China 2025 Annual Trade Data: Record High Volume Creates New Opportunities for Freight Forwarders
TL;DR: On January 14, 2026, China's General Administration of Customs released the 2025 full-year trade data. Total imports and exports reached 45.47 trillion yuan, up 3.8% YoY, cementing China's position as the world's largest goods trading nation. Exports hit 26.99 trillion yuan (+6.1%), while imports reached 18.48 trillion yuan (+0.5%). Belt and Road trade exceeded 51% of total volume, high-tech and green products led export growth, and private enterprises further consolidated their role as trade leaders.
1) Trade Volume Hits All-Time High
According to the latest statistics from China's General Administration of Customs, the country's total goods trade exceeded the 45 trillion yuan threshold for the first time in 2025, reaching 45.47 trillion yuan—up 3.8% year-on-year and setting a new historical record. This achievement marks China's continued leadership as the world's largest goods trading nation, driving sustained growth in international freight forwarding, ocean shipping logistics, and customs clearance services.
Exports totaled 26.99 trillion yuan, up 6.1%, while imports reached 18.48 trillion yuan, rising 0.5%. The significantly higher export growth underscores China's manufacturing sector's enduring competitive edge in global supply chains.
2) Trade Partners Become More Diversified
In 2025, China maintained trade relations with over 240 countries and regions, with more than 190 of them seeing positive trade growth. This diversification of trading partners opens up broader opportunities for international logistics, cross-border freight, and supply chain management services.
- Belt and Road Countries: Total trade reached 23.6 trillion yuan, up 6.3%, accounting for 51.9% of China's total trade volume and serving as the primary engine of trade growth.
- ASEAN: Trade hit 7.55 trillion yuan, up 8%, maintaining ASEAN's position as China's largest trading partner.
- Latin America: Trade reached 3.93 trillion yuan, up 6.5%, reflecting continued potential in emerging markets.
- Africa: Trade hit 2.49 trillion yuan, surging 18.4%—the fastest growth among all global regions.
3) Export Structure Continues to Upgrade
In 2025, China's export portfolio continued its shift toward high-end and green products, creating new demand for ocean freight forwarding, air cargo logistics, and specialized international transportation services.
- High-Tech Product Exports: Reached 5.25 trillion yuan, up 13.2%, spanning electronics, precision instruments, and aerospace equipment.
- "New Three" and Green Products: Electric vehicles, lithium batteries, and solar panels all posted strong export growth, with wind turbines up 48.7%.
- Proprietary Brand Products: Exports grew 12.9%, with their share of total exports rising by 1.4 percentage points, signaling expanding global influence of Chinese brands.
"The surge in new energy vehicle and solar equipment exports demands higher standards for bulk ocean freight, container shipping, and specialized logistics solutions."
4) Imports Remain Stable
Despite international price volatility, China's imports maintained positive growth for three consecutive quarters starting in Q2 2025. Key import highlights include:
- Mechanical and Electrical Products: Imports reached 7.41 trillion yuan, up 5.7%, with electronic components up 9.7% and computer parts up 20%, reflecting robust demand for core components in domestic manufacturing.
- Bulk Commodities: Crude oil imports rose 4.4%, metal ores up 5.2%, securing domestic energy and raw material supplies.
- Consumer Goods: Fresh fruits up 5.6%, edible vegetable oils up 16.6%, driven by consumer upgrading trends.
5) Private Enterprises Strengthen Trade Leadership
In 2025, more than 780,000 enterprises in China engaged in import-export activities. Private enterprises continued to serve as the "main engine" of foreign trade:
- Private enterprises' total trade reached 26.04 trillion yuan, up 7.1%.
- Their share of total trade rose to 57.3%, a record high.
The thriving development of private enterprises has created abundant business opportunities for freight forwarding, international logistics, and cross-border e-commerce fulfillment services. An increasing number of small and medium-sized trading companies are turning to professional freight forwarders for one-stop international shipping solutions.
6) Outlook and Recommendations for Freight Forwarders
The 2025 trade data confirms that China's core position in global supply chains continues to strengthen, sustaining demand for international freight forwarding, ocean shipping logistics, air freight forwarding, customs clearance, and warehousing and distribution services.
Our recommendations for shippers and trading companies:
- Stay updated on the latest trade policies and international logistics market trends.
- Check current sailing schedules and freight rates before shipping; plan shipments in advance.
- Partner with reputable freight forwarding companies to ensure safe and on-time cargo delivery.
For sailing schedules, freight quotes, or customized logistics solutions, contact Mighty Shipping—we're here to serve your global shipping needs.