procurement Conference (ICIE)
• Shanghai International Chemical Technology & Equipment Fair

Main Export Destinations

The main countries where China exported chemicals in 2019 include:

• United States
• India
• Korea
• Japan
• Brazil

4. Furniture

In 2020, China exported around USD 69 billion in furniture products, which ranked first in the world, followed by Poland, Germany, Vietnam, Italy, and Mexico (Statista).

A majority of Chinese furniture manufacturers provide ODM, and OEM services to business or individual buyers. They produce a wide variety of furniture products for residential and public spaces such as kitchens, offices, and hotels. This furniture can be customized with different materials, including fabric, wood, metal, and plastic

Examples of international famous brands that source or produce parts of their products in China include IKEA and Pottery Barn.

Main Products

The most exported furniture by China in 2020 include (Trend Economy):

• Metal furniture
• Wooden furniture
• Furniture parts
• Plastic furniture

Main Production Area

Many furniture manufacturers in China can be found in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong provinces.

Trade Fairs

Here are some furniture trade fairs in China:

• China International Furniture Fair (CIFF Shanghai)
• China International Furniture Fair (CIFF Guangzhou)
• China International Furniture Expo
• Shenzhen International Furniture Exhibition
• Canton Fair

Main Export Destinations

The top export destinations of furniture produced by China in 2020 include (Trend Economy):

• United States
• Japan
• Australia
• United Kingdom
• Malaysia

Read More

• Importing Furniture from China: A Complete Guide
• List of Prefab Home Manufacturers in China: Our Top 7 Picks

5. Vehicles and Parts

In 2020, China recorded an export value of vehicles and parts of around USD 32 billion, making it the second-largest exporter of vehicles and parts globally, ranking after Germany.

The supply chain of vehicles and parts in China has been sophisticatedly developed in the past few decades. Buyers can find a wide range of components and parts for the vehicles, such as electric motors, motor vehicle bodies, and mechanical and electronic components.

Main Products

Here we list some examples of vehicle parts and components that are exported by Chinese manufacturers:

• Brake system parts
• Drive axles with differential for motor vehicles
• Steering wheels
• Columns and boxes for motor vehicles

Main Production Area

Many auto part suppliers can be found in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shandong, and Tianjin. Auto electronics suppliers can also be found in Guangdong province.

Trade Fairs

Here are some trade shows showcasing vehicle parts and components for international buyers:

• Chengdu International Trade Fair for Automotive Parts and Aftermarket Services (CAPAS Chengdu)
• CIEX Automobile Equipment Exhibition (TAMF)
• China International Automobile Service Chain & Supplies, Wearable Parts, Warranty Equipment Exhibition (CIAACE)
• Canton Fair

Main Export Destinations

Here are some of the top importing countries of vehicle parts from China in 2020 (The Observatory of Economic Complexity):

• United States
• Japan
• South Korea
• Mexico
• Canada

Read More

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6. Ceramic Products

The exported value of ceramic products from China in 2020 reached USD 25 billion, making China the biggest exporter of ceramic products in the world, followed by the United States, Spain, and Vietnam (The Observatory of Economic Complexity).

China is well-known for its production and export of white and blue porcelains. They are used as table and kitchenware, home decoration, or art collection. Jingdezhen is the most famous city in China for its enamelware workmanship since the 14th century. In modern days, there are various workshops and factories clustered in Jingdezhen that produce and export ceramic products.

Main Products

Chinese manufacturers produce and export many different ceramics products, including:

• Tableware (sauce dipping containers, candle holders)
• Kitchenware (knives, spoons)
• Building materials (floor tiles, wall tiles)

Trade Fairs

Trade fairs for ceramic products in China include:

• Guangzhou Ceramics Exhibition
• China International Ceramic & Bathroom Fair Foshan – CeramBath
• Kitchen & Bath China – KBC
• Canton Fair

Main Export Destinations

Below are some of the top export destinations of ceramic products from China in 2020 (Trend Economy):

• United States
• Vietnam
• Korea
• Saudi Arabia
• Malaysia

Read More

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7. Footwear

China is the leading footwear producer in the world. Its export volume of footwear in 2020 amounted to 7.4 billion pairs (Statista).

China produces and exports a wide variety of footwear that are used for different purposes, such as sports shoes, fashion shoes, and special work shoes. These shoes can be made of different materials such as rubber, plastics, textiles, and leather.

Examples of famous footwear brands that have some of their products made in China include Adidas, Nike, Reebok, and New Balance.

Main Products

Below are examples of some of the most exported footwear from China in 2020:

• Sports footwear (tennis shoes, basketball shoes, gym shoes)
• Leather shoes
• Leisure shoes
• Slipper shoes
• Children’s shoes
• Work shoes

Main Production Area

Fujian in southeast China is often considered the main hub for footwear manufacturing in China. Many of the suppliers are located in and around the city of Quanzhou.

Trade Fairs

Trade fairs held in China for the footwear industry include:

• Shanghai International Footwear Exhibition
• Shanghai International Shoe Industry Expo
• International Leather Shoe Machine Shoe Exhibition (International Leather Shoe Machine Shoe Exhibition)
• Canton Fair

Main Export Destinations

The top countries to which China exported footwear in 2020 include:

• United States
• Japan
• Germany
• United Kingdom
• Belgium

Read More

• Importing Shoes and Footwear From China: A Complete Guide
• Yiwu Wholesale Markets – Buying Small Volumes from China

8. Glass Products

The exported value of glass and glassware from China amounted to around USD 7.3 billion in 2019 (Statista), making China one of the biggest glass product exporters in the world.

China produces and exports a wide variety of glasses and glassware, including tempered glass, flat glass, and patterned glass. These glasses are used in the industries of construction, home products, precision instruments, and others.

Main Products

Examples of glass products that are produced and exported by China include:

• Tempered glass
• Flat glass
• Patterned glass
• Reflective glass
• Coated glass
• Laminated glass

Main Production Area

Glassware producers are often located in Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, and in Shandong province.

Trade Fairs

Here we list some trade fairs for glasses and glassware in China:

• China Glass Expo
• Hong Kong Optical Fair
• Bau China
• Canton Fair

Main Export Destinations

Below are some of the top export destinations of glass and glassware from China in 2020 (Trend Economy):

• United States
• Hong Kong
• Vietnam
• Korea
• India