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The twenty imports Hong Kong is best placed to replace.

Hong Kong imported USD 531bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 99bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 10bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
308products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
824products Hong Kong already exports well
1269product 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 Hong Kong already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Hong Kong 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 Hong Kong does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Sunglasses: corrective, protective or otherHS 900410

    Comes fromChina 68%, 53 source countries
    Nearest export strengthOptical elements: lenses n.e.c. in heading no. 9001, prisms, mirrors... (exports USD 238m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 56m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 451m
    Countries that export it well7

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 777m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Hong Kong's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); China supplies 68 per cent (2).

    USD 777mup 24% on 2022
  2. 2

    Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, forged, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, but including those twisted...HS 721410

    Comes fromMalaysia 96%, 4 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFerrous waste and scrap: n.e.c. in heading no. 7204 (exports USD 427m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 529k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 1.0bn
    Countries that export it well10

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 726m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Hong Kong's export strengths in the top 23 per cent (2); Malaysia supplies 96 per cent (2).

    USD 726mdown 12% on 2022
  3. 3

    Footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or...HS 640299

    Comes fromChina 79%, 56 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFootwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6403, (not covering the ankle)... (exports USD 43m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 41m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 45m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 295m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Hong Kong's export strengths in the top 18 per cent (2); China supplies 79 per cent (2).

    USD 295mup 24% on 2022
  4. 4

    Electrical machines and apparatus: having individual functions, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter...HS 854370

    Comes fromChina 64%, 79 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTelephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networks (exports USD 12bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 142m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 19m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 989m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Hong Kong's export strengths in the top 41 per cent (1); China supplies 64 per cent (2).

    USD 989mdown 30% on 2022
  5. 5

    Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys: dolls' carriages: dolls: other toys: reduced-size (scale)...HS 950300

    Comes fromChina 76%, 66 source countries
    Nearest export strengthGames: video game consoles and machines, other than those of... (exports USD 212m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 298m
    Countries that export it well12

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 762m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Hong Kong's export strengths in the top 35 per cent (1); China supplies 76 per cent (2).

    USD 762mdown 1% on 2022
  6. 6

    Waters: other than mineral and aerated, (not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter nor flavoured), ice and...HS 220190

    Comes fromChina 99%, 25 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSpirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages: n.e.c. in heading... (exports USD 266m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 295k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 42m
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 641m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Hong Kong's export strengths in the top 33 per cent (1); China supplies 99 per cent (2).

    USD 641mup 4% on 2022
  7. 7

    Fans: n.e.c. in item no. 8414.51HS 841459

    Comes fromChina 85%, 94 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTurbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kN (exports USD 11bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 94m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 257m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 562m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Hong Kong's export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1); China supplies 85 per cent (2).

    USD 562mdown 1% on 2022
  8. 8

    Jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, waistcoats and similar articles: of cotton, knitted or crochetedHS 611020

    Comes fromChina 63%, 87 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCoats: men's or boys' overcoats, car-coats, capes, anoraks... (exports USD 28m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 99m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 475m
    Countries that export it well37

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 560m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Hong Kong's export strengths in the top 36 per cent (1); China supplies 63 per cent (2).

    USD 560mup 21% on 2022
  9. 9

    Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture or repair of masks and reticles...HS 848640

    Comes fromChina 52%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTurbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kN (exports USD 11bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 68m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 2.3bn
    Countries that export it well9

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 375m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Hong Kong's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); China supplies 52 per cent (1).

    USD 375mup 22% on 2022
  10. 10

    Electrical apparatus: parts for diodes, transistors and similar semiconductor devices and photosensitive semiconductor...HS 854190

    Comes fromMalaysia 23%, 39 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTelephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networks (exports USD 12bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 33m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 1.6bn
    Countries that export it well9

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 364m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Hong Kong's export strengths in the top 10 per cent (3).

    USD 364mdown 51% on 2022
  11. 11

    Printing, copying, and facsimile machines: machines which perform two or more of the functions of printing, copying or...HS 844331

    Comes fromChina 69%, 40 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTurbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kN (exports USD 11bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 72m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 69m
    Countries that export it well10

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 361m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Hong Kong's export strengths in the top 26 per cent (1); China supplies 69 per cent (2).

    USD 361mup 5% on 2022
  12. 12

    Cases and containers: n.e.c. in heading 4202, with outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materialsHS 420292

    Comes fromChina 57%, 64 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCases and containers: n.e.c. in heading 4202, of vulcanised fibre or... (exports USD 16m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 97m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 2.8bn
    Countries that export it well14

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 333m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Hong Kong's export strengths in the top 15 per cent (2); China supplies 57 per cent (1).

    USD 333mup 14% on 2022
  13. 13

    Automatic data processing machines: comprising in the same housing at least a central processing unit and an input and...HS 847141

    Comes fromChina 75%, 52 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTurbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kN (exports USD 11bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 57m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 5.6bn
    Countries that export it well9

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 310m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Hong Kong's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1); China supplies 75 per cent (2).

    USD 310mup 172% on 2022
  14. 14

    Plastics: statuettes and other ornamental articlesHS 392640

    Comes fromChina 97%, 48 source countries
    Nearest export strengthStyrene polymers: in primary forms, n.e.c. in heading no. 3903 (exports USD 132m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 15m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 1.5bn
    Countries that export it well7

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 270m, top 10 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Hong Kong's export strengths in the top 11 per cent (2); China supplies 97 per cent (2).

    USD 270mdown 34% on 2022
  15. 15

    T-shirts, singlets and other vests: of cotton, knitted or crochetedHS 610910

    Comes fromChina 51%, 83 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCoats: men's or boys' overcoats, car-coats, capes, anoraks... (exports USD 28m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 86m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 196m
    Countries that export it well38

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 702m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Hong Kong's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1); China supplies 51 per cent (1).

    USD 702mup 32% on 2022
  16. 16

    Vessels: n.e.c. in heading no. 8901, for the transport of goods and other vessels for the transport of both persons...HS 890190

    Comes fromSouth Korea 48%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 318m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 154m
    Countries that export it well19

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 683m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Hong Kong's export strengths in the top 31 per cent (1); South Korea supplies 48 per cent (1).

    USD 683mup 126% on 2022
  17. 17

    Electric motors: of an output not exceeding 37.5WHS 850110

    Comes fromChina 56%, 52 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTelephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networks (exports USD 12bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 84m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 185m
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 625m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Hong Kong's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1); China supplies 56 per cent (1).

    USD 625mup 15% on 2022
  18. 18

    Instruments, appliances and machines: for measuring or checking n.e.c. in chapter 90HS 903180

    Comes fromChina 42%, 64 source countries
    Nearest export strengthOptical elements: lenses n.e.c. in heading no. 9001, prisms, mirrors... (exports USD 238m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 78m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 675m
    Countries that export it well23

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 457m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Hong Kong's export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1); China supplies 42 per cent (1).

    USD 457mdown 12% on 2022
  19. 19

    Optical elements: polarising material, sheets and plates thereofHS 900120

    Comes fromSouth Korea 32%, 18 source countries
    Nearest export strengthOptical elements: lenses n.e.c. in heading no. 9001, prisms, mirrors... (exports USD 238m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 12m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 382m
    Countries that export it well3

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 370m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Hong Kong's export strengths in the top 17 per cent (2).

    USD 370mdown 20% on 2022
  20. 20

    Footwear: (other than sportswear), with outer soles of rubber or plastics and uppers of textile materialsHS 640419

    Comes fromChina 47%, 59 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFootwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6403, (not covering the ankle)... (exports USD 43m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 47m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 265m
    Countries that export it well24

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 291m, top 10 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Hong Kong's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1); China supplies 47 per cent (1).

    USD 291mup 12% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Hong Kong 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.

  • Electronic integrated circuits: processors and controllers, whether or not... imports USD 86bn, exports USD 6.8bn, top source China 31%
  • Electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542 imports USD 81bn, exports USD 3.4bn, top source China 36%
  • Electronic integrated circuits: memories imports USD 43bn, exports USD 1.6bn, top source South Korea 40%
  • Telephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networks imports USD 34bn, exports USD 12bn, top source China 82%
  • Machinery: parts and accessories (other than covers, carrying cases and the... imports USD 19bn, exports USD 3.8bn, top source China 54%
  • Communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines... imports USD 15bn, exports USD 2.6bn, top source China 41%
  • Units of automatic data processing machines: n.e.c. in item no. 8471.50... imports USD 12bn, exports USD 916m, top source Taiwan 59%
  • Electrical apparatus: transistors, (other than photosensitive), with a... imports USD 6.8bn, exports USD 195m, top source China 62%
  • Circuits: printed imports USD 8.0bn, exports USD 1.7bn, top source China 81%
  • Automatic data processing machines: portable, weighing not more than 10kg... imports USD 7.4bn, exports USD 1.3bn, top source China 91%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 1269 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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