UK overseas trade in goods statistics: May 2025

This section is Statistical release

Find UK overseas trade statistics data detailing international trade in goods at product and summary level.

EU and non-EU trade in goods

EU trade in goods

In May 2025:

EU exports were £14.5 billion:

    • up by £1.0 billion or 7.7% compared with April 2025
    • up by £0.5 billion or 3.3% compared with May 2024

EU imports were £27.1 billion:

    • up by £0.5 billion or 1.7% compared with April 2025
    • up by £1.5 billion or 6.1% compared with May 2024

for EU trade, the UK was a net importer, with imports exceeding exports by £12.6 billion.

Non-EU trade in goods

In May 2025:

Non-EU exports were £15.8 billion:

    • down by £3.5 billion or 18% compared with April 2025
    • down by £2.2 billion or 12% compared with May 2024

Non-EU imports were £30.3 billion:

    • down by £0.5 billion or 1.7% compared with April 2025
    • up by £5.5 billion or 22% compared with May 2024

for non-EU trade, the UK was a net importer, with imports exceeding exports by £14.5 billion.

Top trading partners

Top 5 trading partners by combined exports and imports value

Country

Exports value
(£ billion)

Change  since
April 2025 (%)

Imports
value
(£ billion)

Change
since
April 2025 (%)

USA

4.1

-3.4

5.8

-26.3

Germany

2.7

8.9

6.4

3.8

China

2.3

-27.6

5.0

9.4

Netherlands

2.0

3.8

4.2

5.8

France

1.9

12.6

2.7

-1.5

Exports: top 5 trading partners

Country

Value (£ billion)

Change since
April 2025 (%)

USA

4.1

-3.4

Germany

2.7

8.9

China

2.3

-27.6

Netherlands

2.0

3.8

France

1.9

12.6

Imports: top 5 trading partners

Country

Value (£ billion)

Change since
April 2025 (%)

Germany

6.4

3.8

USA

5.8

-26.3

China

5.0

9.4

Netherlands

4.2

5.8

Canada

2.9

53.0

 

Top traded commodities

Top 5 commodities by combined exports and imports value

Commodity

Exports value
(£ billion)

Change    since
April 2025 (%)

Imports
value
(£ billion)

Change
since
April 2025 (%)

Precious metals

3.9

-45.4

10.2

-5.1

Mechanical appliances

4.9

-3.2

6.3

2.0

Motor vehicles

2.7

5.5

5.7

-4.6

Electronic equipment

2.1

6.0

4.7

-1.3

Mineral fuels

1.9

-0.7

4.0

-10.7

Top 5 exported commodities

Commodity

Value (£ billion)

Change since
April 2025 (%)

Mechanical appliances

4.9

-3.2

Precious metals

3.9

-45.4

Motor vehicles

2.7

5.5

Electronic equipment

2.1

6.0

Mineral fuels

1.9

-0.7

Top 5 imported commodities

Commodity

Value (£ billion)

Change since
April 2025 (%)

Precious metals

10.2

-5.1

Mechanical appliances

6.3

2.0

Motor vehicles

5.7

-4.6

Electronic equipment

4.7

-1.3

Mineral fuels

4.0

-10.7

 

Full commentary

Visit GOV.UK for more details and analysis of May 2025 data.

Data sets

We are working to improve the usability and accessibility of downloadable spreadsheets. From 11 July 2025, they will gradually become available to download in the Open Document Spreadsheet (ODS) format. Data sets published before this date will remain as XLSX files.

Access monthly data for combined EU and non-EU trade.

Earlier data

Find earlier overseas trade statistics.

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