The twenty imports Cambodia is best placed to replace.
Cambodia imported USD 27bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 31bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.
Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.
Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing Cambodia already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Cambodia 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 Cambodia does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.
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1
Cigarettes: containing tobaccoHS 240220
Comes fromIndonesia 82%, 28 source countriesNearest export strengthJackets and blazers: men's or boys', of textile materials n.e.c. in...Exports of this lineUSD 10m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 11mCountries that export it well41Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 284m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Cambodia's export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3); Indonesia supplies 82 per cent (2).
USD 284mdown 5% on 2022 -
2
Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, of yarns of different colours, weighing more than 200g/m2...HS 520942
Comes fromChina 74%, 15 source countriesNearest export strengthCotton yarn: (not sewing thread), single, of uncombed fibres, 85% or... (exports USD 9m)Exports of this lineUSD 1m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 66mCountries that export it well18Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 172m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Cambodia's export strengths in the top 7 per cent (3); China supplies 74 per cent (2).
USD 172mup 48% on 2022 -
3
Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings 60.01 to 60.04, of synthetic fibres, dyedHS 600632
Comes fromChina 78%, 15 source countriesNearest export strengthFabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings... (exports USD 15m)Exports of this lineUSD 802k; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 55mCountries that export it well13Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 384m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Cambodia's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); China supplies 78 per cent (2).
USD 384mdown 23% on 2022 -
4
Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308HS 730890
Comes fromChina 93%, 25 source countriesNearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel (excluding cast iron): tubes and pipes (not... (exports USD 56m)Exports of this lineUSD 4m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 100mCountries that export it well33Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 172m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Cambodia's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); China supplies 93 per cent (2).
USD 172mdown 1% on 2022 -
5
Fabrics, woven: containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing...HS 521142
Comes fromChina 74%, 11 source countriesNearest export strengthCotton yarn: (not sewing thread), single, of uncombed fibres, 85% or... (exports USD 9m)Exports of this lineUSD 880k; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 70mCountries that export it well11Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 128m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Cambodia's export strengths in the top 11 per cent (2); China supplies 74 per cent (2).
USD 128mdown 1% on 2022 -
6
Wood: n.e.c. in heading no. 4408, sheets for veneer or plywood, other wood sawn lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether...HS 440890
Comes fromChina 60%, 18 source countriesNearest export strengthPlywood: with sheets of wood only: not bamboo: each ply 6mm or less... (exports USD 227m)Exports of this lineUSD 438kCountries that export it well37Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 111m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Cambodia's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); China supplies 60 per cent (2).
USD 111mup 40% on 2022 -
7
Food preparations: pasta (excluding stuffed), cooked or otherwise preparedHS 190230
Comes fromThailand 49%, 25 source countriesNearest export strengthnone in the same chapterExports of this lineUSD 7m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 13mCountries that export it well30Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 103m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Cambodia's export strengths in the top 10 per cent (3); Thailand supplies 49 per cent (1).
USD 103mdown 26% on 2022 -
8
Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, forged, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, but including those twisted...HS 721410
Comes fromVietnam 94%, 4 source countriesNearest export strengthFerrous waste and scrap: of alloy steel (excluding stainless) (exports USD 5m)Exports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 47mCountries that export it well10Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 60m, top 16 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Cambodia's export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3); Vietnam supplies 94 per cent (2).
USD 60mup 93% on 2022 -
9
Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics of a width exceeding 30 cm, other than those of heading 60.01, containing by...HS 600410
Comes fromChina 70%, 16 source countriesNearest export strengthFabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings... (exports USD 15m)Exports of this lineUSD 1mCountries that export it well14Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 532m, top 0 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Cambodia's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1); China supplies 70 per cent (2).
USD 532mup 28% on 2022 -
10
Non-alcoholic beverages: other than non-alcoholic beer, n.e.c. in item no. 2202.10, not including fruit, nut or...HS 220299
Comes fromThailand 87%, 27 source countriesNearest export strengthCereal flours: other than wheat, meslin, and maize (corn)Exports of this lineUSD 261k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 205mCountries that export it well41Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 248m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Cambodia's export strengths in the top 32 per cent (1); Thailand supplies 87 per cent (2).
USD 248mdown 9% on 2022 -
11
Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of textured polyester filaments, dyedHS 540752
Comes fromChina 83%, 15 source countriesNearest export strengthnone in the same chapterExports of this lineUSD 126k; 7 more lines in the heading, USD 281mCountries that export it well5Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 220m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Cambodia's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1); China supplies 83 per cent (2).
USD 220mup 59% on 2022 -
12
Telephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networksHS 851713
Comes fromChina 69%, 23 source countriesNearest export strengthElectrical apparatus: photosensitive semiconductor devices... (exports USD 1.4bn)Exports of this lineUSD 3m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 84mCountries that export it well11Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 133m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Cambodia's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1); China supplies 69 per cent (2).
USD 133mdown 26% on 2022 -
13
Paper and paperboard: labels or all kinds, printedHS 482110
Comes fromChina 71%, 38 source countriesNearest export strengthPaper and paperboard: binders, folders and file covers (exports USD 44m)Exports of this lineUSD 809k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 12mCountries that export it well41Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 125m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Cambodia's export strengths in the top 35 per cent (1); China supplies 71 per cent (2).
USD 125mdown 2% on 2022 -
14
Aluminium: casks, drums, cans, boxes and the like for any material (not compressed or liquefied gas), 300l capacity or...HS 761290
Comes fromVietnam 72%, 10 source countriesNearest export strengthAluminium: waste and scrap (exports USD 142m)Exports of this lineUSD 3mCountries that export it well42Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 119m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Cambodia's export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1); Vietnam supplies 72 per cent (2).
USD 119mdown 1% on 2022 -
15
Slide fasteners: other than those fitted with chain scoops of base metalHS 960719
Comes fromChina 61%, 19 source countriesNearest export strengthTravel sets: for personal toilet, sewing, shoe or clothes cleaning (exports USD 33m)Exports of this lineUSD 2m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 94mCountries that export it well13Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 117m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Cambodia's export strengths in the top 36 per cent (1); China supplies 61 per cent (2).
USD 117mup 2% on 2022 -
16
Ceramic tiles: flags and paving, hearth or wall tiles other than those of subheadings 6907.30 and 6907.40, of a water...HS 690721
Comes fromChina 91%, 16 source countriesNearest export strengthnone in the same chapterExports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 28mCountries that export it well16Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 113m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Cambodia's export strengths in the top 27 per cent (1); China supplies 91 per cent (2).
USD 113mup 14% on 2022 -
17
Fabrics: looped pile fabrics, of cotton, knitted or crochetedHS 600121
Comes fromMalaysia 74%, 6 source countriesNearest export strengthFabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings... (exports USD 15m)Exports of this lineUSD 112k; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 75mCountries that export it well14Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 91m, top 10 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Cambodia's export strengths in the top 28 per cent (1); Malaysia supplies 74 per cent (2).
USD 91mup 92% on 2022 -
18
Labels, badges and similar articles: woven, of textile materials, in the piece, in strips or cut to shape or size, not...HS 580710
Comes fromChina 73%, 31 source countriesNearest export strengthEmbroidery: with visible ground, of man-made fibres, in the piece... (exports USD 2m)Exports of this lineUSD 170k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 11mCountries that export it well13Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 65m, top 15 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Cambodia's export strengths in the top 16 per cent (2); China supplies 73 per cent (2).
USD 65mup 12% on 2022 -
19
Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys: dolls' carriages: dolls: other toys: reduced-size (scale)...HS 950300
Comes fromChina 85%, 37 source countriesNearest export strengthChristmas festivity articles (exports USD 174m)Exports of this lineUSD 50mCountries that export it well12Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 57m, top 17 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Cambodia's export strengths in the top 20 per cent (2); China supplies 85 per cent (2).
USD 57mup 27% on 2022 -
20
Rubber thread and cord: textile coveredHS 560410
Comes fromChina 76%, 12 source countriesNearest export strengthYarn: articles of yarn, strip or the like of heading no. 5404 and... (exports USD 4m)Exports of this lineUSD 108kCountries that export it well8Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 24m, top 47 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Cambodia's export strengths in the top 10 per cent (3); China supplies 76 per cent (2).
USD 24mup 51% on 2022
One line per customs heading. Products Cambodia already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.
Scale conversations, not capability ones.
- Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings 60.01 to... imports USD 410m, exports USD 4m, top source Vietnam 85%
- Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings 60.01 to... imports USD 365m, exports USD 15m, top source China 92%
- Sugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing added... imports USD 392m, exports USD 90m, top source Thailand 96%
- Fabrics: knitted or crocheted, other than those of heading 60.01, of a width... imports USD 297m, exports USD 3m, top source Vietnam 93%
- Footwear: parts, outer soles and heels, of rubber or plastics imports USD 101m, exports USD 8m, top source Vietnam 67%
- Footwear: parts, n.e.c. in heading 6406 imports USD 105m, exports USD 14m, top source China 57%
- Chemical elements: doped for use in electronics, in the form of discs, wafers... imports USD 119m, exports USD 30m, top source China 97%
- Electrical apparatus: photosensitive semiconductor devices, photovoltaic cells... imports USD 216m, exports USD 148m, top source China 99%
- Footwear: parts, uppers and parts thereof, other than stiffeners imports USD 63m, exports USD 8m, top source China 85%
- Clothing: worn, and other worn articles imports USD 59m, exports USD 9m, top source China 32%
Three scores, each from a field the record carries.
Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 520 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.
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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