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The twenty imports the UK is best placed to replace.

The UK imported GBP 473bn of manufactured goods in the twelve months to August 2026. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well, where one country supplies most of them, and where a public body is already the buyer.

GBP 24bnthe twenty, imported each year
42products the UK imports at scale, does not yet export well, and sits close to
3,646public purchases of goods joined to a product family
12regions placed by where the adjacent capability sits
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, which public bodies bought in that family of goods, the nearest thing the UK already exports well, and the regions most concentrated in that kind of work. It does not say whether a UK plant would pay. That reason is not in any public record, and it is the maker's question.

  1. 1

    Aeroplanes and other powered aircraft of an unladen weight > 15.000 kg (excl. helicopters, dirigibles and unmanned of...HS 880240

    Comes fromGermany 40%, United States 37%, France 7%
    Public buyers in the family34 awards, GBP 49m, 23 buyers. Largest: Bluelight Commercial Limited
    Nearest UK strengthParts of aeroplanes, helicopters or unmanned aircraft, n.e.s. (excl....
    Best-placed regionsWales 3.3x, South West 3.1x, Northern Ireland 1.4x

    Score 7 of 10: import bill GBP 4.7bn (3); proximity to UK export strengths in the top 37 per cent of candidates (1); Germany supplies 40 per cent (1); 34 public awards in the family, GBP 49m (2).

    GBP 4.7bnup 12% on the year
  2. 2

    Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of <10 persons, incl. station wagons and...HS 870332

    Comes fromGermany 50%, Turkey 14%, Spain 8%
    Public buyers in the family305 awards, GBP 399m, 127 buyers. Largest: Sheffield College
    Nearest UK strengthMotor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the...
    Best-placed regionsWest Midlands 4.0x, North East 2.9x, North West 1.6x

    Score 6 of 10: import bill GBP 2.3bn (2); proximity to UK export strengths in the top 44 per cent of candidates (1); Germany supplies 50 per cent (1); 305 public awards in the family, GBP 399m (2).

    GBP 2.3bndown 11% on the year
  3. 3

    Electro-diagnostic apparatus, incl. apparatus for functional exploratory examination or for checking physiological...HS 901819

    Comes fromGermany 50%, Netherlands 23%, United States 6%
    Public buyers in the family581 awards, GBP 2.1bn, 83 buyers. Largest: Supply Chain Coordination Limited
    Nearest UK strengthInstruments, appliances and machines for measuring or checking, not...
    Best-placed regionsSouth East 1.8x, West Midlands 1.1x, North East 1.1x

    Score 6 of 10: import bill GBP 759m (1); proximity to UK export strengths in the top 23 per cent of candidates (2); Germany supplies 50 per cent (1); 581 public awards in the family, GBP 2.1bn (2).

    GBP 759mup 18% on the year
  4. 4

    Immunological products, mixed, not put up in measured doses or in forms or packings for retail sale (excl. diagnostic...HS 300214

    Comes fromUnited States 60%, Germany 12%, Ireland 8%
    Public buyers in the family6 awards, GBP 225m, 4 buyers. Largest: UK Health Security Agency
    Nearest UK strengthMedicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic...
    Best-placed regionsEast 2.7x, North East 1.9x, London 1.6x

    Score 6 of 10: import bill GBP 568m (1); proximity to UK export strengths in the top 27 per cent of candidates (1); United States supplies 60 per cent (2); 6 public awards in the family, GBP 225m (2).

    GBP 568mup 2% on the year
  5. 5

    Tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, motorised, whether or not fitted with weapons, and parts of such vehicles...HS 871000

    Comes fromundisclosed (HMRC confidential) 100%
    Public buyers in the family31 awards, GBP 26m, 20 buyers. Largest: Ministry of Defence
    Nearest UK strengthMotor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the...
    Best-placed regionsLondon 2.5x, South East 1.2x, East 1.1x

    Score 6 of 10: import bill GBP 490m (1); proximity to UK export strengths in the top 31 per cent of candidates (1); undisclosed (HMRC confidential) supplies 100 per cent (2); 31 public awards in the family, GBP 26m (2).

    GBP 490mup 15% on the year
  6. 6

    Articles of plastics and articles of other materials of heading 3901 to 3914, n.e.s (excl. goods of 9619)HS 392690

    Comes fromChina 23%, Germany 15%, United States 11%
    Public buyers in the family218 awards, GBP 2.0bn, 93 buyers. Largest: Supply Chain Coordination Limited
    Nearest UK strengthPlates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of non-cellular polymers of...
    Best-placed regionsLondon 2.5x, South East 1.2x, East 1.1x

    Score 5 of 10: import bill GBP 1.9bn (2); proximity to UK export strengths in the top 39 per cent of candidates (1); 218 public awards in the family, GBP 2.0bn (2).

    GBP 1.9bnup 2% on the year
  7. 7

    Gear boxes and parts thereof, for tractors, motor vehicles for the transport of ten or more persons, motor cars and...HS 870840

    Comes fromGermany 53%, Netherlands 11%, Japan 10%
    Public buyers in the family8 awards, GBP 6m, 7 buyers. Largest: Derby City Council
    Nearest UK strengthMotor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the...
    Best-placed regionsWest Midlands 4.0x, North East 2.9x, North West 1.6x

    Score 5 of 10: import bill GBP 1.2bn (2); proximity to UK export strengths in the top 44 per cent of candidates (1); Germany supplies 53 per cent (1); 8 public awards in the family, GBP 6m (1).

    GBP 1.2bndown 9% on the year
  8. 8

    Plates, sheets and strip, of aluminium alloys, of a thickness of > 0,2 mm, square or rectangular (excl. expanded...HS 760612

    Comes fromGermany 44%, Netherlands 12%, China 11%
    Public buyers in the familynone matched at heading level
    Nearest UK strengthWaste and scrap, of aluminium (excl. slags, scale and the like from...
    Best-placed regionsLondon 3.8x, North East 1.5x, East 1.1x

    Score 4 of 10: import bill GBP 1.6bn (2); proximity to UK export strengths in the top 49 per cent of candidates (1); Germany supplies 43 per cent (1).

    GBP 1.6bnup 7% on the year
  9. 9

    Biodiesel and mixtures thereof, not containing or containing < 70 % by weight of petroleum oils or oils obtained from...HS 382600

    Comes fromNetherlands 84%, Belgium 10%, Ireland 3%
    Public buyers in the familynone matched at heading level
    Nearest UK strengthDiagnostic or laboratory reagents on a backing, prepared diagnostic...
    Best-placed regionsNorth West 2.0x, Yorkshire and The Humber 1.5x, Wales 1.4x

    Score 4 of 10: import bill GBP 963m (1); proximity to UK export strengths in the top 47 per cent of candidates (1); Netherlands supplies 84 per cent (2).

    GBP 963mup 48% on the year
  10. 10

    Mixtures of odoriferous substances and mixtures, incl. alcoholic solutions, with a basis of one or more of these...HS 330210

    Comes fromIreland 78%, Germany 5%, France 4%
    Public buyers in the familynone matched at heading level
    Nearest UK strengthBeauty or make-up preparations and preparations for the care of the...
    Best-placed regionsSouth East 2.5x, North West 1.4x, London 1.3x

    Score 4 of 10: import bill GBP 914m (1); proximity to UK export strengths in the top 46 per cent of candidates (1); Ireland supplies 78 per cent (2).

    GBP 914mdown 2% on the year
  11. 11

    Wrist-watches, whether or not incorporating a stop-watch facility, with automatic winding (excl. of precious metal or...HS 910221

    Comes fromSwitzerland 90%, Hong Kong 2%, Spain 2%
    Public buyers in the familynone matched at heading level
    Nearest UK strengthWrist-watches of precious metal or of metal clad with precious...
    Best-placed regionsLondon 2.7x, South East 2.5x, West Midlands 1.4x

    Score 4 of 10: import bill GBP 896m (1); proximity to UK export strengths in the top 39 per cent of candidates (1); Switzerland supplies 90 per cent (2).

    GBP 896mup 18% on the year
  12. 12

    Motor vehicles for the transport of goods, with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine "diesel or...HS 870423

    Comes fromNetherlands 23%, France 21%, Germany 17%
    Public buyers in the family279 awards, GBP 101m, 101 buyers. Largest: Onward Homes
    Nearest UK strengthMotor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the...
    Best-placed regionsWest Midlands 4.0x, North East 2.9x, North West 1.6x

    Score 4 of 10: import bill GBP 582m (1); proximity to UK export strengths in the top 49 per cent of candidates (1); 279 public awards in the family, GBP 101m (2).

    GBP 582mup 3% on the year
  13. 13

    Orthopaedic or fracture appliancesHS 902110

    Comes fromNetherlands 22%, Poland 18%, Switzerland 16%
    Public buyers in the family256 awards, GBP 313m, 58 buyers. Largest: Supply Chain Coordination Limited
    Nearest UK strengthInstruments, appliances and machines for measuring or checking, not...
    Best-placed regionsLondon 2.5x, South East 1.2x, East 1.1x

    Score 4 of 10: import bill GBP 389m (1); proximity to UK export strengths in the top 30 per cent of candidates (1); 256 public awards in the family, GBP 313m (2).

    GBP 389mup 5% on the year
  14. 14

    Packing or wrapping machinery, incl. heat-shrink wrapping machinery (excl. machinery for filling, closing, sealing or...HS 842240

    Comes fromItaly 31%, Germany 18%, Netherlands 13%
    Public buyers in the family71 awards, GBP 21m, 49 buyers. Largest: Prosper
    Nearest UK strengthTurbojets of a thrust > 25 kN
    Best-placed regionsWest Midlands 1.6x, Yorkshire and The Humber 1.5x, South West 1.3x

    Score 4 of 10: import bill GBP 303m (1); proximity to UK export strengths in the top 42 per cent of candidates (1); 71 public awards in the family, GBP 21m (2).

    GBP 303mup 5% on the year
  15. 15

    Meat or offal of fowls of the species "Gallus domesticus", prepared or preserved (excl. sausages and similar products...HS 160232

    Comes fromThailand 38%, Poland 16%, China 11%
    Public buyers in the familynone matched at heading level
    Nearest UK strengthPrepared or preserved fish, whole or in pieces (excl. minced, merely...
    Best-placed regionsNorthern Ireland 7.0x, Yorkshire and The Humber 2.3x, Wales 1.8x

    Score 3 of 10: import bill GBP 1.7bn (2); proximity to UK export strengths in the top 42 per cent of candidates (1).

    GBP 1.7bnup 4% on the year
  16. 16

    Dog or cat food, put up for retail saleHS 230910

    Comes fromFrance 14%, Germany 13%, Netherlands 12%
    Public buyers in the familynone matched at heading level
    Nearest UK strengthPreparations of a kind used in animal feeding (excl. dog or cat food...
    Best-placed regionsNorthern Ireland 6.1x, Scotland 2.5x, North West 1.4x

    Score 3 of 10: import bill GBP 1.5bn (2); proximity to UK export strengths in the top 39 per cent of candidates (1).

    GBP 1.5bnup 5% on the year
  17. 17

    Potatoes, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, frozenHS 200410

    Comes fromBelgium 60%, Netherlands 34%, Germany 3%
    Public buyers in the familynone matched at heading level
    Nearest UK strengthPotatoes, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic...
    Best-placed regionsNorthern Ireland 5.3x, East 1.9x, Yorkshire and The Humber 1.3x

    Score 3 of 10: import bill GBP 981m (1); proximity to UK export strengths in the top 45 per cent of candidates (1); Belgium supplies 60 per cent (1).

    GBP 981mdown 9% on the year
  18. 18

    Fir "Abies spp." and spruce "Picea spp." sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed, sanded...HS 440712

    Comes fromSweden 45%, Latvia 13%, Ireland 12%
    Public buyers in the familynone matched at heading level
    Nearest UK strengthPallets, box pallets and other load boards, of wood; pallet collars...
    Best-placed regionsNorthern Ireland 13.3x

    Score 3 of 10: import bill GBP 907m (1); proximity to UK export strengths in the top 40 per cent of candidates (1); Sweden supplies 45 per cent (1).

    GBP 907mdown 5% on the year
  19. 19

    Electrical apparatus for switching electrical circuits, or for making connections to or in electrical circuits, for a...HS 853690

    Comes fromUnited States 15%, Germany 14%, China 13%
    Public buyers in the family4 awards, GBP 394k, 2 buyers. Largest: Housing Solutions
    Nearest UK strengthBoards, cabinets and similar combinations of apparatus for electric...
    Best-placed regionsSouth East 1.8x, West Midlands 1.1x, North East 1.1x

    Score 3 of 10: import bill GBP 720m (1); proximity to UK export strengths in the top 45 per cent of candidates (1); 4 public awards in the family, GBP 394k (1).

    GBP 720mup 14% on the year
  20. 20

    Plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of plastics, reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other...HS 392190

    Comes fromGermany 17%, France 12%, Italy 11%
    Public buyers in the family1 awards, GBP 100k, 1 buyers. Largest: Nottingham City Council
    Nearest UK strengthPlates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of non-cellular polymers of...
    Best-placed regionsNorth West 2.0x, North East 1.5x, Yorkshire and The Humber 1.4x

    Score 3 of 10: import bill GBP 573m (1); proximity to UK export strengths in the top 44 per cent of candidates (1); 1 public awards in the family, GBP 100k (1).

    GBP 573mup 6% on the year

One line per customs heading. Products the UK already exports well and still imports are a different conversation and are kept out of this list. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Two regions, read the same way

Where the adjacent capability already sits.

Yorkshire and The Humber

For Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme. Regional trade is published by division and region, so this is the region seen through the divisions the twenty belong to.

  • #15 Meat or offal of fowls of the species "Gallus domesticus"... 2.3x the national concentration in the division; 0 awards by buyers in the region
  • #9 Biodiesel and mixtures thereof, not containing or... 1.5x the national concentration in the division; 0 awards by buyers in the region
  • #14 Packing or wrapping machinery, incl. heat-shrink wrapping... 1.5x the national concentration in the division; 17 awards by buyers in the region
  • #20 Plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of plastics... 1.4x the national concentration in the division; 0 awards by buyers in the region
  • #16 Dog or cat food, put up for retail sale 1.3x the national concentration in the division; 0 awards by buyers in the region
  • #10 Mixtures of odoriferous substances and mixtures, incl.... 1.3x the national concentration in the division; 0 awards by buyers in the region
  • #17 Potatoes, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar... 1.3x the national concentration in the division; 0 awards by buyers in the region
South West

For Bristol, which sits inside the South West in the published regional data; the city is not separable.

  • #1 Aeroplanes and other powered aircraft of an unladen weight... 3.1x the national concentration in the division; 13 awards by buyers in the region
  • #14 Packing or wrapping machinery, incl. heat-shrink wrapping... 1.3x the national concentration in the division; 5 awards by buyers in the region
How the twenty were chosen

Four scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3: HMRC Overseas Trade Statistics, twelve months to August 2026, by customs line. One point at GBP 250m, two at GBP 1bn, three at GBP 3bn.

Proximity to UK strengths, 0 to 3: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. A product's density is the share of its close neighbours the UK already exports well. Only products in the upper half for density can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Public demand, 0 to 2: 33,138 Contracts Finder award notices in the year to 26 October 2026, joined to customs headings through a crosswalk we authored because no official one exists. The join is a family, not an exact line, and the figures are a floor: Contracts Finder misses many awards that appear only on Find a Tender.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels, precious metals and confidential lines. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a report on manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. Regional capability is measured at division level, which is coarser than the product. The crosswalk is ours and approximate. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Sources: HMRC UK Trade Info, CEPII BACI, Contracts Finder. Trade window September 2025 to August 2026; regional data for the four quarters to June 2026; edition of 2026-11-02.

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