Trade lane
What China buys from the United Arab Emirates.
China imported USD 4.0bn of manufactured and processed goods from the United Arab Emirates in 2024, down 42 per cent on 2022. That is under 1 per cent of everything China imported in these lines, and the United Arab Emirates is its number 30 source. Below: the 50 largest lines, the fastest growing, where the United Arab Emirates 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 4.0bnfrom the United Arab Emirates in 2024 (USD 6.8bn in 2022)
under 1 per centof China's imports in these lines, USD 986bn from every source
58product lines worth USD 1m or more on this lane
#30the United Arab Emirates's rank among China's sources
The top 50
The largest lines on the lane, by 2024 value.
Each line shows what China paid the United Arab Emirates for it at the border, the United Arab Emirates'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 99 per cent of the lane.
-
1
Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of 0.94 or moreHS 390120
Share of China's imports22 per cent, 59 source countriesChangedown 2 per cent on 2022 (USD 1.2bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 959 a tonne, 1,268,507 tonnesUSD 1.2bnin 2024 -
2
Alcohols: saturated monohydric, methanol (methyl alcohol)HS 290511
Share of China's imports26 per cent, 36 source countriesChangefrom USD 871k in 2022Unit valueUSD 295 a tonne, 3,088,428 tonnesUSD 910min 2024 -
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 countriesChangeup 22 per cent on 2022 (USD 500m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,179 a tonne, 516,192 tonnesUSD 609min 2024 -
4
Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers, having a specific gravity of less than 0.94HS 390140
Share of China's imports6 per cent, 53 source countriesChangeup 4 per cent on 2022 (USD 359m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 989 a tonne, 376,770 tonnesUSD 373min 2024 -
5
Propylene, other olefin polymers: polypropylene in primary formsHS 390210
Share of China's imports16 per cent, 76 source countriesChangedown 17 per cent on 2022 (USD 428m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 950 a tonne, 372,268 tonnesUSD 354min 2024 -
6
Propylene, other olefin polymers: propylene copolymers in primary formsHS 390230
Share of China's imports12 per cent, 59 source countriesChangeup 9 per cent on 2022 (USD 173m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 938 a tonne, 201,764 tonnesUSD 189min 2024 -
7
Rubber: synthetic, butadiene rubber (BR), in primary forms or in plates, sheets or stripHS 400220
Share of China's imports10 per cent, 32 source countriesChangefrom USD 6m in 2022Unit valueUSD 1,493 a tonne, 31,950 tonnesUSD 48min 2024 -
8
Carbonates: disodium carbonateHS 283620
Share of China's imports13 per cent, 26 source countriesChangefrom USD 1m in 2022Unit valueUSD 200 a tonne, 107,822 tonnesUSD 22min 2024 -
9
Iron or steel (excluding cast iron): line pipe of a kind used for oil or gas pipelines (not seamless), longitudinally submerged arc welded, having circular...HS 730511
Share of China's imports41 per cent, 14 source countriesChangenew since 2022Unit valueUSD 16,760 a tonne, 692 tonnesUSD 12min 2024 -
10
Acids: aromatic polycarboxylic acids: dimethyl terephthalateHS 291737
Share of China's imports33 per cent, 11 source countriesChangeup 379 per cent on 2022 (USD 2m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,305 a tonne, 8,800 tonnesUSD 11min 2024 -
11
Cigarettes: containing tobaccoHS 240220
Share of China's imports5 per cent, 44 source countriesChangeup 82 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 12,547 a tonne, 836 tonnesUSD 10min 2024 -
12
Machinery: for liquefying air or gas, not used for domestic purposesHS 841960
Share of China's imports11 per cent, 27 source countriesChangeup 59 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 110,339 a tonne, 88 tonnesUSD 10min 2024 -
13
Alcohols: acyclic, diols: ethylene glycol (ethanediol)HS 290531
Share of China's importsunder 1 per cent, 33 source countriesChangefrom USD 5k in 2022Unit valueUSD 518 a tonne, 17,471 tonnesUSD 9min 2024 -
14
Vehicle parts: radiators and parts thereofHS 870891
Share of China's imports5 per cent, 66 source countriesChangefrom USD 175k in 2022Unit valueUSD 6,230 a tonne, 1,331 tonnesUSD 8min 2024 -
15
Plasters: (consisting of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate), whether or not coloured, with or without small quantities of accelerators or retardersHS 252020
Share of China's imports32 per cent, 29 source countriesChangeup 30 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022)Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 8min 2024 -
16
Waters: including mineral and aerated, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or flavouredHS 220210
Share of China's imports9 per cent, 82 source countriesChangeup 401 per cent on 2022 (USD 2m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 619 a tonne, 12,615 tonnesUSD 8min 2024 -
17
Instruments and apparatus: for measuring or checking the flow or level of liquidsHS 902610
Share of China's imports1 per cent, 79 source countriesChangefrom USD 1m in 2022Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 7min 2024 -
18
Boards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases: for electric control or the distribution of electricity, (other than switching apparatus of heading no. 8517), for a...HS 853710
Share of China's importsunder 1 per cent, 111 source countriesChangeup 33 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 72,547 a tonne, 98 tonnesUSD 7min 2024 -
19
Optical media: recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37HS 852349
Share of China's importsunder 1 per cent, 59 source countriesChangedown 25 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 30.5m a tonne, 0.2 tonnesUSD 6min 2024 -
20
Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), of polymers of ethylene, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined...HS 392010
Share of China's imports1 per cent, 87 source countriesChangeup 16 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,824 a tonne, 3,426 tonnesUSD 6min 2024 -
21
Instruments and apparatus: for measuring or detecting ionising radiationsHS 903010
Share of China's imports2 per cent, 47 source countriesChangefrom USD 726k in 2022Unit valueUSD 418,382 a tonne, 13 tonnesUSD 5min 2024 -
22
Machines and mechanical appliances: having individual functions, n.e.c. or included in this chapterHS 847989
Share of China's importsunder 1 per cent, 79 source countriesChangeup 185 per cent on 2022 (USD 2m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 48,524 a tonne, 109 tonnesUSD 5min 2024 -
23
Iron or steel: articles n.e.c. in heading 7326HS 732690
Share of China's importsunder 1 per cent, 128 source countriesChangeup 14 per cent on 2022 (USD 4m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 25,205 a tonne, 203 tonnesUSD 5min 2024 -
24
Centrifuges: n.e.c. in heading no. 8421, including centrifugal dryers (but not clothes-dryers)HS 842119
Share of China's imports2 per cent, 53 source countriesChangefrom USD 78k in 2022Unit valueUSD 38,278 a tonne, 129 tonnesUSD 5min 2024 -
25
Chemical products, mixtures and preparations: n.e.c. heading 3824HS 382499
Share of China's importsunder 1 per cent, 101 source countriesChangeup 74 per cent on 2022 (USD 3m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 919 a tonne, 4,954 tonnesUSD 5min 2024 -
26
Surveying equipment: parts and accessories for articles of heading no. 9015HS 901590
Share of China's imports4 per cent, 65 source countriesChangedown 53 per cent on 2022 (USD 9m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 264,277 a tonne, 16 tonnesUSD 4min 2024 -
27
Gypsum: anhydriteHS 252010
Share of China's imports15 per cent, 38 source countriesChangeup 118 per cent on 2022 (USD 2m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 61 a tonne, 69,193 tonnesUSD 4min 2024 -
28
Ammonia: anhydrousHS 281410
Share of China's imports2 per cent, 13 source countriesChangedown 36 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022)Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 4min 2024 -
29
Acyclic hydrocarbons: unsaturated, ethyleneHS 290121
Share of China's importsunder 1 per cent, 13 source countriesChangedown 96 per cent on 2022 (USD 88m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 844 a tonne, 4,301 tonnesUSD 4min 2024 -
30
Machinery: parts of machines handling earth, minerals or ores and n.e.c. in heading no. 8431HS 843149
Share of China's imports1 per cent, 84 source countriesChangefrom USD 435k in 2022Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 3min 2024 -
31
Boring or sinking machinery: parts for boring or sinking machinery of subheading 8430.41 or 8430.49HS 843143
Share of China's imports2 per cent, 63 source countriesChangedown 17 per cent on 2022 (USD 4m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 40,578 a tonne, 79 tonnesUSD 3min 2024 -
32
Filament, synthetic: strip and the like (e.g.. artificial straw), of synthetic textile materials of an apparent width not exceeding 5mmHS 540490
Share of China's imports32 per cent, 31 source countriesChangedown 61 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 3,570 a tonne, 892 tonnesUSD 3min 2024 -
33
Machinery: parts for filtering or purifying liquids or gasesHS 842199
Share of China's importsunder 1 per cent, 91 source countriesChangeup 141 per cent on 2022 (USD 1m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 16,914 a tonne, 161 tonnesUSD 3min 2024 -
34
Glass: float glass and surface ground or polished glass, in sheets, non-wired, (other than coloured throughout the mass (body tinted), opacified, flashed or merely...HS 700529
Share of China's imports1 per cent, 37 source countriesChangenew since 2022Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 3min 2024 -
35
Turbines: parts of gas turbines (excluding turbo-jets and turbo-propellers)HS 841199
Share of China's importsunder 1 per cent, 56 source countriesChangedown 66 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 441,559 a tonne, 6.0 tonnesUSD 3min 2024 -
36
Engines: parts for internal combustion piston engines (excluding spark-ignition)HS 840999
Share of China's importsunder 1 per cent, 100 source countriesChangedown 37 per cent on 2022 (USD 4m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 32,666 a tonne, 80 tonnesUSD 3min 2024 -
37
Aluminium: articles n.e.c. in heading 7616HS 761699
Share of China's importsunder 1 per cent, 93 source countriesChangedown 18 per cent on 2022 (USD 3m in 2022)Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 3min 2024 -
38
Sugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matterHS 170199
Share of China's imports1 per cent, 40 source countriesChangedown 66 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 561 a tonne, 4,239 tonnesUSD 2min 2024 -
39
Heterocyclic compounds: n.e.c. in headings no. 2933HS 293399
Share of China's importsunder 1 per cent, 59 source countriesChangenew since 2022Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 2min 2024 -
40
Plastics: other articles n.e.c. in chapter 39HS 392690
Share of China's importsunder 1 per cent, 140 source countriesChangedown 36 per cent on 2022 (USD 4m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 60,912 a tonne, 37 tonnesUSD 2min 2024 -
41
Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, fitted with connectorsHS 854442
Share of China's importsunder 1 per cent, 105 source countriesChangedown 51 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 56,131 a tonne, 40 tonnesUSD 2min 2024 -
42
Lubricating oil additives: containing petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous mineralsHS 381121
Share of China's importsunder 1 per cent, 33 source countriesChangeup 155 per cent on 2022 (USD 786k in 2022)Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 2min 2024 -
43
Machinery: for filtering or purifying waterHS 842121
Share of China's imports1 per cent, 65 source countriesChangeup 159 per cent on 2022 (USD 774k in 2022)Unit valueUSD 40,718 a tonne, 49 tonnesUSD 2min 2024 -
44
Engines: hydraulic power engines and motors, other than linear acting (cylinders)HS 841229
Share of China's imports1 per cent, 64 source countriesChangefrom USD 80k in 2022Unit valueUSD 77,532 a tonne, 24 tonnesUSD 2min 2024 -
45
Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa: n.e.c. in chapter 18HS 180690
Share of China's imports1 per cent, 70 source countriesChangeup 415 per cent on 2022 (USD 332k in 2022)Unit valueUSD 23,890 a tonne, 72 tonnesUSD 2min 2024 -
46
Industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids: acid oils from refining: (other than stearic acid, oleic acid or tall oil fatty acids)HS 382319
Share of China's importsunder 1 per cent, 68 source countriesChangedown 78 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 825 a tonne, 1,877 tonnesUSD 2min 2024 -
47
Navigational instruments and appliances: parts and accessoriesHS 901490
Share of China's imports2 per cent, 58 source countriesChangefrom USD 189k in 2022Unit valueUSD 1.8m a tonne, 0.8 tonnesUSD 1min 2024 -
48
Regulating or controlling instruments and apparatus: automatic, parts and accessoriesHS 903290
Share of China's imports1 per cent, 66 source countriesChangefrom USD 169k in 2022Unit valueUSD 137,911 a tonne, 10 tonnesUSD 1min 2024 -
49
Snow-ski equipmentHS 950619
Share of China's imports11 per cent, 39 source countriesChangeup 12 per cent on 2022 (USD 1m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 90,276 a tonne, 15 tonnesUSD 1min 2024 -
50
Tools, interchangeable: rock drilling or earth boring tools, with working part (other than of cermets), whether or not power operated, including partsHS 820719
Share of China's imports5 per cent, 52 source countriesChangeup 150 per cent on 2022 (USD 542k in 2022)Unit valueUSD 8,285 a tonne, 163 tonnesUSD 1min 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.
- Rubber: synthetic, butadiene rubber (BR), in primary forms or in plates, sheets or stripHS 400220USD 48m in 2024, from USD 6m in 2022. The United Arab Emirates supplies 10 per cent of the line.
- Cigarettes: containing tobaccoHS 240220USD 10m in 2024, up 82 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). The United Arab Emirates supplies 5 per cent of the line.
- Machinery: for liquefying air or gas, not used for domestic purposesHS 841960USD 10m in 2024, up 59 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). The United Arab Emirates supplies 11 per cent of the line.
- Boards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases: for electric control or the distribution of electricity, (other than switching apparatus of heading no. 8517), for a...HS 853710USD 7m in 2024, up 33 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022). The United Arab Emirates supplies under 1 per cent of the line.
- Plasters: (consisting of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate), whether or not coloured, with or without small quantities of accelerators or retardersHS 252020USD 8m in 2024, up 30 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). The United Arab Emirates supplies 32 per cent of the line.
- Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of less than 0.94HS 390110USD 609m in 2024, up 22 per cent on 2022 (USD 500m in 2022). The United Arab Emirates supplies 14 per cent of the line.
- Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), of polymers of ethylene, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined...HS 392010USD 6m in 2024, up 16 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022). The United Arab Emirates supplies 1 per cent of the line.
- Propylene, other olefin polymers: propylene copolymers in primary formsHS 390230USD 189m in 2024, up 9 per cent on 2022 (USD 173m in 2022). The United Arab Emirates supplies 12 per cent of the line.
- Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers, having a specific gravity of less than 0.94HS 390140USD 373m in 2024, up 4 per cent on 2022 (USD 359m in 2022). The United Arab Emirates supplies 6 per cent of the line.
Where the United Arab Emirates dominates
Lines where the United Arab Emirates supplies 60 per cent or more.
The largest lines worth USD 1m or more where the United Arab Emirates ships at least 60 per cent of what China imports. This is supply concentration: how much of the line depends on one source country.
No line worth USD 1m or more where the United Arab Emirates supplies 60 per cent of China's imports.
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 the United Arab Emirates'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.
- Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of 0.94 or moreHS 390120The United Arab Emirates: USD 1.2bn at USD 959 a tonne. India: USD 32m (1 per cent of the line) at USD 767 a tonne, 20 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 1,020 a tonne.
- Alcohols: saturated monohydric, methanol (methyl alcohol)HS 290511The United Arab Emirates: USD 910m at USD 295 a tonne. Chile: USD 93m (3 per cent of the line) at USD 235 a tonne, 20 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 295 a tonne.
- Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of less than 0.94HS 390110The United Arab Emirates: USD 609m at USD 1,179 a tonne. Kuwait: USD 64m (2 per cent of the line) at USD 930 a tonne, 21 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 1,206 a tonne.
- Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers, having a specific gravity of less than 0.94HS 390140The United Arab Emirates: USD 373m at USD 989 a tonne. Saudi Arabia: USD 593m (10 per cent of the line) at USD 620 a tonne, 37 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 972 a tonne.
- Propylene, other olefin polymers: polypropylene in primary formsHS 390210The United Arab Emirates: USD 354m at USD 950 a tonne. Japan: USD 173m (8 per cent of the line) at USD 649 a tonne, 32 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 1,203 a tonne.
- Machinery: for liquefying air or gas, not used for domestic purposesHS 841960The United Arab Emirates: USD 10m at USD 110,339 a tonne. United States: USD 10m (12 per cent of the line) at USD 22,264 a tonne, 80 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 42,890 a tonne.
- Boards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases: for electric control or the distribution of electricity, (other than switching apparatus of heading no. 8517), for a...HS 853710The United Arab Emirates: USD 7m at USD 72,547 a tonne. India: USD 23m (1 per cent of the line) at USD 41,275 a tonne, 43 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 109,699 a tonne.
- Optical media: recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37HS 852349The United Arab Emirates: USD 6m at USD 30.5m a tonne. Ireland: USD 640m (37 per cent of the line) at USD 14.5m a tonne, 53 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 10.1m a tonne.
- Machines and mechanical appliances: having individual functions, n.e.c. or included in this chapterHS 847989The United Arab Emirates: USD 5m at USD 48,524 a tonne. Japan: USD 1.5bn (30 per cent of the line) at USD 38,564 a tonne, 21 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 46,361 a tonne.
- Iron or steel: articles n.e.c. in heading 7326HS 732690The United Arab Emirates: USD 5m at USD 25,205 a tonne. South Korea: USD 469m (24 per cent of the line) at USD 6,337 a tonne, 75 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 11,254 a tonne.
The other side of the lane
What China buys from everyone, and what it is placed to make.
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 the United Arab Emirates'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.
Want to know when this lane moves?
A sourcing alert for the United Arab Emirates to China is not built yet. If it is built, it would tell you when a line on this lane shifts: a new source country, a share that moves, a unit value that changes sharply. Leave an address and you will hear when it exists, and nothing else.
Run a company? Check it against the developments BuzzBaboon follows, free.