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The twenty imports Belgium is best placed to replace.

Belgium imported USD 329bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 293bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 16bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
287products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
1492products Belgium already exports well
2189product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing Belgium already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Belgium would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and Belgium does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Turbines: parts of turbo-jets and turbo-propellersHS 841191

    Comes fromFrance 75%, 41 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPumps and compressors: for air, vacuum or gas, n.e.c. in heading no.... (exports USD 1.2bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 780m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 1.4bn
    Countries that export it well12

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 704m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Belgium's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1); France supplies 75 per cent (2).

    USD 704mup 60% on 2022
  2. 2

    Odoriferous substances and mixtures: of a kind used in the food or drink industriesHS 330210

    Comes fromIreland 65%, 65 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCosmetic and toilet preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for... (exports USD 1.1bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 171m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 86m
    Countries that export it well15

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 385m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Belgium's export strengths in the top 35 per cent (1); Ireland supplies 65 per cent (2).

    USD 385mup 54% on 2022
  3. 3

    Engines: reciprocating piston engines, of a kind used for the propulsion of vehicles of chapter 87, of a cylinder...HS 840734

    Comes fromSweden 92%, 37 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPumps and compressors: for air, vacuum or gas, n.e.c. in heading no.... (exports USD 1.2bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 17m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 52m
    Countries that export it well14

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 346m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Belgium's export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1); Sweden supplies 92 per cent (2).

    USD 346mup 19% on 2022
  4. 4

    Cocoa: butter, fat and oilHS 180400

    Comes fromNetherlands 56%, 30 source countries
    Nearest export strengthChocolate & other food preparations containing cocoa: in blocks... (exports USD 2.7bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 83m
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 1.5bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Belgium's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1); Netherlands supplies 56 per cent (1).

    USD 1.5bnup 193% on 2022
  5. 5

    Ammonia: anhydrousHS 281410

    Comes fromRussia 42%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPhosphoric acid and polyphosphoric acids (exports USD 343m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 51m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 392m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Belgium's export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1); Russia supplies 42 per cent (1).

    USD 392mdown 62% on 2022
  6. 6

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

    Comes fromNetherlands 47%, 12 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVehicles: with only electric motor for propulsion (exports USD 6.4bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 32m
    Countries that export it well19

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 280m, top 10 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Belgium's export strengths in the top 33 per cent (1); Netherlands supplies 47 per cent (1).

    USD 280mup 168% on 2022
  7. 7

    Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, containing indentations, ribs, grooves...HS 721420

    Comes fromFrance 64%, 18 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, (not... (exports USD 1.5bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 52m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 151m
    Countries that export it well45

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 202m, top 14 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Belgium's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1); France supplies 64 per cent (2).

    USD 202mdown 31% on 2022
  8. 8

    Boilers: central heating boilers (excluding those of heading no. 8402)HS 840310

    Comes fromGermany 67%, 31 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPumps and compressors: for air, vacuum or gas, n.e.c. in heading no.... (exports USD 1.2bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 20m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 45m
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 161m, top 17 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Belgium's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1); Germany supplies 67 per cent (2).

    USD 161mdown 29% on 2022
  9. 9

    Food preparations: of flour, meal, starch, malt extract or milk products, suitable for infants or young children, put...HS 190110

    Comes fromFrance 71%, 32 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFood preparations: bakers' wares n.e.c. in heading no. 1605, whether... (exports USD 2.1bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 37m
    Countries that export it well21

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 156m, top 18 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Belgium's export strengths in the top 34 per cent (1); France supplies 71 per cent (2).

    USD 156mup 179% on 2022
  10. 10

    Vehicles: with both compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel) and electric motor...HS 870370

    Comes fromNetherlands 63%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVehicles: with only electric motor for propulsion (exports USD 6.4bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 44m; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 6.9bn
    Countries that export it well10

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 140m, top 20 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Belgium's export strengths in the top 36 per cent (1); Netherlands supplies 63 per cent (2).

    USD 140mdown 51% on 2022
  11. 11

    Engines: reaction engines, other than turbo-jetsHS 841210

    Comes fromSaudi Arabia 99%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPumps and compressors: for air, vacuum or gas, n.e.c. in heading no.... (exports USD 1.2bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 183k; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 371m
    Countries that export it well4

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 133m, top 21 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Belgium's export strengths in the top 27 per cent (1); Saudi Arabia supplies 99 per cent (2).

    USD 133mfrom USD 3m in 2022
  12. 12

    Blood, human or animal, antisera, other blood fractions and immunological products: immunological products, mixed, put...HS 300214

    Comes fromIreland 23%, 24 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMedicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in... (exports USD 20bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 432m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 1.8bn
    Countries that export it well8

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 2.3bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Belgium's export strengths in the top 41 per cent (1).

    USD 2.3bndown 17% on 2022
  13. 13

    Vehicles: parts and accessories, of bodies, other than safety seat beltsHS 870829

    Comes fromSweden 20%, 87 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVehicles: with only electric motor for propulsion (exports USD 6.4bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 806m; 10 more lines in the heading, USD 3.2bn
    Countries that export it well23

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 1.9bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Belgium's export strengths in the top 40 per cent (1).

    USD 1.9bndown 9% on 2022
  14. 14

    Copper: waste and scrapHS 740400

    Comes fromFrance 22%, 84 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCopper: wire, of refined copper, of which the maximum... (exports USD 2.1bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 375m
    Countries that export it well76

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 1.8bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Belgium's export strengths in the top 38 per cent (1).

    USD 1.8bnup 7% on 2022
  15. 15

    Cocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roastedHS 180100

    Comes fromIvory Coast 35%, 58 source countries
    Nearest export strengthChocolate & other food preparations containing cocoa: in blocks... (exports USD 2.7bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 310m
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 1.4bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Belgium's export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1).

    USD 1.4bnup 286% on 2022
  16. 16

    Ferrous waste and scrap: of stainless steelHS 720421

    Comes fromGermany 40%, 39 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, (not... (exports USD 1.5bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 113m
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 1.3bn, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Belgium's export strengths in the top 38 per cent (1).

    USD 1.3bndown 16% on 2022
  17. 17

    Aeroplanes and other aircraft, except unmanned: of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kgHS 880240

    Comes fromFrance 33%, 6 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAircraft and spacecraft: parts thereof n.e.c. in chapter 88 (exports USD 78m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 42m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 68m
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 849m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Belgium's export strengths in the top 47 per cent (1).

    USD 849mup 2% on 2022
  18. 18

    Boards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases: for electric control or the distribution of electricity, (other than...HS 853710

    Comes fromGermany 31%, 102 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCells and batteries: primary, manganese dioxide (exports USD 506m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 409m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 119m
    Countries that export it well29

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 810m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Belgium's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1).

    USD 810mup 3% on 2022
  19. 19

    Iron or steel: articles n.e.c. in heading 7326HS 732690

    Comes fromNetherlands 16%, 117 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308 (exports USD 1.6bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 434m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 53m
    Countries that export it well28

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 776m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Belgium's export strengths in the top 41 per cent (1).

    USD 776mdown 8% on 2022
  20. 20

    Reagents: diagnostic or laboratory reagents on a backing, prepared diagnostic or laboratory reagents whether or not on...HS 382219

    Comes fromUnited States 27%, 72 source countries
    Nearest export strengthBiodiesel and mixtures thereof: not containing or containing less... (exports USD 3.8bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 492m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 38m
    Countries that export it well13

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 712m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Belgium's export strengths in the top 34 per cent (1).

    USD 712mup 2% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Belgium already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

  • Vehicles: with both spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine and... imports USD 7.9bn, exports USD 3.4bn, top source France 27%
  • Medicaments: containing hormones (excluding insulin), (but not containing... imports USD 2.8bn, exports USD 66m, top source Ireland 100%
  • Vehicles: with only electric motor for propulsion imports USD 8.9bn, exports USD 6.4bn, top source Germany 40%
  • Vehicles: with both spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine and... imports USD 3.5bn, exports USD 1.2bn, top source Germany 26%
  • Acyclic hydrocarbons: unsaturated, ethylene imports USD 1.5bn, exports USD 221m, top source Netherlands 33%
  • Tobacco: partly or wholly stemmed or stripped imports USD 1.7bn, exports USD 492m, top source Brazil 36%
  • Medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances: n.e.c. in heading no.... imports USD 2.5bn, exports USD 1.3bn, top source Mexico 26%
  • Medical, surgical instruments and appliances: catheters, cannulae and the like imports USD 1.8bn, exports USD 739m, top source United States 32%
  • Heterocyclic compounds: lactams: other than 6-hexanelactam (epsilon... imports USD 1.1bn, exports USD 448m, top source France 39%
  • Cyclic hydrocarbons: benzene imports USD 817m, exports USD 302m, top source Netherlands 54%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 2189 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: 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. Only products in the upper half for proximity 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.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about 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. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-02. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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