UK overseas trade in goods statistics: March 2026
This section is Accredited official statistics
Find UK overseas trade statistics data detailing international trade in goods at product and summary level.
Summary of trade trends
In March 2026, total goods exports were £35.6 billion:
- up by £2.6 billion or 7.8% compared with February 2026
- down by £5.7 billion or 14% compared with March 2025
In March 2026, total goods imports were £75.5 billion:
- up by £12.1 billion or 19% compared with February 2026
- up by £14.3 billion or 23% compared with March 2025
The UK was a net importer in March 2026, with imports exceeding exports by £39.8 billion. This increased the magnitude of the trade gap by £9.5 billion on February 2026.
EU and non-EU trade in goods
EU trade in goods
In March 2026, EU exports were £16.9 billion:
- up by £1.7 billion or 11% compared with February 2026
- up by £0.5 billion or 3.2% compared with March 2025
In March 2026, EU imports were £31.6 billion:
- up by £4.1 billion or 15% compared with February 2026
- up by £2.1 billion or 7.2% compared with March 2025
For EU trade, the UK was a net importer in March 2026, with imports exceeding exports by £14.7 billion.
Non-EU trade in goods
In March 2026, non-EU exports were £18.7 billion:
- up by £0.9 billion or 5.0% compared with February 2026
- down by by £6.2 billion or 25% compared with March 2025
In March 2026, non-EU imports were £43.8 billion:
- up by £8.0 billion or 22% compared with February 2026
- up by £12.2 billion or 39% compared with March 2025
For non-EU trade, the UK was a net importer in March 2026, with imports exceeding exports by £25.1 billion.
Top trading partners
Top 5 trading partners by combined exports and imports value
|
Partner country |
Exports value |
Change since February 2026 (%) |
Imports |
Change since February 2026 (%) |
|
USA |
4.5 |
9.9 |
9.5 |
8.9 |
|
Germany |
3.4 |
14.6 |
7.8 |
22.6 |
|
Switzerland |
0.8 |
18.4 |
8.2 |
129.4 |
|
China |
2.2 |
234.8 |
5.8 |
0.8 |
|
Netherlands |
2.6 |
28.5 |
4.8 |
20.8 |
Exports: top 5 trading partners
|
Partner country |
Value (£ billion) |
Change since |
|
USA |
4.5 |
9.9 |
|
Germany |
3.4 |
14.6 |
|
Netherlands |
2.6 |
28.5 |
|
Hong Kong |
2.5 |
3.0 |
|
China |
2.2 |
234.8 |
Imports: top 5 trading partners
|
Partner country |
Value (£ billion) |
Change since |
|
USA |
9.5 |
8.9 |
|
Switzerland |
8.2 |
129.4 |
|
Germany |
7.8 |
22.6 |
|
China |
5.8 |
0.8 |
|
Netherlands |
4.8 |
20.8 |
Top traded commodities
Top 5 commodities by combined exports and imports value
|
Commodity |
Exports value |
Change since February 2026 (%) |
Imports |
Change since February 2026 (%) |
|
Precious metals |
4.9 |
-12.8 |
20.6 |
37.0 |
|
Mechanical appliances |
7.6 |
7.6 |
8.5 |
15.1 |
|
Motor vehicles |
2.9 |
4.0 |
7.1 |
13.3 |
|
Mineral fuels |
2.4 |
38.6 |
6.8 |
45.8 |
|
Electronic equipment |
2.4 |
9.6 |
5.4 |
7.1 |
Top 5 exported commodities
|
Commodity |
Value (£ billion) |
Change since |
|
Mechanical appliances |
7.6 |
7.6 |
|
Precious metals |
4.9 |
-12.8 |
|
Motor vehicles |
2.9 |
4.0 |
|
Electronic equipment |
2.4 |
9.6 |
|
Mineral fuels |
2.4 |
38.6 |
Top 5 imported commodities
|
Commodity |
Value (£ billion) |
Change since |
|
Precious metals |
20.6 |
37.0 |
|
Mechanical appliances |
8.5 |
15.1 |
|
Motor vehicles |
7.1 |
13.3 |
|
Mineral fuels |
6.8 |
45.8 |
|
Electronic equipment |
5.4 |
7.1 |
Full commentary
Visit GOV.UK for more details and analysis of March 2026 data.
Data sets
We are working to improve the usability and accessibility of downloadable spreadsheets. From 11 July 2025, they are gradually becoming 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.
- UK overseas trade in goods March 2026: import data (ODS, 21.5 KB)
- UK overseas trade in goods March 2026: export data (ODS, 21.4 KB)
- Gold trade for March 2026 (ODS, 25.2 KB)
- Top 20 traded goods by Chapter: March 2026 (ODS, 14.4 KB)
- Top 25 trading partners: March 2026 (ODS, 12.6 KB)
- Top 20 traded goods by Standard International Trade Classification: March 2026 (ODS, 13.4 KB)
Earlier data
Find earlier overseas trade statistics.
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