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The twenty imports Singapore is best placed to replace.

Singapore imported USD 298bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 254bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 27bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
432products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
572products Singapore already exports well
1545product 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 Singapore already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Singapore 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 Singapore does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Wrist-watches: whether or not incorporating a stop-watch facility, with automatic windingHS 910221

    Comes fromSwitzerland 95%, 60 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWrist-watches: (not electrically operated), automatic winding... (exports USD 400m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 213m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 139m
    Countries that export it well6

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 692m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Singapore's export strengths in the top 10 per cent (3); Switzerland supplies 95 per cent (2).

    USD 692mup 2% on 2022
  2. 2

    Communication apparatus: parts, other than aerials and aerial reflectors of all kindsHS 851779

    Comes fromChina 69%, 82 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectronic integrated circuits: processors and controllers, whether... (exports USD 30bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 724m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 5.8bn
    Countries that export it well8

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 1.9bn, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Singapore's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); China supplies 69 per cent (2).

    USD 1.9bnup 18% on 2022
  3. 3

    Silicon: containing by weight not less than 99.99% of siliconHS 280461

    Comes fromGermany 80%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFluorides: of aluminium (exports USD 86m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 9m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 95m
    Countries that export it well6

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 103m, top 21 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Singapore's export strengths in the top 10 per cent (3); Germany supplies 80 per cent (2).

    USD 103mdown 31% on 2022
  4. 4

    Aircraft and spacecraft: parts of aeroplanes, helicopters or unmanned aircraft n.e.c. in heading no. 8807HS 880730

    Comes fromUnited States 69%, 121 source countries
    Nearest export strengthUnmanned aircraft: for remote-controlled flight only, for other than... (exports USD 4m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1.1bn; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 312m
    Countries that export it well17

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 3.9bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Singapore's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1); United States supplies 69 per cent (2).

    USD 3.9bnup 18% on 2022
  5. 5

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

    Comes fromUnited States 69%, 11 source countries
    Nearest export strengthUnmanned aircraft: for remote-controlled flight only, for other than... (exports USD 4m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 281m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 130m
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 2.7bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Singapore's export strengths in the top 36 per cent (1); United States supplies 69 per cent (2).

    USD 2.7bnup 10% on 2022
  6. 6

    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 89%, 19 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFloating or submersible drilling or production platforms (exports USD 707m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 525m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 76m
    Countries that export it well19

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 2.6bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Singapore's export strengths in the top 34 per cent (1); South Korea supplies 89 per cent (2).

    USD 2.6bnup 215% on 2022
  7. 7

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

    Comes fromIndonesia 51%, 88 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectronic integrated circuits: processors and controllers, whether... (exports USD 30bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 583m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 15m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 1.6bn, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Singapore's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); Indonesia supplies 51 per cent (1).

    USD 1.6bndown 28% on 2022
  8. 8

    Vessels: other, including lifeboats other than rowing boats, other than warshipsHS 890690

    Comes fromSaudi Arabia 77%, 28 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFloating or submersible drilling or production platforms (exports USD 707m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 92m
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 619m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Singapore's export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1); Saudi Arabia supplies 77 per cent (2).

    USD 619mfrom USD 30m in 2022
  9. 9

    Heterocyclic compounds: n.e.c. in headings no. 2933HS 293399

    Comes fromIndia 90%, 36 source countries
    Nearest export strengthNucleic acids and their salts, other heterocyclic compounds, n.e.c.... (exports USD 2.8bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 12m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 94m
    Countries that export it well10

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 428m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Singapore's export strengths in the top 33 per cent (1); India supplies 90 per cent (2).

    USD 428mdown 72% on 2022
  10. 10

    Electrical apparatus: photosensitive semiconductor devices, light emitting diodes (LED)HS 854141

    Comes fromMalaysia 48%, 49 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectronic integrated circuits: processors and controllers, whether... (exports USD 30bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 184m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 205m
    Countries that export it well9

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 405m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Singapore's export strengths in the top 11 per cent (2); Malaysia supplies 48 per cent (1).

    USD 405mdown 3% on 2022
  11. 11

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

    Comes fromMalaysia 98%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFerro-alloys: ferro-niobium (exports USD 76m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 8m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 513m
    Countries that export it well10

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 339m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Singapore's export strengths in the top 34 per cent (1); Malaysia supplies 98 per cent (2).

    USD 339mup 66% on 2022
  12. 12

    Acids: saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids: esters of acetic acid n.e.c. in item no. 2915.3HS 291539

    Comes fromChina 85%, 30 source countries
    Nearest export strengthNucleic acids and their salts, other heterocyclic compounds, n.e.c.... (exports USD 2.8bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 11m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 76m
    Countries that export it well10

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 316m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Singapore's export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1); China supplies 85 per cent (2).

    USD 316mup 142% on 2022
  13. 13

    Air conditioning machines: comprising a motor-driven fan and elements for changing the temperature and humidity, of a...HS 841510

    Comes fromThailand 77%, 31 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMachines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the... (exports USD 11bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 140m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 275m
    Countries that export it well6

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 282m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Singapore's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1); Thailand supplies 77 per cent (2).

    USD 282mdown 7% on 2022
  14. 14

    Games: video game consoles and machines, other than those of subheading 9504.30HS 950450

    Comes fromChina 65%, 47 source countries
    Nearest export strengthGames: playing cards (exports USD 88m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 163m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 109m
    Countries that export it well7

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 254m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Singapore's export strengths in the top 50 per cent (1); China supplies 65 per cent (2).

    USD 254mup 12% on 2022
  15. 15

    Propylene, other olefin polymers: polyisobutylene in primary formsHS 390220

    Comes fromSouth Korea 60%, 15 source countries
    Nearest export strengthEthylene polymers: in primary forms, ethylene-alpha-olefin... (exports USD 2.2bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 9m
    Countries that export it well9

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 151m, top 15 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Singapore's export strengths in the top 20 per cent (2); South Korea supplies 60 per cent (2).

    USD 151mdown 5% on 2022
  16. 16

    Photographic goods: chemical preparations other than sensitised emulsions, put up in measured portions or put up for...HS 370790

    Comes fromJapan 54%, 30 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPhotographic plates and film: (for other than colour photography)... (exports USD 68m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 30m
    Countries that export it well4

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 101m, top 22 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Singapore's export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3); Japan supplies 54 per cent (1).

    USD 101mdown 19% on 2022
  17. 17

    Machinery: parts and accessories (other than covers, carrying cases and the like) of the machines of heading no. 8471HS 847330

    Comes fromChina 31%, 108 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMachines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the... (exports USD 11bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2.0bn; 1 more line in the heading, USD 14m
    Countries that export it well9

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 4.2bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Singapore's export strengths in the top 16 per cent (2).

    USD 4.2bnup 1% on 2022
  18. 18

    Units of automatic data processing machines: n.e.c. in item no. 8471.50, 8471.60 or 8471.70HS 847180

    Comes fromTaiwan 51%, 83 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMachines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the... (exports USD 11bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 370m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 2.8bn
    Countries that export it well8

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 4.0bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Singapore's export strengths in the top 30 per cent (1); Taiwan supplies 51 per cent (1).

    USD 4.0bnup 350% on 2022
  19. 19

    Turbines: parts of gas turbines (excluding turbo-jets and turbo-propellers)HS 841199

    Comes fromUnited States 55%, 66 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMachines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the... (exports USD 11bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 308m
    Countries that export it well15

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 1.7bn, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Singapore's export strengths in the top 30 per cent (1); United States supplies 55 per cent (1).

    USD 1.7bnup 28% on 2022
  20. 20

    Pumps and compressors: for air, vacuum or gas, n.e.c. in heading no. 8414HS 841480

    Comes fromBrazil 44%, 65 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMachines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the... (exports USD 11bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 97m; 7 more lines in the heading, USD 1.1bn
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 726m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Singapore's export strengths in the top 45 per cent (1); Brazil supplies 44 per cent (1).

    USD 726mup 197% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Singapore 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: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542 imports USD 29bn, exports USD 23bn, top source Taiwan 53%
  • Electronic integrated circuits: processors and controllers, whether or not... imports USD 37bn, exports USD 30bn, top source Taiwan 44%
  • Communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines... imports USD 6.2bn, exports USD 3.5bn, top source China 27%
  • Turbines: parts of turbo-jets and turbo-propellers imports USD 4.6bn, exports USD 2.0bn, top source United Kingdom 53%
  • Machines and apparatus of heading 8486: parts and accessories imports USD 4.2bn, exports USD 1.7bn, top source Malaysia 34%
  • Tankers imports USD 2.7bn, exports USD 447m, top source South Korea 43%
  • Units of automatic data processing machines: processing units other than those... imports USD 6.2bn, exports USD 4.3bn, top source Malaysia 25%
  • Automatic data processing machines: presented in the form of systems, n.e.c.... imports USD 2.4bn, exports USD 873m, top source Taiwan 71%
  • Ethers: acyclic, and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated... imports USD 1.8bn, exports USD 281m, top source China 46%
  • Parts of electronic integrated circuits imports USD 2.5bn, exports USD 1.6bn, top source Taiwan 30%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 1545 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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