🇨🇳

Export Market

China

ISO: CN / CHN

Country Profile

Capital Beijing
Population 1.4B
GDP $18.74T (2024)
GDP per Capita $13,303
Income Level Upper-Middle Income
Currency Chinese yuan (CNY ¥)
Language Chinese
Timezone UTC+08:00
Region Asia · Eastern Asia

Trade Partners

China Exports To

  • USA 13.0%
  • Hong Kong 8.0%
  • Japan 5.0%
  • Germany 5.0%
  • S. Korea 4.0%

Key exports: broadcasting equipment, computers, integrated circuits, garments, machine parts (2023)

China Imports From

  • S. Korea 7.0%
  • USA 7.0%
  • Japan 6.0%
  • Australia 6.0%
  • Russia 6.0%

Key imports: crude petroleum, integrated circuits, iron ore, gold, natural gas (2023)

Economic Overview

world’s second-largest economy by nominal GDP; global leader in exports and manufacturing; historically strong growth slowing; challenges of aging workforce, weak productivity, rising youth unemployment, struggling property sector, and public debt; state-sponsored economic controls and infrastructure investments

Government: communist party-led state

UK Trade Status

No FTA

There is currently no free trade agreement between the UK and China. Standard WTO terms apply.

Trade Barriers

32 active barriers affecting UK exporters

UK not permitted to export meat-based pet food to China

Export of UK meat-based pet food is not permitted. The UK is in the process of applying to secure access. In addition, restrictions for meat ingredients in pet food such as lamb and poultry meat (imposed because of Scrapie and …

Sectors: Agriculture, horticulture, fisheries and pets

Reported: 25 Mar 2021

UK not permitted to export cherries to China

Export of UK cherries is not permitted. The UK is in the process of applying to secure access.

Sectors: Agriculture, horticulture, fisheries and pets, Food and drink

Reported: 4 Dec 2020

UK not permitted to export plant-based pet food to China

Export of UK plant-based pet food is not permitted due to China's phytosanitary controls. The UK is in the process of applying to secure access. Agreement on pest mitigation measures needs to be completed before access can be permitted.

Sectors: Agriculture, horticulture, fisheries and pets

Reported: 4 Dec 2020

China's standard setting process for renewable energy policies limits participation of overseas businesses

This affects UK companies in the energy sector working in China. Currently, overseas businesses can only act as observing members in China's standard setting process for renewable energy policies, and their ability to fully participate in and contribute towards China's …

Sectors: Energy, Environment

Reported: 13 Oct 2020

Certification and testing of vehicle imports in China affecting UK exporters

This affects UK exporters of road vehicles to China. To obtain approval to export vehicles to China, vehicle manufacturers from overseas must conduct various tests and inspections. These procedures can sometimes pose challenges, including duplicating testing requirements by different government …

Sectors: Automotive

Reported: 9 Sep 2020

View all 32 barriers on GOV.UK →

Geographic Region

China and Hong Kong

Trading Bloc Memberships

China is a member of the following trade agreements and economic blocs.

RCEP Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Trade Agreement

Export Guidance

Relevant guidance for exporting to China.

Start Your Export Journey

Export to the EU after Brexit Start exporting from the UK Manage your export compliance

Also in This Region

🇭🇰 Hong Kong 🇲🇴 Macau

Official Resources

Government export support for China.

great.gov.uk Market Guide → GOV.UK Country Information →
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