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The twenty imports Mongolia is best placed to replace.

Mongolia imported USD 7.7bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 282m. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 1.6bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
67products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
83products Mongolia already exports well
134product 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 Mongolia already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Mongolia 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 Mongolia does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

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

    Comes fromChina 100%, 2 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well45

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 118m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Mongolia's export strengths in the top 2 per cent (3); China supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 118mdown 47% on 2022
  2. 2

    Machines, for sorting, screening, separating, washing, crushing etc mineral substances, for agglomerating, shaping or...HS 847490

    Comes fromChina 71%, 28 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 42k; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 51m
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 93m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Mongolia's export strengths in the top 18 per cent (2); China supplies 71 per cent (2).

    USD 93mup 78% on 2022
  3. 3

    Cigarettes: containing tobaccoHS 240220

    Comes fromSouth Korea 63%, 15 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 138k
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 74m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Mongolia's export strengths in the top 4 per cent (3); South Korea supplies 63 per cent (2).

    USD 74mup 7% on 2022
  4. 4

    Iron or steel: grinding balls and similar articles for mills, forged or stamped, but not further workedHS 732611

    Comes fromChina 100%, 1 source country
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 30m
    Countries that export it well14

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 38m, top 20 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Mongolia's export strengths in the top 5 per cent (3); China supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 38mdown 38% on 2022
  5. 5

    Vehicles: dumpers, designed for off-highway use, for transport of goodsHS 870410

    Comes fromChina 66%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 109m
    Countries that export it well21

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 482m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Mongolia's export strengths in the top 34 per cent (1); China supplies 66 per cent (2).

    USD 482mup 291% on 2022
  6. 6

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

    Comes fromChina 100%, 1 source country
    Nearest export strengthHelicopters, except unmanned: of an unladen weight not exceeding... (exports USD 2m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 33m
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 165m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Mongolia's export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1); China supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 165mup 25% on 2022
  7. 7

    Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308HS 730890

    Comes fromChina 94%, 19 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFurnishing articles: of textile materials other than cotton or...
    Exports of this lineUSD 3k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 12m
    Countries that export it well33

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 144m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Mongolia's export strengths in the top 26 per cent (1); China supplies 94 per cent (2).

    USD 144mup 107% on 2022
  8. 8

    Vehicles: public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), with only compression-ignition...HS 870210

    Comes fromChina 83%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 68m, top 13 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Mongolia's export strengths in the top 21 per cent (2); China supplies 83 per cent (2).

    USD 68mup 362% on 2022
  9. 9

    Rail locomotives: diesel-electric poweredHS 860210

    Comes fromUnited States 100%, 2 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well14

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 36m, top 24 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Mongolia's export strengths in the top 23 per cent (2); United States supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 36mup 22% on 2022
  10. 10

    Food preparations: pasta (excluding stuffed), cooked or otherwise preparedHS 190230

    Comes fromChina 68%, 15 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 5k
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 34m, top 26 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Mongolia's export strengths in the top 1 per cent (3); China supplies 68 per cent (2).

    USD 34mup 33% on 2022
  11. 11

    Iron or steel (excluding cast iron): tubes, pipes and hollow profiles (not seamless), welded, of square or rectangular...HS 730661

    Comes fromChina 100%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 51m
    Countries that export it well40

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 20m, top 45 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Mongolia's export strengths in the top 7 per cent (3); China supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 20mdown 32% on 2022
  12. 12

    Paper articles: toilet paperHS 481810

    Comes fromChina 89%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well40

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 20m, top 49 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Mongolia's export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3); China supplies 89 per cent (2).

    USD 20mup 85% on 2022
  13. 13

    Cosmetic and toilet preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for the care of the skin (excluding medicaments...HS 330499

    Comes fromSouth Korea 68%, 38 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 152k
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 51m, top 16 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Mongolia's export strengths in the top 34 per cent (1); South Korea supplies 68 per cent (2).

    USD 51mup 20% on 2022
  14. 14

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

    Comes fromChina 72%, 38 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 20k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 24m
    Countries that export it well29

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 48m, top 16 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Mongolia's export strengths in the top 36 per cent (1); China supplies 72 per cent (2).

    USD 48mup 336% on 2022
  15. 15

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

    Comes fromChina 94%, 21 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 18m
    Countries that export it well35

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 44m, top 17 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Mongolia's export strengths in the top 30 per cent (1); China supplies 94 per cent (2).

    USD 44mup 33% on 2022
  16. 16

    Chassis: fitted with engines, for the motor vehicles of heading no. 8701 to 8705HS 870600

    Comes fromChina 100%, 3 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMeat: of horses, asses, mules or hinnies, fresh, chilled or frozen
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well19

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 37m, top 22 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Mongolia's export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1); China supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 37mfrom USD 836k in 2022
  17. 17

    Sugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matterHS 170199

    Comes fromChina 85%, 11 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well44

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 18m, top 57 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Mongolia's export strengths in the top 5 per cent (3); China supplies 85 per cent (2).

    USD 18mdown 59% on 2022
  18. 18

    Cement: portland, other than white, whether or not artificially colouredHS 252329

    Comes fromChina 100%, 3 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFluorspar: containing by weight 97% or less of calcium fluoride (exports USD 171m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well54

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 12m, top 83 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Mongolia's export strengths in the top 3 per cent (3); China supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 12mup 260% on 2022
  19. 19

    Sacks and bags: of a kind used for the packing of goods, of man-made textile materials, of polyethylene or...HS 630533

    Comes fromChina 100%, 2 source countries
    Nearest export strengthBlankets (other than electric blankets) and travelling rugs: of wool... (exports USD 494k)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well44

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 11m, top 95 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Mongolia's export strengths in the top 1 per cent (3); China supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 11mup 30% on 2022
  20. 20

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

    Comes fromSlovenia 18%, 39 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 33k
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 95m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Mongolia's export strengths in the top 37 per cent (1).

    USD 95mdown 17% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Mongolia 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.

No line where the country already exports well and still imports more than it sells abroad.

How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 134 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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