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The twenty imports Taiwan is best placed to replace.

Taiwan imported USD 273bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 510bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 15bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
449products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
841products Taiwan already exports well
1606product 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 Taiwan already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Taiwan 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 Taiwan does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor boules or wafersHS 848610

    Comes fromJapan 58%, 15 source countries
    Nearest export strengthUnits of automatic data processing machines: processing units other... (exports USD 24bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 67m
    Countries that export it well4

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 612m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 5 per cent (3); Japan supplies 58 per cent (1).

    USD 612mup 3% on 2022
  2. 2

    Telephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networksHS 851713

    Comes fromChina 83%, 31 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542 (exports USD 108bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 196m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 63m
    Countries that export it well11

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 3.0bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 50 per cent (1); China supplies 83 per cent (2).

    USD 3.0bnup 121% on 2022
  3. 3

    Vehicles: with only electric motor for propulsionHS 870380

    Comes fromGermany 56%, 19 source countries
    Nearest export strengthBicycles and other cycles: including delivery tricycles, not motorised (exports USD 1.2bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m; 10 more lines in the heading, USD 6.5bn
    Countries that export it well10

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 1.5bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 20 per cent (2); Germany supplies 56 per cent (1).

    USD 1.5bnup 96% on 2022
  4. 4

    Turbines: parts of turbo-jets and turbo-propellersHS 841191

    Comes fromUnited States 82%, 39 source countries
    Nearest export strengthUnits of automatic data processing machines: processing units other... (exports USD 24bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 931m; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 1.9bn
    Countries that export it well12

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 1.4bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1); United States supplies 82 per cent (2).

    USD 1.4bnup 175% on 2022
  5. 5

    Automatic data processing machines: portable, weighing not more than 10kg, consisting of at least a central processing...HS 847130

    Comes fromChina 93%, 51 source countries
    Nearest export strengthUnits of automatic data processing machines: processing units other... (exports USD 24bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2.9bn; 1 more line in the heading, USD 245m
    Countries that export it well4

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 1.3bn, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1); China supplies 93 per cent (2).

    USD 1.3bndown 20% on 2022
  6. 6

    Electric accumulators: lithium-ion, including separators, whether or not rectangular (including square)HS 850760

    Comes fromChina 66%, 48 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542 (exports USD 108bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 703m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 169m
    Countries that export it well7

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 1.2bn, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 29 per cent (1); China supplies 66 per cent (2).

    USD 1.2bnup 17% on 2022
  7. 7

    Electrical apparatus: plugs and sockets, for a voltage not exceeding 1000 voltsHS 853669

    Comes fromChina 71%, 70 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542 (exports USD 108bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 434m; 7 more lines in the heading, USD 1.0bn
    Countries that export it well15

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 1.1bn, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 36 per cent (1); China supplies 71 per cent (2).

    USD 1.1bnup 268% on 2022
  8. 8

    Glass: articles n.e.c. in chapter 70HS 702000

    Comes fromChina 54%, 41 source countries
    Nearest export strengthGlass of heading no. 7003, 7004 or 7005: bent, edge-worked... (exports USD 313m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 103m
    Countries that export it well13

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 490m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); China supplies 54 per cent (1).

    USD 490mup 106% on 2022
  9. 9

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

    Comes fromChina 64%, 55 source countries
    Nearest export strengthUnits of automatic data processing machines: processing units other... (exports USD 24bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 316m; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 922m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 369m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 47 per cent (1); China supplies 64 per cent (2).

    USD 369mup 46% on 2022
  10. 10

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

    Comes fromChina 51%, 17 source countries
    Nearest export strengthUnits of automatic data processing machines: processing units other... (exports USD 24bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 6m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 396m
    Countries that export it well6

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 302m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); China supplies 51 per cent (1).

    USD 302mdown 41% on 2022
  11. 11

    Lasers: other than laser diodesHS 901320

    Comes fromUnited States 40%, 37 source countries
    Nearest export strengthLenses: objective, (other than for cameras, projectors or... (exports USD 1.5bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 84m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 20m
    Countries that export it well13

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 270m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 19 per cent (2); United States supplies 40 per cent (1).

    USD 270mdown 15% on 2022
  12. 12

    Iron or non-alloy steel: (not in coils), flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, without patterns in...HS 720851

    Comes fromJapan 70%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: in coils, without patterns in relief... (exports USD 969m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 42m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 69m
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 251m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1); Japan supplies 70 per cent (2).

    USD 251mdown 7% on 2022
  13. 13

    Mechanical shovels, excavators and shovel loaders: with a 360 degree revolving super structureHS 842952

    Comes fromJapan 83%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthUnits of automatic data processing machines: processing units other... (exports USD 24bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 53m
    Countries that export it well11

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 204m, top 10 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); Japan supplies 83 per cent (2).

    USD 204mdown 8% on 2022
  14. 14

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

    Comes fromSwitzerland 95%, 31 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWrist-watches: electrically operated, with or without a stop-watch... (exports USD 82m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 8m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 64m
    Countries that export it well6

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 202m, top 10 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 19 per cent (2); Switzerland supplies 95 per cent (2).

    USD 202mup 4% on 2022
  15. 15

    Gold compoundsHS 284330

    Comes fromSwitzerland 99%, 10 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSodium hydroxide (caustic soda): in aqueous solution (soda lye or... (exports USD 295m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 20m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 107m
    Countries that export it well12

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 156m, top 14 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 14 per cent (2); Switzerland supplies 99 per cent (2).

    USD 156mup 21% on 2022
  16. 16

    Flat panel display modules, whether or not incorporating touch-sensitive screens: of organic light-emitting diodes...HS 852492

    Comes fromChina 87%, 18 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542 (exports USD 108bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 30m
    Countries that export it well3

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 109m, top 19 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 20 per cent (2); China supplies 87 per cent (2).

    USD 109mup 200% on 2022
  17. 17

    Salts of oxometallic or peroxometallic acids: n.e.c. in heading no. 2841HS 284190

    Comes fromChina 65%, 22 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSodium hydroxide (caustic soda): in aqueous solution (soda lye or... (exports USD 295m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 10m
    Countries that export it well3

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 68m, top 29 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 7 per cent (3); China supplies 65 per cent (2).

    USD 68mup 82% on 2022
  18. 18

    Electrical static convertersHS 850440

    Comes fromChina 55%, 79 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542 (exports USD 108bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2.1bn; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 511m
    Countries that export it well19

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 1.7bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1); China supplies 55 per cent (1).

    USD 1.7bndown 7% on 2022
  19. 19

    Iron or non-alloy steel: semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel: containing by weight less than 0.25% of...HS 720712

    Comes fromJapan 52%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: in coils, without patterns in relief... (exports USD 969m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 52m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 1.2bn
    Countries that export it well14

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 469m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1); Japan supplies 52 per cent (1).

    USD 469mdown 28% on 2022
  20. 20

    Reagents: diagnostic or laboratory reagents on a backing, prepared diagnostic or laboratory reagents whether or not on...HS 382219

    Comes fromUnited States 46%, 53 source countries
    Nearest export strengthChemical elements: doped for use in electronics, in the form of... (exports USD 1.3bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 276m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 16m
    Countries that export it well13

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 362m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1); United States supplies 46 per cent (1).

    USD 362mdown 55% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Taiwan 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.

  • Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the... imports USD 10bn, exports USD 3.0bn, top source Netherlands 28%
  • Electronic integrated circuits: memories imports USD 34bn, exports USD 28bn, top source South Korea 50%
  • Machines and apparatus of heading 8486: parts and accessories imports USD 5.1bn, exports USD 1.9bn, top source United States 31%
  • Instruments and apparatus: for measuring or checking semiconductor wafers or... imports USD 2.3bn, exports USD 398m, top source Malaysia 58%
  • Chemical elements: doped for use in electronics, in the form of discs, wafers... imports USD 3.0bn, exports USD 1.3bn, top source Japan 58%
  • Instruments, apparatus for measuring, checking electrical quantities, not... imports USD 1.6bn, exports USD 645m, top source Malaysia 23%
  • Photographic goods: chemical preparations other than sensitised emulsions, put... imports USD 1.0bn, exports USD 335m, top source Japan 84%
  • Steel, stainless: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, in coils, of a... imports USD 777m, exports USD 132m, top source Indonesia 77%
  • Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the... imports USD 883m, exports USD 317m, top source South Korea 31%
  • Steel, stainless: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, in coils, of a... imports USD 541m, exports USD 88m, top source Indonesia 91%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 1606 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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