The United States imported $3.42 trillion worth of goods in 2025, up 4.6% from 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The most imported products were pharmaceutical preparations ($287.1 billion), computers ($218.2 billion), passenger cars ($179.5 billion), computer accessories ($143.3 billion) and crude oil ($140.0 billion). Mexico was the largest source of US imports, followed by Canada and China.
If you import into the US, or are deciding what to import, these numbers show where demand, competition and tariff exposure are concentrated. This guide breaks down the top 20 US imports by value, the biggest import categories, the countries the US buys from, and the products that grew or shrank fastest in 2025.
| US imports at a glance (2025) | |
|---|---|
| Total goods imports | $3.42 trillion (up from $3.27 trillion in 2024) |
| Most imported product | Pharmaceutical preparations, $287.1B |
| Fastest-growing major import | Computers, up 86.8% to $218.2B |
| Largest import category | Capital goods, $1.13 trillion (33.0%) |
| Top source country | Mexico, $534.9B (15.7% of imports) |
| Goods trade deficit | $1.24 trillion (balance of payments basis) |
Top 20 Most Imported Products in the US (2025)
The table ranks US imports by 2025 value using the Census Bureau's end-use commodity groups, the most detailed product breakdown in the official annual trade release. Broad catch-all groups such as "other goods" are left out. Click a product to see its current US tariff rates.
| Rank | Product | 2025 imports | Change vs 2024 | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pharmaceutical preparations | $287.1B | +$40.2B | +16.3% |
| 2 | Computers | $218.2B | +$101.4B | +86.8% |
| 3 | Passenger cars | $179.5B | −$34.4B | −16.1% |
| 4 | Computer accessories and parts | $143.3B | +$42.7B | +42.4% |
| 5 | Crude oil | $140.0B | −$27.6B | −16.5% |
| 6 | Auto parts and accessories | $138.3B | −$7.2B | −4.9% |
| 7 | Telecommunications equipment | $114.7B | +$30.3B | +35.8% |
| 8 | Cell phones and other household goods | $108.8B | −$2.8B | −2.5% |
| 9 | Electric apparatus | $106.9B | +$4.2B | +4.1% |
| 10 | Finished metal shapes | $105.3B | +$53.6B | +103.6% |
| 11 | Industrial machinery | $83.5B | −$1.3B | −1.6% |
| 12 | Semiconductors | $76.1B | −$5.8B | −7.1% |
| 13 | Medical equipment | $66.0B | +$3.4B | +5.4% |
| 14 | Trucks, buses and special-purpose vehicles | $53.4B | −$10.0B | −15.8% |
| 15 | Textile apparel and household goods (non-cotton) | $50.6B | −$3.1B | −5.7% |
| 16 | Generators and accessories | $49.3B | +$6.2B | +14.5% |
| 17 | Cotton apparel and household goods | $41.5B | −$0.3B | −0.7% |
| 18 | Toys, games and sporting goods | $40.0B | −$6.3B | −13.5% |
| 19 | Furniture and household goods | $37.8B | −$4.1B | −9.8% |
| 20 | Household appliances | $36.7B | −$3.0B | −7.6% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau and BEA, U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, December and Annual 2025 (released February 19, 2026). Census basis.
Three things stand out. First, technology dominates the growth: computers, computer accessories and telecommunications equipment together added about $174 billion in 2025, much of it tied to the build-out of data centers. Second, medicines are now the single largest import line. Third, vehicles and oil, long two of the biggest US imports, both fell sharply.
What Does the US Import the Most? The 6 Main Import Categories
The Census Bureau groups every import into six end-use categories. Capital goods, the machinery and equipment businesses use to make other products, are by far the largest.
| End-use category | 2025 imports | Share of total | Change vs 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital goods (except automotive) | $1,127.6B | 33.0% | +17.2% |
| Consumer goods | $799.9B | 23.4% | −0.7% |
| Industrial supplies and materials | $699.0B | 20.5% | +3.4% |
| Automotive vehicles, parts and engines | $422.4B | 12.4% | −11.0% |
| Foods, feeds and beverages | $215.4B | 6.3% | −0.3% |
| Other goods | $151.3B | 4.4% | +13.9% |
- Capital goods ($1.13 trillion) jumped 17.2%, the biggest increase of any category, driven by computers, accessories and telecom equipment.
- Consumer goods ($799.9 billion) were roughly flat. Pharmaceuticals rose, while toys, furniture, jewelry, appliances and diamonds all declined.
- Industrial supplies ($699.0 billion) include crude oil, fuels, metals, chemicals, plastics and lumber.
- Automotive ($422.4 billion) fell 11.0% as imports of passenger cars and trucks dropped.
- Foods, feeds and beverages ($215.4 billion) were flat overall. Coffee, cocoa and meat rose, while alcohol and vegetables fell.
A Closer Look at the Top 10 US Imports
1. Pharmaceutical preparations: $287.1B (+16.3% vs 2024)
Finished medicines, including branded drugs, generics and vaccines, are the most valuable product the US imports. Europe, led by Ireland, Switzerland and Germany, supplies a large share of branded drugs, while India is a major source of generics. Imports surged early in 2025 as drugmakers moved product into the US ahead of expected pharmaceutical tariffs. See current pharmaceutical tariff rates.
2. Computers: $218.2B (+86.8% vs 2024)
Computer imports nearly doubled in 2025, adding more than $100 billion, the largest increase of any product. Most of the growth came from servers and other hardware for AI data centers, much of it assembled in Mexico and Taiwan.
3. Passenger cars: $179.5B (−16.1% vs 2024)
Cars remain one of the largest US imports, but the value fell by $34.4 billion after Section 232 tariffs on imported vehicles took effect in April 2025. Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Canada and Germany are the main suppliers. See auto tariff rates.
4. Computer accessories and parts: $143.3B (+42.4% vs 2024)
This group covers storage devices, peripherals and components. Like computers, it grew rapidly on data-center demand.
5. Crude oil: $140.0B (−16.5% vs 2024)
The US is the world's largest oil producer but still imports crude, mainly heavier grades that many US refineries are designed to process. Canada supplies the majority of US crude imports. Lower oil prices helped cut the import bill by $27.6 billion in 2025. See oil tariff rates.
6. Auto parts and accessories: $138.3B (−4.9% vs 2024)
Engines, transmissions, electronics and other components flow across the US, Mexico and Canada several times during vehicle production. Mexico is the largest supplier. See auto parts tariff rates.
7. Telecommunications equipment: $114.7B (+35.8% vs 2024)
Networking and communications hardware, including equipment for data centers and mobile networks, rose 35.8%.
8. Cell phones and other household goods: $108.8B (−2.5% vs 2024)
Smartphones make up most of this group. China has long been the main supplier, but production for the US market has been shifting toward India and Vietnam.
9. Electric apparatus: $106.9B (+4.1% vs 2024)
Electrical equipment and components used in buildings, factories and the power grid. Demand is supported by construction, manufacturing investment and grid upgrades.
10. Finished metal shapes: $105.3B (+103.6% vs 2024)
Metal bars, rods, plates and other semi-finished forms. The category more than doubled in 2025, adding $53.6 billion, one of the largest jumps of any import line.
Which Countries Does the US Import the Most From?
Mexico overtook China as the largest source of US imports in 2023 and widened its lead in 2025. Counted as a bloc, the European Union supplied $633.2 billion, more than any single country.
| Rank | Country | 2025 imports | Share of US imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mexico | $534.9B | 15.7% |
| 2 | Canada | $383.0B | 11.2% |
| 3 | China | $308.4B | 9.0% |
| 4 | Taiwan | $201.4B | 5.9% |
| 5 | Vietnam | $193.8B | 5.7% |
| 6 | Germany | $156.1B | 4.6% |
| 7 | Japan | $145.9B | 4.3% |
| 8 | Ireland | $133.5B | 3.9% |
| 9 | South Korea | $125.2B | 3.7% |
| 10 | Switzerland | $106.0B | 3.1% |
| 11 | India | $103.8B | 3.0% |
| 12 | Thailand | $91.3B | 2.7% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Exhibit 14, annual 2025, Census basis. Click a country to see its current US tariff rates.
The biggest shift is China. US imports from China fell to $308.4 billion in 2025, down about 30% from $438.9 billion in 2024, as tariffs pushed importers to source elsewhere. Taiwan and Vietnam, now the fourth- and fifth-largest suppliers, picked up much of that business, along with Mexico. Check the latest rates in our US tariff tool.
Fastest-Growing and Fastest-Shrinking US Imports in 2025
Biggest increases (2025 vs 2024):
- Computers: +$101.4 billion (+86.8%)
- Finished metal shapes: +$53.6 billion (+103.6%)
- Computer accessories and parts: +$42.7 billion (+42.4%)
- Pharmaceutical preparations: +$40.2 billion (+16.3%)
- Telecommunications equipment: +$30.3 billion (+35.8%)
Biggest decreases:
- Passenger cars: −$34.4 billion (−16.1%)
- Crude oil: −$27.6 billion (−16.5%)
- Trucks, buses and special-purpose vehicles: −$10.0 billion (−15.8%)
- Auto parts and accessories: −$7.2 billion (−4.9%)
- Toys, games and sporting goods: −$6.3 billion (−13.5%)
Outside the top 20, green coffee imports rose 55.5% to $10.3 billion and cocoa beans more than doubled to $2.8 billion, reflecting much higher world prices for both crops. Gem diamond imports halved to $7.4 billion.
What This Means for US Importers
The products the US imports most are also where tariffs, compliance and cash flow matter most. Before you place an order:
- Classify the product. Duty rates depend on the product's HTS code. Use our free HTS code lookup to find the code and base duty rate.
- Estimate the landed cost. Most US duties are ad valorem, a percentage of the customs value. Our ad valorem duty calculator adds the Merchandise Processing Fee and Harbor Maintenance Fee, and the FCL vs LCL calculator helps you compare freight options.
- Check for extra duties. Some products, including certain steel, aluminum, solar and chemical goods, carry anti-dumping duties on top of normal tariffs, depending on the country of origin.
- Plan for the cash gap. Importers usually pay suppliers, freight and duties weeks or months before they are paid by their own customers. Import financing or vendor financing can bridge that gap without tying up working capital.
Paying overseas suppliers before your goods sell? Drip Capital offers collateral-free working capital of up to $3M, with funds in 24–48 hours and 30–90 day repayment terms. Check your eligibility
How to Find US Import Data for Your Product
- Census Bureau USA Trade Online: monthly import and export values by HS code, country and port.
- The monthly FT-900 report: the official US trade release from the Census Bureau and BEA, published about five weeks after each month ends.
- Harmonized Tariff Schedule: the legal list of US duty rates by product, searchable in our HTS code lookup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the US import the most?
Pharmaceutical preparations were the single largest US import in 2025 at $287.1 billion, followed by computers ($218.2 billion), passenger cars ($179.5 billion), computer accessories ($143.3 billion) and crude oil ($140.0 billion). By broad category, capital goods such as machinery, computers and telecom equipment were the largest at $1.13 trillion.
What are the top 3 imports of the US?
The top three US imports in 2025 were pharmaceutical preparations ($287.1 billion), computers ($218.2 billion) and passenger cars ($179.5 billion), according to Census Bureau data.
Which country does the US import the most from?
Mexico is the largest source of US imports, supplying $534.9 billion of goods in 2025, or 15.7% of the total. Canada ($383.0 billion) and China ($308.4 billion) were second and third.
How much does the US import each year?
The US imported $3.42 trillion of goods in 2025 on a Census basis, up 4.6% from $3.27 trillion in 2024. On a balance of payments basis, goods imports were $3.44 trillion and the goods trade deficit was $1.24 trillion.
What are examples of imported goods in the US?
Common examples of US imports include medicines, computers and servers, smartphones, cars and auto parts, crude oil, clothing, furniture, toys, household appliances, coffee, fruit and seafood.
What does the US import from China?
US imports from China are mainly electronics such as cell phones and computers, along with machinery, toys, furniture, household goods and textiles. Imports from China fell to $308.4 billion in 2025 as importers shifted sourcing to countries such as Vietnam, Taiwan, Mexico and India.
Does the US import more than it exports?
Yes. In 2025 the US exported $2.20 trillion of goods and imported $3.44 trillion on a balance of payments basis, a goods trade deficit of $1.24 trillion.
