Trade lane

What China buys from Saudi Arabia.

China imported USD 6.3bn of manufactured and processed goods from Saudi Arabia in 2024, down 30 per cent on 2022. That is 1 per cent of everything China imported in these lines, and Saudi Arabia is its number 23 source. Below: the 50 largest lines, the fastest growing, where Saudi Arabia dominates, and where another country ships the same line for less a tonne.

Trade year 2024, compared with 2022. Unit values are customs values per tonne, declared at the border, not product prices.

USD 6.3bnfrom Saudi Arabia in 2024 (USD 9.0bn in 2022)
1 per centof China's imports in these lines, USD 986bn from every source
111product lines worth USD 1m or more on this lane
#23Saudi Arabia's rank among China's sources
The top 50

The largest lines on the lane, by 2024 value.

Each line shows what China paid Saudi Arabia for it at the border, Saudi Arabia's share of everything China imported in that line, how it changed since 2022, and the customs unit value per tonne where the weight is recorded. Together they are 96 per cent of the lane.

  1. 1

    Alcohols: acyclic, diols: ethylene glycol (ethanediol)HS 290531

    Share of China's imports49 per cent, 33 source countries
    Changeup 64 per cent on 2022 (USD 1.0bn in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 498 a tonne, 3,378,230 tonnes
    USD 1.7bnin 2024
  2. 2

    Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of 0.94 or moreHS 390120

    Share of China's imports16 per cent, 59 source countries
    Changedown 29 per cent on 2022 (USD 1.2bn in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 888 a tonne, 958,358 tonnes
    USD 851min 2024
  3. 3

    Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of less than 0.94HS 390110

    Share of China's imports14 per cent, 63 source countries
    Changedown 7 per cent on 2022 (USD 654m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 2,001 a tonne, 305,214 tonnes
    USD 611min 2024
  4. 4

    Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers, having a specific gravity of less than 0.94HS 390140

    Share of China's imports10 per cent, 53 source countries
    Changedown 54 per cent on 2022 (USD 1.3bn in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 620 a tonne, 956,712 tonnes
    USD 593min 2024
  5. 5

    Cyclic hydrocarbons: styreneHS 290250

    Share of China's imports49 per cent, 15 source countries
    Changedown 75 per cent on 2022 (USD 893m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,127 a tonne, 198,791 tonnes
    USD 224min 2024
  6. 6

    Alcohols: saturated monohydric, methanol (methyl alcohol)HS 290511

    Share of China's imports6 per cent, 36 source countries
    Changedown 31 per cent on 2022 (USD 289m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 256 a tonne, 781,157 tonnes
    USD 200min 2024
  7. 7

    Amino-resins: n.e.c. in heading no. 3909, in primary forms, poly(methylene phenyl isocyanate) (Crude MDI, polymeric MDI)HS 390931

    Share of China's imports35 per cent, 36 source countries
    Changedown 22 per cent on 2022 (USD 221m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,413 a tonne, 121,720 tonnes
    USD 172min 2024
  8. 8

    Propylene, other olefin polymers: polypropylene in primary formsHS 390210

    Share of China's imports6 per cent, 76 source countries
    Changedown 64 per cent on 2022 (USD 355m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 971 a tonne, 132,001 tonnes
    USD 128min 2024
  9. 9

    Rubber: synthetic, ethylene-propylene-non-conjugated diene rubber (EPDM), in primary forms or in plates, sheets or stripHS 400270

    Share of China's imports32 per cent, 33 source countries
    Changedown 13 per cent on 2022 (USD 140m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,834 a tonne, 66,356 tonnes
    USD 122min 2024
  10. 10

    Ether-alcohols and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives: monobutyl ethers of ethylene glycol or of diethylene glycolHS 290943

    Share of China's imports46 per cent, 20 source countries
    Changedown 13 per cent on 2022 (USD 137m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,135 a tonne, 104,949 tonnes
    USD 119min 2024
  11. 11

    Monophenols: phenol (hydroxybenzene) and its saltsHS 290711

    Share of China's imports48 per cent, 20 source countries
    Changedown 44 per cent on 2022 (USD 206m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,036 a tonne, 111,276 tonnes
    USD 115min 2024
  12. 12

    Sulphur: sublimed or precipitated, colloidal sulphurHS 280200

    Share of China's imports67 per cent, 13 source countries
    Changeup 8 per cent on 2022 (USD 100m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 110 a tonne, 987,040 tonnes
    USD 109min 2024
  13. 13

    Polyethers other than polyacetals, and bis(polyoxyethylene) methylphosphonate: in primary formsHS 390729

    Share of China's imports8 per cent, 51 source countries
    Changedown 37 per cent on 2022 (USD 140m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 966 a tonne, 91,138 tonnes
    USD 88min 2024
  14. 14

    Polycarbonates: in primary formsHS 390740

    Share of China's imports4 per cent, 60 source countries
    Changedown 69 per cent on 2022 (USD 266m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,245 a tonne, 66,122 tonnes
    USD 82min 2024
  15. 15

    Ketones: acyclic, without other oxygen function, acetoneHS 291411

    Share of China's imports29 per cent, 15 source countries
    Changedown 47 per cent on 2022 (USD 141m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 751 a tonne, 100,112 tonnes
    USD 75min 2024
  16. 16

    Cyclic hydrocarbons: p-xyleneHS 290243

    Share of China's imports1 per cent, 19 source countries
    Changedown 11 per cent on 2022 (USD 71m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 818 a tonne, 77,402 tonnes
    USD 63min 2024
  17. 17

    Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymersHS 390130

    Share of China's imports5 per cent, 38 source countries
    Changedown 64 per cent on 2022 (USD 161m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,099 a tonne, 52,572 tonnes
    USD 58min 2024
  18. 18

    Polyacetals: in primary formsHS 390710

    Share of China's imports7 per cent, 46 source countries
    Changedown 1 per cent on 2022 (USD 58m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,591 a tonne, 35,980 tonnes
    USD 57min 2024
  19. 19

    Propylene, other olefin polymers: propylene copolymers in primary formsHS 390230

    Share of China's imports4 per cent, 59 source countries
    Changedown 52 per cent on 2022 (USD 119m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 971 a tonne, 58,538 tonnes
    USD 57min 2024
  20. 20

    Rubber: synthetic, halo-isobutene-isoprene rubber (CIIR or BIIR), in primary forms or in plates, sheets or stripHS 400239

    Share of China's imports14 per cent, 24 source countries
    Changedown 49 per cent on 2022 (USD 95m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 48min 2024
  21. 21

    Ether-alcohols and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives: 2,2-oxydiethanol (diethylene glycol, digol)HS 290941

    Share of China's imports30 per cent, 19 source countries
    Changedown 79 per cent on 2022 (USD 200m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 498 a tonne, 86,000 tonnes
    USD 43min 2024
  22. 22

    Acrylic polymers: poly(methyl methacrylate), in primary formsHS 390610

    Share of China's imports12 per cent, 48 source countries
    Changedown 6 per cent on 2022 (USD 45m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,673 a tonne, 25,207 tonnes
    USD 42min 2024
  23. 23

    Epoxides, epoxyalcohols, epoxyphenols and epoxyethers: with a three-membered ring and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives, methyloxirane...HS 291020

    Share of China's imports14 per cent, 7 source countries
    Changedown 85 per cent on 2022 (USD 250m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 989 a tonne, 38,512 tonnes
    USD 38min 2024
  24. 24

    Machinery: parts for filtering or purifying liquids or gasesHS 842199

    Share of China's imports3 per cent, 91 source countries
    Changedown 64 per cent on 2022 (USD 94m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 29,656 a tonne, 1,129 tonnes
    USD 33min 2024
  25. 25

    Alcohols: saturated monohydric, butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol)HS 290513

    Share of China's imports26 per cent, 17 source countries
    Changedown 28 per cent on 2022 (USD 45m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 991 a tonne, 32,830 tonnes
    USD 33min 2024
  26. 26

    Vehicles: parts of the vehicles of heading no. 8709HS 870990

    Share of China's imports73 per cent, 32 source countries
    Changeup 80 per cent on 2022 (USD 17m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 30,821 a tonne, 1,016 tonnes
    USD 31min 2024
  27. 27

    Amine-function compounds: acyclic polyamines and their derivatives, and salts thereof, n.e.c. in item no. 2921.2HS 292129

    Share of China's imports17 per cent, 35 source countries
    Changedown 39 per cent on 2022 (USD 49m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 3,628 a tonne, 8,225 tonnes
    USD 30min 2024
  28. 28

    Alcohols: saturated monohydric, octanol (octyl alcohol) and isomers thereofHS 290516

    Share of China's imports7 per cent, 21 source countries
    Changedown 30 per cent on 2022 (USD 41m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,197 a tonne, 23,790 tonnes
    USD 28min 2024
  29. 29

    Cyclic hydrocarbons: benzeneHS 290220

    Share of China's imports1 per cent, 17 source countries
    Changedown 15 per cent on 2022 (USD 33m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,044 a tonne, 26,806 tonnes
    USD 28min 2024
  30. 30

    Pumps and compressors: for air, vacuum or gas, n.e.c. in heading no. 8414HS 841480

    Share of China's imports2 per cent, 77 source countries
    Changefrom USD 3k in 2022
    Unit valueUSD 44,149 a tonne, 612 tonnes
    USD 27min 2024
  31. 31

    Ammonia: anhydrousHS 281410

    Share of China's imports15 per cent, 13 source countries
    Changedown 42 per cent on 2022 (USD 43m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 271 a tonne, 92,282 tonnes
    USD 25min 2024
  32. 32

    Alcohols: saturated monohydric, butanols excluding item no. 2905.13HS 290514

    Share of China's imports34 per cent, 20 source countries
    Changedown 45 per cent on 2022 (USD 44m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 722 a tonne, 33,800 tonnes
    USD 24min 2024
  33. 33

    Clothing: parts of garments or of clothing accessories, other than those of heading no. 6212 (not knitted or crocheted)HS 621790

    Share of China's imports35 per cent, 53 source countries
    Changenew since 2022
    Unit valueUSD 75,703 a tonne, 311 tonnes
    USD 24min 2024
  34. 34

    Amino-alcohols, other than those containing more than one kind of oxygen function: their ethers and esters: salts thereof, diethanolamine and its saltsHS 292212

    Share of China's imports83 per cent, 14 source countries
    Changedown 52 per cent on 2022 (USD 45m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 671 a tonne, 32,048 tonnes
    USD 22min 2024
  35. 35

    Amine-function compounds: aromatic polyamines and their derivatives, other than item no. 2921.51HS 292159

    Share of China's imports39 per cent, 28 source countries
    Changedown 42 per cent on 2022 (USD 37m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 4,574 a tonne, 4,668 tonnes
    USD 21min 2024
  36. 36

    Compressors: air compressors mounted on a wheeled chassis for towingHS 841440

    Share of China's imports45 per cent, 33 source countries
    Changenew since 2022
    Unit valueUSD 44,646 a tonne, 409 tonnes
    USD 18min 2024
  37. 37

    Alcohols: saturated monohydric, n.e.c. in item no. 2905.1HS 290519

    Share of China's imports5 per cent, 33 source countries
    Changeup 2 per cent on 2022 (USD 18m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 4,299 a tonne, 4,150 tonnes
    USD 18min 2024
  38. 38

    Nitrogen-function compounds: n.e.c. in chapter 29, isocyanatesHS 292910

    Share of China's imports5 per cent, 32 source countries
    Changedown 45 per cent on 2022 (USD 32m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,544 a tonne, 11,376 tonnes
    USD 18min 2024
  39. 39

    Drawing, marking-out equipment and mathematical instruments: parts and accessoriesHS 901790

    Share of China's imports47 per cent, 34 source countries
    Changenew since 2022
    Unit valueUSD 178,889 a tonne, 92 tonnes
    USD 16min 2024
  40. 40

    Amine-function compounds: acyclic polyamines and their derivatives, ethylenediamine and its saltsHS 292121

    Share of China's imports72 per cent, 23 source countries
    Changeup 19 per cent on 2022 (USD 13m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 930 a tonne, 17,036 tonnes
    USD 16min 2024
  41. 41

    Reception and transmission apparatus: for use with the apparatus of heading no. 8524 to 8528, excluding aerials and aerial reflectorsHS 852990

    Share of China's importsunder 1 per cent, 83 source countries
    Changefrom USD 1k in 2022
    Unit valueUSD 201,972 a tonne, 69 tonnes
    USD 14min 2024
  42. 42

    Telephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networksHS 851713

    Share of China's imports1 per cent, 72 source countries
    Changefrom USD 13k in 2022
    Unit valueUSD 1.6m a tonne, 7.2 tonnes
    USD 11min 2024
  43. 43

    Alcohols: aromatic and derivatives, other than benzyl alcoholHS 290629

    Share of China's imports37 per cent, 26 source countries
    Changenew since 2022
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 11min 2024
  44. 44

    Styrene polymers: acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymers, in primary formsHS 390330

    Share of China's imports1 per cent, 63 source countries
    Changeup 12 per cent on 2022 (USD 10m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 2,090 a tonne, 5,142 tonnes
    USD 11min 2024
  45. 45

    Rubber: synthetic, butadiene rubber (BR), in primary forms or in plates, sheets or stripHS 400220

    Share of China's imports2 per cent, 32 source countries
    Changedown 50 per cent on 2022 (USD 21m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,493 a tonne, 7,040 tonnes
    USD 11min 2024
  46. 46

    Ether-alcohols and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives: n.e.c. in item no. 2909.4HS 290949

    Share of China's imports6 per cent, 35 source countries
    Changedown 45 per cent on 2022 (USD 17m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,123 a tonne, 8,287 tonnes
    USD 9min 2024
  47. 47

    Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, n.e.c. in heading no. 3901HS 390190

    Share of China's imports1 per cent, 57 source countries
    Changedown 39 per cent on 2022 (USD 15m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 2,394 a tonne, 3,747 tonnes
    USD 9min 2024
  48. 48

    Ceramic tableware, kitchenware, other household articles and toilet articles: other than of porcelain or chinaHS 691200

    Share of China's imports28 per cent, 59 source countries
    Changefrom USD 35k in 2022
    Unit valueUSD 27,851 a tonne, 314 tonnes
    USD 9min 2024
  49. 49

    Organic surface-active agents: non-ionic (other than soap), whether or not put up for retail saleHS 340242

    Share of China's imports2 per cent, 46 source countries
    Changeup 69 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,129 a tonne, 7,099 tonnes
    USD 8min 2024
  50. 50

    Electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542HS 854239

    Share of China's importsunder 1 per cent, 109 source countries
    Changenew since 2022
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 8min 2024
Fastest growing

The lines that grew most since 2022.

Lines worth at least USD 5m in 2022, ranked by growth to 2024 in current dollars. A fast rise can be a new product, a shift away from another source, or a price change; the record does not say which.

  1. Vehicles: parts of the vehicles of heading no. 8709HS 870990USD 31m in 2024, up 80 per cent on 2022 (USD 17m in 2022). Saudi Arabia supplies 73 per cent of the line.
  2. Alcohols: acyclic, diols: ethylene glycol (ethanediol)HS 290531USD 1.7bn in 2024, up 64 per cent on 2022 (USD 1.0bn in 2022). Saudi Arabia supplies 49 per cent of the line.
  3. Amine-function compounds: acyclic polyamines and their derivatives, ethylenediamine and its saltsHS 292121USD 16m in 2024, up 19 per cent on 2022 (USD 13m in 2022). Saudi Arabia supplies 72 per cent of the line.
  4. Styrene polymers: acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymers, in primary formsHS 390330USD 11m in 2024, up 12 per cent on 2022 (USD 10m in 2022). Saudi Arabia supplies 1 per cent of the line.
  5. Sulphur: sublimed or precipitated, colloidal sulphurHS 280200USD 109m in 2024, up 8 per cent on 2022 (USD 100m in 2022). Saudi Arabia supplies 67 per cent of the line.
  6. Alcohols: saturated monohydric, n.e.c. in item no. 2905.1HS 290519USD 18m in 2024, up 2 per cent on 2022 (USD 18m in 2022). Saudi Arabia supplies 5 per cent of the line.
Where Saudi Arabia dominates

Lines where Saudi Arabia supplies 60 per cent or more.

The largest lines worth USD 1m or more where Saudi Arabia ships at least 60 per cent of what China imports. This is supply concentration: how much of the line depends on one source country.

  1. Sulphur: sublimed or precipitated, colloidal sulphurHS 28020067 per cent of China's imports of the line, USD 109m; 13 source countries in all.
  2. Vehicles: parts of the vehicles of heading no. 8709HS 87099073 per cent of China's imports of the line, USD 31m; 32 source countries in all.
  3. Amino-alcohols, other than those containing more than one kind of oxygen function: their ethers and esters: salts thereof, diethanolamine and its saltsHS 29221283 per cent of China's imports of the line, USD 22m; 14 source countries in all.
  4. Amine-function compounds: acyclic polyamines and their derivatives, ethylenediamine and its saltsHS 29212172 per cent of China's imports of the line, USD 16m; 23 source countries in all.
  5. Stone: setts, curbstones and flagstones, of natural stone (except slate)HS 68010090 per cent of China's imports of the line, USD 4m; 17 source countries in all.
Another source, lower unit value

Where another country ships the same line for at least 20 per cent less a tonne.

Lines worth USD 5m or more where Saudi Arabia's unit value is recorded and another country also ships at least USD 5m of the same line to China at a unit value at least 20 per cent lower. The largest such source is named. The same heading can hold different grades, so a lower figure is a question to ask, not a like-for-like price.

  1. Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of less than 0.94HS 390110Saudi Arabia: USD 611m at USD 2,001 a tonne. United States: USD 620m (14 per cent of the line) at USD 1,269 a tonne, 37 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 1,206 a tonne.
  2. Propylene, other olefin polymers: polypropylene in primary formsHS 390210Saudi Arabia: USD 128m at USD 971 a tonne. Japan: USD 173m (8 per cent of the line) at USD 649 a tonne, 33 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 1,203 a tonne.
  3. Polycarbonates: in primary formsHS 390740Saudi Arabia: USD 82m at USD 1,245 a tonne. Indonesia: USD 16m (1 per cent of the line) at USD 907 a tonne, 27 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 2,236 a tonne.
  4. Acrylic polymers: poly(methyl methacrylate), in primary formsHS 390610Saudi Arabia: USD 42m at USD 1,673 a tonne. Malaysia: USD 21m (6 per cent of the line) at USD 1,070 a tonne, 36 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 2,481 a tonne.
  5. Machinery: parts for filtering or purifying liquids or gasesHS 842199Saudi Arabia: USD 33m at USD 29,656 a tonne. Taiwan: USD 38m (3 per cent of the line) at USD 16,589 a tonne, 44 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 34,042 a tonne.
  6. Alcohols: saturated monohydric, butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol)HS 290513Saudi Arabia: USD 33m at USD 991 a tonne. South Africa: USD 12m (10 per cent of the line) at USD 742 a tonne, 25 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 838 a tonne.
  7. Amine-function compounds: acyclic polyamines and their derivatives, and salts thereof, n.e.c. in item no. 2921.2HS 292129Saudi Arabia: USD 30m at USD 3,628 a tonne. Canada: USD 16m (9 per cent of the line) at USD 2,533 a tonne, 30 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 5,174 a tonne.
  8. Cyclic hydrocarbons: benzeneHS 290220Saudi Arabia: USD 28m at USD 1,044 a tonne. Kazakhstan: USD 19m (under 1 per cent of the line) at USD 664 a tonne, 36 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 981 a tonne.
  9. Pumps and compressors: for air, vacuum or gas, n.e.c. in heading no. 8414HS 841480Saudi Arabia: USD 27m at USD 44,149 a tonne. Japan: USD 127m (9 per cent of the line) at USD 28,771 a tonne, 35 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 30,525 a tonne.
  10. Clothing: parts of garments or of clothing accessories, other than those of heading no. 6212 (not knitted or crocheted)HS 621790Saudi Arabia: USD 24m at USD 75,703 a tonne. South Korea: USD 22m (33 per cent of the line) at USD 32,156 a tonne, 57 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 101,307 a tonne.
  11. Compressors: air compressors mounted on a wheeled chassis for towingHS 841440Saudi Arabia: USD 18m at USD 44,646 a tonne. Philippines: USD 8m (21 per cent of the line) at USD 17,073 a tonne, 62 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 21,044 a tonne.
  12. Alcohols: saturated monohydric, n.e.c. in item no. 2905.1HS 290519Saudi Arabia: USD 18m at USD 4,299 a tonne. United States: USD 29m (9 per cent of the line) at USD 3,090 a tonne, 28 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 2,792 a tonne.
  13. Reception and transmission apparatus: for use with the apparatus of heading no. 8524 to 8528, excluding aerials and aerial reflectorsHS 852990Saudi Arabia: USD 14m at USD 201,972 a tonne. Taiwan: USD 269m (2 per cent of the line) at USD 109,579 a tonne, 46 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 221,208 a tonne.
  14. Telephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networksHS 851713Saudi Arabia: USD 11m at USD 1.6m a tonne. Czech Republic: USD 43m (4 per cent of the line) at USD 425,442 a tonne, 73 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 1.0m a tonne.
  15. Styrene polymers: acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymers, in primary formsHS 390330Saudi Arabia: USD 11m at USD 2,090 a tonne. Taiwan: USD 430m (35 per cent of the line) at USD 1,473 a tonne, 30 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 1,099 a tonne.
  16. Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, n.e.c. in heading no. 3901HS 390190Saudi Arabia: USD 9m at USD 2,394 a tonne. South Korea: USD 159m (16 per cent of the line) at USD 599 a tonne, 75 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 1,156 a tonne.
  17. Ceramic tableware, kitchenware, other household articles and toilet articles: other than of porcelain or chinaHS 691200Saudi Arabia: USD 9m at USD 27,851 a tonne. Japan: USD 7m (22 per cent of the line) at USD 4,513 a tonne, 84 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 15,693 a tonne.
  18. Anionic organic surface-active agents (other than soap): linear alkylbenzene sulphonic acids and their salts, whether or not put up for retail saleHS 340231Saudi Arabia: USD 6m at USD 1,989 a tonne. South Korea: USD 6m (31 per cent of the line) at USD 1,466 a tonne, 26 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 1,989 a tonne.
What this record says

What crossed the border, what it was worth, and what it weighed.

Every figure on this page is from CEPII's BACI file, which reconciles what each pair of countries reports to the UN about the same shipment. Trade year 2024, compared with 2022. A line is one six-digit customs heading (HS 2022). Values are in US dollars at the border; growth is in current dollars, so part of any change is price, not volume.

Unit value. Unit values are customs values per tonne, declared at the border, not product prices. It is the value of a line divided by its declared weight, so it mixes grades, models and qualities under one heading. It is shown only where the weight is recorded, at least three source countries of USD 100k or more ship the line to China with a weight, and the figure sits within a factor of five of the middle of those sources. Outside that band it is treated as a recording problem and left out.

Share is Saudi Arabia's part of everything China imported in that line, from every source. Sources counts the countries that shipped any of it.

Scope. Manufactured and processed goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, without ores, fuels, precious metals, scrap, raw farm output and one-off capital and defence purchases: the same rule as the Made here pages.

What it does not say

A record of trade, not a shopping list.

What this record does not say: what sells at retail, what margin a trade leaves, how crowded the marketplaces are, or how much of a flow is re-exported through entrepots such as Hong Kong and Singapore.

A large line is not proof of an opening, and a lower unit value from another country is not proof the goods are the same. Tariffs, standards, freight, payment terms, lead times and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. Nothing on this page is a forecast, a recommendation or a promise. No supplier company is named, because the record holds none.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601. Edition of 2026-11-03.

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