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The twenty imports Luxembourg is best placed to replace.

Luxembourg imported USD 22bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 17bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 2.4bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
46products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
817products Luxembourg already exports well
402product 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 Luxembourg already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Luxembourg 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 Luxembourg does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses...HS 300490

    Comes fromBelgium 83%, 65 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWadding, gauze, bandages and similar articles: (excluding adhesive... (exports USD 5m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 108m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 27m
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 651m, top 0 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Luxembourg's export strengths in the top 41 per cent (1); Belgium supplies 83 per cent (2).

    USD 651mup 24% on 2022
  2. 2

    Vehicle parts and accessories: n.e.c. in heading no. 8708HS 870899

    Comes fromBelgium 63%, 64 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTrailers and semi-trailers: (other than tanker type) (exports USD 240m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 51m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 69m
    Countries that export it well28

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 116m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Luxembourg's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1); Belgium supplies 63 per cent (2).

    USD 116mup 42% on 2022
  3. 3

    Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but...HS 870323

    Comes fromBelgium 44%, 30 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTrailers and semi-trailers: (other than tanker type) (exports USD 240m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 95m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 1.3bn
    Countries that export it well15

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 427m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Luxembourg's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1); Belgium supplies 44 per cent (1).

    USD 427mup 9% on 2022
  4. 4

    Ferrous waste and scrap: n.e.c. in heading no. 7204HS 720449

    Comes fromGermany 46%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: H sections, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or... (exports USD 771m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 23m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 25m
    Countries that export it well67

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 416m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Luxembourg's export strengths in the top 36 per cent (1); Germany supplies 46 per cent (1).

    USD 416mdown 9% on 2022
  5. 5

    Aluminium: waste and scrapHS 760200

    Comes fromGermany 52%, 12 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAluminium: unwrought, alloys (exports USD 272m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 17m
    Countries that export it well77

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 217m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Luxembourg's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1); Germany supplies 52 per cent (1).

    USD 217mdown 34% on 2022
  6. 6

    Blood, human or animal, antisera, other blood fractions and immunological products: immunological products, put up in...HS 300215

    Comes fromSwitzerland 41%, 20 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWadding, gauze, bandages and similar articles: (excluding adhesive... (exports USD 5m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 429k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 30m
    Countries that export it well17

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 97m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Luxembourg's export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1); Switzerland supplies 41 per cent (1).

    USD 97mdown 27% on 2022
  7. 7

    Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, not fitted with connectorsHS 854449

    Comes fromGermany 66%, 49 source countries
    Nearest export strengthBoards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases: for electric... (exports USD 87m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 73m
    Countries that export it well35

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 53m, top 17 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Luxembourg's export strengths in the top 47 per cent (1); Germany supplies 66 per cent (2).

    USD 53mup 12% on 2022
  8. 8

    Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), of polymers of ethylene, non-cellular and not...HS 392010

    Comes fromGermany 54%, 38 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: plates, sheets, film, foil, tape, strip, other flat shapes... (exports USD 472m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 13m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 29m
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 65m, top 15 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Luxembourg's export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1); Germany supplies 54 per cent (1).

    USD 65mdown 17% on 2022
  9. 9

    Dog or cat food: put up for retail sale, used in animal feedingHS 230910

    Comes fromGermany 40%, 58 source countries
    Nearest export strengthOil-cake and other solid residues: whether or not ground or in the... (exports USD 17m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 40m
    Countries that export it well26

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 45m, top 21 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Luxembourg's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1); Germany supplies 40 per cent (1).

    USD 45mdown 22% on 2022
  10. 10

    Printed matter: books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter n.e.c. in item no. 4901.10 or 4901.91HS 490199

    Comes fromGermany 46%, 90 source countries
    Nearest export strengthNewspapers, journals and periodicals: whether or not illustrated or... (exports USD 3m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 4m
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 45m, top 21 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Luxembourg's export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1); Germany supplies 46 per cent (1).

    USD 45mup 10% on 2022
  11. 11

    Rubber: unvulcanised, compounded with carbon black or silica, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or stripHS 400510

    Comes fromCzech Republic 73%, 17 source countries
    Nearest export strengthRubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on buses or lorries (exports USD 562m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 829k
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 32m, top 32 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Luxembourg's export strengths in the top 47 per cent (1); Czech Republic supplies 73 per cent (2).

    USD 32mup 113% on 2022
  12. 12

    Non-alcoholic beverages: other than non-alcoholic beer, n.e.c. in item no. 2202.10, not including fruit, nut or...HS 220299

    Comes fromBelgium 49%, 48 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWaters: including mineral and aerated, containing added sugar or... (exports USD 18m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 7m
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 36m, top 27 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Luxembourg's export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1); Belgium supplies 49 per cent (1).

    USD 36mup 60% on 2022
  13. 13

    Pebbles, gravel, broken or crushed stone: of a kind commonly used for concrete aggregates, for road metalling or for...HS 251710

    Comes fromGermany 49%, 18 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCement: portland, other than white, whether or not artificially... (exports USD 41m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 582k
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 36m, top 28 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Luxembourg's export strengths in the top 40 per cent (1); Germany supplies 49 per cent (1).

    USD 36mdown 13% on 2022
  14. 14

    Meat preparations: sausages and similar products, of meat, meat offal, blood or insects, and food preparations based...HS 160100

    Comes fromBelgium 43%, 50 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFish preparations: caviar (exports USD 2m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m
    Countries that export it well37

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 32m, top 31 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Luxembourg's export strengths in the top 32 per cent (1); Belgium supplies 43 per cent (1).

    USD 32mup 9% on 2022
  15. 15

    Spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages: n.e.c. in heading no. 2208HS 220890

    Comes fromBelgium 52%, 45 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWaters: including mineral and aerated, containing added sugar or... (exports USD 18m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 26m, top 38 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Luxembourg's export strengths in the top 50 per cent (1); Belgium supplies 52 per cent (1).

    USD 26mup 10% on 2022
  16. 16

    Plastics: builders' ware, n.e.c. or included in heading no. 3925HS 392590

    Comes fromGermany 55%, 54 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: plates, sheets, film, foil, tape, strip, other flat shapes... (exports USD 472m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m
    Countries that export it well37

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 25m, top 40 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Luxembourg's export strengths in the top 37 per cent (1); Germany supplies 55 per cent (1).

    USD 25mdown 22% on 2022
  17. 17

    Meat preparations: of the poultry of heading no. 0105, (i.e. of fowls of the species Gallus domesticus)HS 160232

    Comes fromBelgium 53%, 45 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFish preparations: caviar (exports USD 2m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 23m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 24m, top 42 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Luxembourg's export strengths in the top 35 per cent (1); Belgium supplies 53 per cent (1).

    USD 24mup 9% on 2022
  18. 18

    Paints and varnishes: based on acrylic or vinyl polymers, dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous mediumHS 320910

    Comes fromGermany 68%, 29 source countries
    Nearest export strengthColouring matter: pigments and preparations based on titanium... (exports USD 71m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m
    Countries that export it well35

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 13m, top 79 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Luxembourg's export strengths in the top 38 per cent (1); Germany supplies 68 per cent (2).

    USD 13mdown 6% on 2022
  19. 19

    Heat pumps: other than air conditioning machines of heading no. 8415HS 841861

    Comes fromGermany 73%, 22 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTurbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kN (exports USD 754m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 877k
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 13m, top 83 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Luxembourg's export strengths in the top 47 per cent (1); Germany supplies 73 per cent (2).

    USD 13mup 28% on 2022
  20. 20

    Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of polymers of styrene, cellularHS 392111

    Comes fromGermany 63%, 18 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: plates, sheets, film, foil, tape, strip, other flat shapes... (exports USD 472m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 423k
    Countries that export it well31

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 11m, top 94 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Luxembourg's export strengths in the top 34 per cent (1); Germany supplies 63 per cent (2).

    USD 11mdown 41% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Luxembourg 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.

  • Ferrous waste and scrap: turnings, shavings, chips, milling waste, sawdust... imports USD 259m, exports USD 5m, top source France 54%
  • Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine... imports USD 383m, exports USD 155m, top source Germany 36%
  • Rubber: technically specified natural rubber (TSNR), in primary forms or in... imports USD 193m, exports USD 15m, top source Indonesia 38%
  • Tobacco: smoking, other than water pipe tobacco, whether or not containing... imports USD 186m, exports USD 53m, top source Germany 35%
  • Waters: including mineral and aerated, containing added sugar or other... imports USD 135m, exports USD 18m, top source Belgium 58%
  • Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity of 78ml/g... imports USD 121m, exports USD 11m, top source Germany 32%
  • Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston... imports USD 204m, exports USD 109m, top source Germany 33%
  • Tools, interchangeable: (for machine or hand tools, whether or not... imports USD 76m, exports USD 4m, top source France 27%
  • Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine... imports USD 89m, exports USD 21m, top source Belgium 40%
  • Vehicles: public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including... imports USD 70m, exports USD 15m, top source Germany 54%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 402 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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