Monthly trade report
United States trade: August 2026
Imports into the United States totaled US$336 billion in August 2026, up 1.0% from July 2026 and up 28.0% from August 2025, according to US Census Bureau data compiled by CargoFax.
ImportsExports
- Imports, August 2026
- US$336 billion
- Exports, August 2026
- US$205 billion
- Trade balance, August 2026
- -US$131 billion
US imports run 28.0% above August 2025 as exports end a four-month slide
Compared with August 2025, US general imports were 28.0% higher in August 2026, at US$336 billion, the largest year-on-year increase so far this year, according to US Census Bureau data. Month on month the change was small, up 1.0%, but it extended the run of increases to a fourth month. Imports from Vietnam stood 61.0% above a year earlier at US$26.5 billion, and Mexico, at US$60.6 billion, held its highest level since January 2024. Laredo, Texas received US$25.3 billion from Mexico alone.
Computers (HS 8471) eased 8.4% to US$41.4 billion, while crude petroleum imports rose 15.1% to US$15.6 billion and electrical equipment (HS 85) reached US$58.3 billion, its highest since January 2024.
Exports turned up after four monthly declines, rising 3.7% to US$205 billion, 14.1% above August 2025. Refined fuels (HS 2710) led at US$15.5 billion, crude petroleum rose 21.9% and gold 40.3%. Sea freight carried 34.9% of exports.
The deficit was about US$131 billion. From January to August, exports totaled US$1.64 trillion, up 14.5%, while imports were 4.1% above the same period of 2025.
What the data shows: By August, US imports had moved from a weak start to well above 2025 levels, while exports kept a steadier lead. The data does not show why; September will show whether the import level holds.
Month at a glance
| Metric | August 2026 | July 2026 | Change | August 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Import value (US$, customs value) | 336,169,825,352 | 332,919,895,261 | +1.0% | 262,590,251,777 | +28.0% |
| Export value (US$, f.a.s.) | 204,748,660,746 | 197,454,137,921 | +3.7% | 179,448,426,481 | +14.1% |
| Trade balance (exports minus imports, US$) | -131,421,164,606 | -135,465,757,340 | -83,141,825,296 |
How does the month compare with the last three months, the quarter, and the year?
| Period | Total | Prior period | vs prior period | Same period last year | vs same period last year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imports Last 3 months Jun – Aug '26 | 986,497,724,516 | 914,597,225,459 Mar – May '26 | +7.9% | 820,130,087,411 | +20.3% |
| Imports Quarter to date Jul – Aug '26 | 669,089,720,613 | 612,311,597,274 Apr – May '26 | +9.3% | 554,723,021,139 | +20.6% |
| Imports Year to date Jan – Aug '26 | 2,415,187,418,723 | 2,319,708,404,866 Jan – Aug '25 | +4.1% | 2,319,708,404,866 | +4.1% |
| Exports Last 3 months Jun – Aug '26 | 610,354,109,183 | 647,597,088,427 Mar – May '26 | -5.8% | 535,443,497,463 | +14.0% |
| Exports Quarter to date Jul – Aug '26 | 402,202,798,667 | 426,203,606,575 Apr – May '26 | -5.6% | 354,905,451,371 | +13.3% |
| Exports Year to date Jan – Aug '26 | 1,639,475,190,589 | 1,432,440,906,202 Jan – Aug '25 | +14.5% | 1,432,440,906,202 | +14.5% |
Imports: What did the United States import in August 2026?
By HS chapter
| HS | Category | Value (US$) | Share | vs Jul 2026 | vs Aug 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 84 | Machinery and computers | 89,542,753,509 | 26.6% | -4.7% | +61.6% |
| 85 | Electrical equipment | 58,341,650,931 | 17.4% | +2.5% | +47.0% |
| 87 | Vehicles and parts | 28,380,573,121 | 8.4% | +0.8% | +6.2% |
| 27 | Mineral fuels and oils | 21,448,756,086 | 6.4% | +12.9% | +20.7% |
| 30 | Pharmaceutical products | 13,486,486,855 | 4.0% | -11.1% | +2.5% |
| 90 | Optical and medical instruments | 10,546,616,938 | 3.1% | -1.6% | +8.3% |
| 98 | Special classification provisions | 10,232,294,360 | 3.0% | -2.4% | +5.3% |
| 71 | Precious stones and metals | 8,491,215,448 | 2.5% | +51.3% | +82.9% |
| 39 | Plastics | 6,479,472,514 | 1.9% | +1.8% | +11.0% |
| 94 | Furniture and lighting | 5,182,348,387 | 1.5% | +6.4% | -1.5% |
By product (HS4)
| HS | Product | Value (US$) | Share | vs Jul 2026 | vs Aug 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8471 | Computers | 41,379,315,533 | 12.3% | -8.4% | +75.3% |
| 8473 | Computer and office machine parts | 17,950,337,011 | 5.3% | -10.8% | +204.0% |
| 8517 | Phones and network equipment | 16,460,301,028 | 4.9% | -8.5% | +76.0% |
| 2709 | Crude petroleum | 15,620,795,604 | 4.6% | +15.1% | +28.1% |
| 8703 | Passenger cars | 14,842,877,224 | 4.4% | -1.7% | +6.2% |
| 9801 | Special national tariff items | 8,994,606,912 | 2.7% | -3.2% | +3.6% |
| 8523 | Discs, tapes, solid-state non-volatile storage devices,... | 8,541,815,328 | 2.5% | +18.4% | +525.4% |
| 8708 | Vehicle parts and accessories | 7,405,140,811 | 2.2% | +7.9% | -1.8% |
| 3004 | Packaged medicines | 7,131,402,906 | 2.1% | +7.4% | +29.5% |
| 3002 | Vaccines, blood, and immunological products | 5,762,593,471 | 1.7% | -27.0% | -15.7% |
Imports: what went up, what went down
Biggest increases
Crude petroleum (HS 2709) added US$2.05 billion compared with July 2026, more than any other product heading.
| HS | Product | Prior month | This month | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7108 | Gold, unwrought or semi-manufactured | 1,532,543,999 | 4,642,186,344 | +3,109,642,345 | +202.9% |
| 2709 | Crude petroleum | 13,566,498,710 | 15,620,795,604 | +2,054,296,894 | +15.1% |
| 8523 | Discs, tapes, solid-state non-volatile storage devices,... | 7,215,259,686 | 8,541,815,328 | +1,326,555,642 | +18.4% |
| 8542 | Integrated circuits (chips) | 4,368,585,403 | 5,484,519,226 | +1,115,933,823 | +25.5% |
| 8486 | Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or... | 1,349,222,920 | 2,266,022,293 | +916,799,373 | +68.0% |
Biggest decreases
Computers (HS 8471) had the largest decline, US$3.78 billion less than in July 2026.
| HS | Product | Prior month | This month | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8471 | Computers | 45,162,290,001 | 41,379,315,533 | -3,782,974,468 | -8.4% |
| 8473 | Computer and office machine parts | 20,134,257,959 | 17,950,337,011 | -2,183,920,948 | -10.8% |
| 3002 | Vaccines, blood, and immunological products | 7,892,583,271 | 5,762,593,471 | -2,129,989,800 | -27.0% |
| 8517 | Phones and network equipment | 17,980,525,157 | 16,460,301,028 | -1,520,224,129 | -8.5% |
| 8507 | Batteries | 2,438,394,479 | 2,017,899,139 | -420,495,340 | -17.2% |
Where did the United States' imports come from?
| Origin | Value (US$) | Share | vs Jul 2026 | vs Aug 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 60,637,409,823 | 18.0% | +0.1% | +34.2% |
| Canada | 35,980,039,950 | 10.7% | +7.4% | +23.5% |
| China | 27,133,815,902 | 8.1% | +0.2% | +6.9% |
| Vietnam | 26,474,521,616 | 7.9% | +0.2% | +61.0% |
| Taiwan | 24,653,798,732 | 7.3% | -3.9% | +39.0% |
| South Korea | 15,201,714,855 | 4.5% | -9.0% | +49.0% |
| Germany | 13,051,538,543 | 3.9% | -1.0% | +17.1% |
| Japan | 11,992,849,148 | 3.6% | -7.9% | +0.1% |
| Thailand | 11,827,623,694 | 3.5% | -15.6% | +58.5% |
| India | 9,165,062,647 | 2.7% | -4.3% | +16.2% |
Ports of entry
| Port | Value (US$) | Share | vs Jul 2026 | vs Aug 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | 28,670,822,708 | 8.5% | -9.3% | +44.3% |
| Laredo, TX | 26,252,293,573 | 7.8% | +7.2% | +33.9% |
| Los Angeles, CA | 24,579,017,967 | 7.3% | +3.7% | +5.1% |
| Newark, NJ | 17,696,838,238 | 5.3% | +3.9% | +2.9% |
| Los Angeles International Airport, CA | 12,474,444,928 | 3.7% | -8.2% | +46.4% |
Imports: How did imports arrive: by sea, air, or land?
| Transport mode | Value (US$) | Share | vs Jul 2026 | vs Aug 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sea (vessel) | 120,330,883,049 | 35.8% | +2.8% | +7.7% |
| Air | 114,779,761,422 | 34.1% | -3.4% | +54.6% |
| Land and other | 101,059,180,881 | 30.1% | +4.2% | +31.9% |
Sea (vessel): top products, partners, and carriers
| # | Product | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Passenger cars 8.7% | China 15.5% |
| 2 | Crude petroleum 5.6% | Vietnam 9.4% |
| 3 | Refined petroleum fuels 3.3% | Japan 7.0% |
Air: top products, partners, and carriers
| # | Product | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computers 16.1% | Taiwan 18.4% |
| 2 | Computer and office machine parts 14.6% | Vietnam 12.5% |
| 3 | Phones and network equipment 11.6% | Thailand 6.4% |
Land and other: top products, partners, and carriers
| # | Product | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computers 20.4% | Mexico 56.2% |
| 2 | Crude petroleum 8.7% | Canada 31.5% |
| 3 | Vehicle parts and accessories 4.7% | China 2.3% |
Imports: Which import routes carried the most?
| # | Route | Value (US$) | Share | vs Jul 2026 | vs Aug 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mexico → Laredo, TX | 25,320,223,534 | 7.5% | +7.9% | +35.6% |
| 2 | Mexico → Ysleta, TX | 11,599,596,097 | 3.5% | -9.7% | +69.9% |
| 3 | China → Los Angeles, CA | 7,089,929,156 | 2.1% | -0.8% | +1.5% |
| 4 | Canada → Detroit, MI | 6,344,172,777 | 1.9% | +11.7% | +53.3% |
| 5 | Taiwan → Chicago, IL | 5,983,276,704 | 1.8% | -1.0% | +99.1% |
| 6 | Taiwan → San Francisco International Airport, CA | 5,958,108,076 | 1.8% | -17.1% | +45.7% |
| 7 | Vietnam → Los Angeles, CA | 4,936,427,508 | 1.5% | -0.7% | +16.0% |
| 8 | Vietnam → Chicago, IL | 4,494,001,059 | 1.3% | -5.0% | +48.8% |
| 9 | Canada → Port Huron, MI | 4,383,185,860 | 1.3% | +0.2% | -12.1% |
| 10 | Mexico → Santa Teresa, NM | 4,325,335,969 | 1.3% | -2.1% | +171.0% |
Imports: Which imports grew and declined over the last three months?
Jun 2026 to Aug 2026 compared with Jun 2025 to Aug 2025. Items under 0.5% of the three-month total are left out.
Products
| Grew | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computers | 69,453,147,099 | 121,741,019,360 | +52,287,872,261 | +75.3% |
| Computer and office machine parts | 18,670,489,241 | 52,573,338,041 | +33,902,848,800 | +181.6% |
| Phones and network equipment | 31,361,797,438 | 51,678,426,184 | +20,316,628,746 | +64.8% |
| Discs, tapes, solid-state non-volatile storage devices,... | 4,427,181,581 | 22,678,653,978 | +18,251,472,397 | +412.3% |
| Crude petroleum | 36,043,673,501 | 44,097,473,384 | +8,053,799,883 | +22.3% |
| Declined | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold, unwrought or semi-manufactured | 12,537,416,555 | 7,463,691,695 | -5,073,724,860 | -40.5% |
| Electrical machines and apparatus | 4,988,130,621 | 3,819,733,092 | -1,168,397,529 | -23.4% |
| Medical instruments | 11,407,901,101 | 10,976,860,718 | -431,040,383 | -3.8% |
| Furniture and parts thereof, n.e.c. in chapter 94 | 5,983,662,771 | 5,567,368,727 | -416,294,044 | -7.0% |
| Batteries | 6,844,884,961 | 6,518,223,169 | -326,661,792 | -4.8% |
Countries
| Grew | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 135,338,368,662 | 176,441,606,098 | +41,103,237,436 | +30.4% |
| Vietnam | 52,197,882,155 | 78,062,251,526 | +25,864,369,371 | +49.6% |
| Taiwan | 54,147,991,578 | 70,835,556,979 | +16,687,565,401 | +30.8% |
| Canada | 90,981,267,047 | 106,687,950,556 | +15,706,683,509 | +17.3% |
| South Korea | 32,692,802,361 | 47,301,419,624 | +14,608,617,263 | +44.7% |
| Declined | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | 17,992,093,017 | 14,029,651,117 | -3,962,441,900 | -22.0% |
| Ireland | 15,995,268,506 | 14,447,444,902 | -1,547,823,604 | -9.7% |
| Netherlands | 8,515,209,665 | 6,977,507,891 | -1,537,701,774 | -18.1% |
| Indonesia | 9,098,528,350 | 8,503,383,797 | -595,144,553 | -6.5% |
| Brazil | 10,681,666,993 | 10,130,001,023 | -551,665,970 | -5.2% |
What did the United States export in August 2026?
By HS chapter
| HS | Category | Value (US$) | Share | vs Jul 2026 | vs Aug 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | Mineral fuels and oils | 35,962,305,607 | 17.6% | +11.1% | +42.7% |
| 84 | Machinery and computers | 27,979,888,828 | 13.7% | +4.8% | +7.4% |
| 85 | Electrical equipment | 23,204,669,420 | 11.3% | +3.4% | +23.4% |
| 88 | Aircraft | 15,237,223,722 | 7.4% | -6.0% | +1.6% |
| 71 | Precious stones and metals | 11,234,919,914 | 5.5% | +32.6% | +62.4% |
| 87 | Vehicles and parts | 10,856,124,342 | 5.3% | -0.0% | -5.9% |
| 90 | Optical and medical instruments | 9,177,902,821 | 4.5% | -1.0% | +2.3% |
| 30 | Pharmaceutical products | 7,638,808,577 | 3.7% | -10.6% | -12.1% |
| 39 | Plastics | 7,239,338,425 | 3.5% | +1.2% | +10.7% |
| 98 | Special classification provisions | 6,917,975,166 | 3.4% | +7.7% | +21.8% |
By product (HS4)
| HS | Product | Value (US$) | Share | vs Jul 2026 | vs Aug 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2710 | Refined petroleum fuels | 15,483,707,508 | 7.6% | +10.2% | +73.4% |
| 8800 | HS heading 8800 | 14,104,908,708 | 6.9% | -7.9% | +1.0% |
| 2709 | Crude petroleum | 10,973,353,309 | 5.4% | +21.9% | +28.7% |
| 2711 | Natural gas and LPG | 7,697,306,396 | 3.8% | -0.5% | +22.9% |
| 8471 | Computers | 7,496,674,271 | 3.7% | +17.3% | +0.5% |
| 7108 | Gold, unwrought or semi-manufactured | 7,059,373,921 | 3.4% | +40.3% | +82.3% |
| 9880 | HS heading 9880 | 6,037,077,368 | 2.9% | +7.5% | +27.6% |
| 8473 | Computer and office machine parts | 4,707,893,788 | 2.3% | +8.2% | +49.9% |
| 8542 | Integrated circuits (chips) | 4,627,445,698 | 2.3% | +5.1% | +4.4% |
| 3002 | Vaccines, blood, and immunological products | 4,515,918,053 | 2.2% | -14.8% | -10.7% |
Exports: what went up, what went down
Biggest increases
The largest export increase came from gold, unwrought or semi-manufactured (HS 7108): US$2.03 billion more than in July 2026.
| HS | Product | Prior month | This month | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7108 | Gold, unwrought or semi-manufactured | 5,032,790,634 | 7,059,373,921 | +2,026,583,287 | +40.3% |
| 2709 | Crude petroleum | 9,004,898,549 | 10,973,353,309 | +1,968,454,760 | +21.9% |
| 2710 | Refined petroleum fuels | 14,052,471,523 | 15,483,707,508 | +1,431,235,985 | +10.2% |
| 8471 | Computers | 6,391,464,462 | 7,496,674,271 | +1,105,209,809 | +17.3% |
| 8523 | Discs, tapes, solid-state non-volatile storage devices,... | 1,730,682,502 | 2,263,916,896 | +533,234,394 | +30.8% |
Biggest decreases
Exports of hS heading 8800 (HS 8800) had the largest decline, US$1.20 billion less than in July 2026.
| HS | Product | Prior month | This month | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8800 | HS heading 8800 | 15,309,223,980 | 14,104,908,708 | -1,204,315,272 | -7.9% |
| 3002 | Vaccines, blood, and immunological products | 5,298,084,149 | 4,515,918,053 | -782,166,096 | -14.8% |
| 8486 | Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or... | 1,973,289,890 | 1,701,409,578 | -271,880,312 | -13.8% |
| 8704 | Trucks and pickups | 1,957,383,609 | 1,795,477,904 | -161,905,705 | -8.3% |
| 8411 | Turbojets and gas turbines | 1,324,542,658 | 1,190,468,383 | -134,074,275 | -10.1% |
Where did the United States' exports go?
| Destination | Value (US$) | Share | vs Jul 2026 | vs Aug 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 33,656,327,154 | 16.4% | -1.7% | +15.3% |
| Canada | 30,289,552,895 | 14.8% | +3.2% | +11.3% |
| Netherlands | 10,652,460,101 | 5.2% | +9.0% | +34.7% |
| China | 8,730,705,100 | 4.3% | -10.1% | +5.6% |
| Japan | 8,634,103,728 | 4.2% | +4.3% | +25.2% |
| United Kingdom | 8,261,054,888 | 4.0% | +13.0% | +38.3% |
| Germany | 7,270,549,941 | 3.6% | +5.0% | +3.4% |
| South Korea | 6,375,440,261 | 3.1% | +3.0% | +10.1% |
| Switzerland | 5,902,775,823 | 2.9% | +52.8% | +53.5% |
| Brazil | 5,370,931,895 | 2.6% | -1.3% | +11.5% |
Customs offices of exit
| Port | Value (US$) | Share | vs Jul 2026 | vs Aug 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX | 14,176,168,755 | 6.9% | +14.3% | +39.8% |
| Jfk International Airport, NY | 12,645,789,977 | 6.2% | +14.0% | +19.4% |
| Laredo, TX | 12,408,701,851 | 6.1% | -0.7% | +18.9% |
| New Orleans, LA | 9,630,086,437 | 4.7% | +3.2% | +13.6% |
| Chicago, IL | 8,412,664,606 | 4.1% | +4.2% | +1.7% |
Exports: How did exports leave: by sea, air, or land?
| Transport mode | Value (US$) | Share | vs Jul 2026 | vs Aug 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sea (vessel) | 71,394,454,596 | 34.9% | +7.9% | +19.8% |
| Air | 69,545,832,142 | 34.0% | +5.2% | +9.8% |
| Land and other | 63,808,374,008 | 31.2% | -2.1% | +12.9% |
Sea (vessel): top products, partners, and carriers
| # | Product | Destination |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Refined petroleum fuels 19.0% | Netherlands 9.1% |
| 2 | Crude petroleum 14.9% | Japan 6.7% |
| 3 | Natural gas and LPG 9.4% | South Korea 5.0% |
Air: top products, partners, and carriers
| # | Product | Destination |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | HS heading 8800 13.9% | Switzerland 8.0% |
| 2 | Gold, unwrought or semi-manufactured 9.9% | China 7.3% |
| 3 | Computers 7.8% | United Kingdom 6.7% |
Land and other: top products, partners, and carriers
| # | Product | Destination |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | HS heading 9880 9.5% | Mexico 44.8% |
| 2 | HS heading 8800 6.3% | Canada 42.0% |
| 3 | Vehicle parts and accessories 5.0% | China 1.0% |
Exports: Which export routes carried the most?
| # | Route | Value (US$) | Share | vs Jul 2026 | vs Aug 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Laredo, TX → Mexico | 12,393,608,610 | 6.1% | -0.7% | +19.0% |
| 2 | Detroit, MI → Canada | 7,635,308,229 | 3.7% | +7.8% | +24.0% |
| 3 | Jfk International Airport, NY → Switzerland | 4,870,978,532 | 2.4% | +66.4% | +70.2% |
| 4 | Ysleta, TX → Mexico | 4,162,664,807 | 2.0% | -10.1% | +17.4% |
| 5 | Port Huron, MI → Canada | 4,063,419,476 | 2.0% | -1.1% | -8.5% |
| 6 | Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY → Canada | 3,525,516,656 | 1.7% | +4.1% | +3.1% |
| 7 | Low Value → Canada | 3,340,351,325 | 1.6% | +1.3% | -14.4% |
| 8 | Santa Teresa, NM → Mexico | 2,679,365,350 | 1.3% | +4.1% | +410.2% |
| 9 | Houston, TX → Netherlands | 1,966,535,327 | 1.0% | +14.0% | +100.6% |
| 10 | Otay Mesa, CA → Mexico | 1,870,613,554 | 0.9% | -2.1% | +5.1% |
Exports: Which exports grew and declined over the last three months?
Jun 2026 to Aug 2026 compared with Jun 2025 to Aug 2025. Items under 0.5% of the three-month total are left out.
Products
| Grew | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refined petroleum fuels | 27,734,485,063 | 42,608,607,372 | +14,874,122,309 | +53.6% |
| Gold, unwrought or semi-manufactured | 10,902,109,160 | 20,925,393,761 | +10,023,284,601 | +91.9% |
| Crude petroleum | 23,863,211,662 | 33,595,139,003 | +9,731,927,341 | +40.8% |
| HS heading 8800 | 40,221,100,670 | 45,988,688,603 | +5,767,587,933 | +14.3% |
| Natural gas and LPG | 18,865,935,758 | 23,231,472,720 | +4,365,536,962 | +23.1% |
| Declined | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of precious metal or of metal clad with... | 3,176,143,772 | 356,239,330 | -2,819,904,442 | -88.8% |
| Hormones, prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leukotrienes,... | 5,698,933,687 | 3,242,333,583 | -2,456,600,104 | -43.1% |
| Packaged medicines | 9,808,791,801 | 7,826,088,273 | -1,982,703,528 | -20.2% |
| Passenger cars | 13,742,992,596 | 11,815,966,625 | -1,927,025,971 | -14.0% |
| Medical instruments | 9,680,422,814 | 9,573,680,507 | -106,742,307 | -1.1% |
Countries
| Grew | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 85,855,482,039 | 101,809,389,707 | +15,953,907,668 | +18.6% |
| Canada | 83,110,019,281 | 90,323,708,074 | +7,213,688,793 | +8.7% |
| Japan | 20,503,141,241 | 26,491,078,917 | +5,987,937,676 | +29.2% |
| Switzerland | 10,377,301,924 | 15,882,398,189 | +5,505,096,265 | +53.0% |
| Netherlands | 24,302,779,829 | 29,657,484,736 | +5,354,704,907 | +22.0% |
| Declined | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | 11,990,434,070 | 10,354,046,766 | -1,636,387,304 | -13.6% |
| Spain | 7,769,565,873 | 6,462,703,248 | -1,306,862,625 | -16.8% |
| United Arab Emirates | 7,874,892,444 | 6,737,495,602 | -1,137,396,842 | -14.4% |
| France | 12,658,563,005 | 12,460,866,799 | -197,696,206 | -1.6% |
12-month trend
| Month | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | 276,807,396,462 | 185,184,743,498 | -91,622,652,964 |
| Oct 2025 | 274,999,254,117 | 202,678,773,830 | -72,320,480,287 |
| Nov 2025 | 261,024,766,980 | 181,372,314,311 | -79,652,452,669 |
| Dec 2025 | 281,970,770,389 | 178,214,707,278 | -103,756,063,111 |
| Jan 2026 | 260,537,130,320 | 186,386,441,751 | -74,150,688,569 |
| Feb 2026 | 253,555,338,428 | 195,137,551,228 | -58,417,787,200 |
| Mar 2026 | 302,285,628,185 | 221,393,481,852 | -80,892,146,333 |
| Apr 2026 | 300,455,484,603 | 217,995,876,395 | -82,459,608,208 |
| May 2026 | 311,856,112,671 | 208,207,730,180 | -103,648,382,491 |
| Jun 2026 | 317,408,003,903 | 208,151,310,516 | -109,256,693,387 |
| Jul 2026 | 332,919,895,261 | 197,454,137,921 | -135,465,757,340 |
| Aug 2026 | 336,169,825,352 | 204,748,660,746 | -131,421,164,606 |
What looks unusual this month?
These changes may reflect a few large shipments, late records, or a classification change rather than a trend. Check them in the records before quoting them.
- Imports: HS 7108 (gold, unwrought or semi-manufactured) went from US$1.53 billion to US$4.64 billion. Treat with caution: jumps this size often reflect a few large transactions or a classification change.
- Imports: Electrical equipment (HS 85) reached its highest monthly level since January 2024.
- Imports: Special transactions and CargoFax codes (HS 99) reached its highest monthly level since January 2024.
- Imports: Discs, tapes, solid-state non-volatile storage devices,... (HS 8523) reached its highest monthly level since January 2024.
- Imports: Integrated circuits (chips) (HS 8542) reached its highest monthly level since January 2024.
- Exports: Electrical equipment (HS 85) reached its highest monthly level since January 2024.
- Exports: Special classification provisions (HS 98) reached its highest monthly level since January 2024.
- Exports: Ores (HS 26) reached its highest monthly level since January 2024.
- Exports: Copper (HS 74) reached its highest monthly level since January 2024.
United States trade facts, August 2026
- Imports into the United States totaled US$336 billion in August 2026, up 1.0% from July 2026 and up 28.0% from August 2025.
- The largest single product was computers (HS 8471) at US$41.4 billion.
- Crude petroleum (HS 2709) added US$2.05 billion compared with July 2026, more than any other product heading.
- Computers (HS 8471) had the largest decline, US$3.78 billion less than in July 2026.
- Mexico supplied 18.0% of import value, more than any other origin; Canada was second at 10.7%.
- The United States recorded a trade deficit of US$131 billion in August 2026: exports minus imports.
- The largest single export product was refined petroleum fuels (HS 2710) at US$15.5 billion.
- The largest export increase came from gold, unwrought or semi-manufactured (HS 7108): US$2.03 billion more than in July 2026.
- Exports of hS heading 8800 (HS 8800) had the largest decline, US$1.20 billion less than in July 2026.
- The leading destination was Mexico, with 16.4% of export value, ahead of Canada (14.8%).
Methodology
US Census Bureau international trade statistics: general imports (customs value). US Census Bureau international trade statistics: total exports (f.a.s. value). Import values are declared customs value values in US dollars. Export values are declared f.a.s. values in US dollars. Categories follow the Harmonized System. The latest month may be revised as late records arrive. The period table leaves out a comparison that reaches before January 2024, when the series starts, or that includes a month not used as a base. Year to date is compared with the same months a year earlier. Source: US Census Bureau international trade statistics (official), retrieved through the Census API at country, US port, and HS 6-digit level; the sums reconcile with the published totals. Imports are general imports at customs value by country of origin; exports are total exports (domestic and foreign goods) at f.a.s. value by destination. Transport mode: Census publishes vessel and air values; "Land and other" is the remainder, mainly truck, rail, and pipeline trade with Canada and Mexico, plus mail. Census data has no company names. Recent months may be revised, and the annual revision is published each June.
FAQ
United States trade, August 2026: frequently asked questions
How much did the United States import in August 2026?
The United States imported US$336 billion (customs value) in August 2026, up 1.0% from July 2026 and up 28.0% from August 2025, according to US Census Bureau data.
How much did the United States export in August 2026?
The United States exported US$205 billion (f.a.s.) in August 2026, up 3.7% from July 2026 and up 14.1% from August 2025, according to US Census Bureau data.
What does the United States import?
In August 2026, the United States' largest imports were computers (HS 8471, US$41.4 billion), computer and office machine parts (HS 8473, US$18.0 billion), and phones and network equipment (HS 8517, US$16.5 billion). The largest HS chapter was machinery and computers, with 26.6% of the total.
What does the United States export?
In August 2026, the United States' largest exports were refined petroleum fuels (HS 2710, US$15.5 billion), hs heading 8800 (HS 8800, US$14.1 billion), and crude petroleum (HS 2709, US$11.0 billion).
Where does the United States import from?
The top origin countries for the United States' imports in August 2026 were Mexico (18.0%), Canada (10.7%), and China (8.1%), by share of value.
Where does the United States export to?
The top destinations for the United States' exports in August 2026 were Mexico (16.4%), Canada (14.8%), and the Netherlands (5.2%).
What is the United States' trade balance?
The United States recorded a trade deficit of US$131 billion in August 2026: exports of US$205 billion against imports of US$336 billion.
Are the United States' imports going up or down?
The United States' imports are rising. From June 2026 to August 2026, they totaled US$986 billion, up 20.3% from the same months last year. Year to date, the United States' imports are up 4.1% from the same period of 2025.
How do goods reach the United States: by sea, air, or land?
In August 2026, sea (vessel) freight carried 35.8%, air freight carried 34.1%, and land and other freight carried 30.1% of the United States' imports by value.
What are the United States' main ports of entry?
In August 2026, the United States' main points of entry were Chicago, IL with 8.5%, Laredo, TX with 7.8%, and Los Angeles, CA with 7.3% of imports.
Where can I get the United States import and export data?
CargoFax publishes this United States trade report free every month from official US Census Bureau statistics. The shipment-level US records behind US trade, with importers, exporters, carriers, and bills of lading, are searchable in Atlas Explorer and available in bulk through Files.
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