UK overseas trade in goods statistics April 2023: commentary
Published 14 June 2023
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Trade in Goods Summary
From January 2022, the UK from EU import dataset incorporates both the GB from EU customs import declaration data and NI Intrastat import (arrival) data. As a result of the data compilation changes, users should take care when making comparisons with months and years prior to 2022. A full explanation of data sources used throughout this release can be found in the accompanying methodology notes.
Total exports of goods for April 2023
£32.0 billion down £5.7 billion (15%) on March 2023, but up £1.5 billion (5%) on April 2022
Total imports of goods for April 2023
£50.3 billion down £7.5 billion (13%) on March 2023, and down £2.7 billion (5%) on April 2022
The UK was a net importer this month, with imports exceeding exports by £18.3 billion, narrowing the trade gap by £1.8 billion on March 2023.
Source: HM Revenue & Customs Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics
Note: 2022 and 2023 data is provisional
Figure 1: Total UK monthly Trade in Goods, November 2021 to April 2023
Download detailed April 2023 trade gap data (ODS)
Source: HM Revenue & Customs Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics
Note: 2022 and 2023 data is provisional
Figure 1 shows that exports rose steadily to September 2022, then levelled off, fell between November 2022 and January 2023, before increasing between January 2023 and March 2023 and falling again in April 2023. Imports rose steadily to November 2022 and began to fall in December 2022. In March 2023, imports rose sharply, causing a widening of the trade gap but have fallen below February 2023 levels in April 2023.
EU and Non-EU trade in goods
- Exports to the EU accounted for 47% of the total value of exports.
- Imports from the EU accounted for 49% of the total value of imports.
Table 1: Total UK Trade in Goods with EU and Non-EU, April 2023 (£ billion)
| Flow | EU | Non-EU | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exports | 15.0 | 17.0 | 32.0 |
| Imports | 24.9 | 25.5 | 50.3 |
Download total UK trade in goods with EU and Non-EU, April 2023 data (ODS)
Source: HM Revenue & Customs Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics
Note: 2023 data is provisional
Table 1 shows the share of EU and Non-EU exports and imports.
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EU exports for April 2023 were £15.0 billion. This was a decrease of £2.3 billion (13%) on March 2023, and a decrease of £1.1 billion (7%) compared with April 2022.
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Non-EU exports for April 2023 were £17.0 billion. This was a decrease of £3.5 billion (17%) on March 2023, but an increase of £2.6 billion (18%) compared with April 2022.
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EU imports for April 2023 were £24.9 billion. This was a decrease of £5.8 billion (19%) on March 2023, and a decrease of £0.7 billion (3%) compared with April 2022.
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Non-EU imports for April 2023 were £25.5 billion. This was a decrease of £1.7 billion (6%) on March 2023, and a decrease of £2.0 billion (7%) compared with April 2022.
Exports: Country Analysis
- Exports to Switzerland (ranked 6th) down 56% in value on March 2023.
- Exports to the USA up 23% in value on April 2022.
Table 2: UK exports of goods to the top 5 countries, main commodity and total value, April 2023
| Main partner country | Total country value (£ million) | Main commodity | Partner commodity value (£ million) |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 5,036 | Mechanical appliances | 987 |
| Germany | 2,759 | Mechanical appliances | 504 |
| Netherlands | 2,580 | Mineral fuels | 1,037 |
| Ireland | 2,131 | Mineral fuels | 334 |
| France | 1,859 | Precious metals | 287 |
Source: HM Revenue & Customs Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics
Note: 2023 data is provisional
Table 2 shows the top 5 export partner countries by value:
- USA
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Ireland
- France
Exports of Mechanical appliances accounted for 20% of UK exports to the USA, and 18% of UK exports to Germany. Exports of Mineral fuels accounted for 40% of UK exports to the Netherlands, and 16% of UK exports to Ireland. Exports of Precious metals accounted for 15% of UK exports to France.
Exports: Commodity Analysis
- Precious metals down by 39% on March 2023.
- Mechanical appliances up by 17% on April 2022.
Table 3: UK exports of goods of the top 5 commodities, main partner country and total value, April 2023
| Commodity | Total commodity value (£ million) | Main partner country | Partner country value (£ million) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical appliances | 5,491 | United States | 987 |
| Precious metals | 3,511 | Switzerland | 1,519 |
| Motor vehicles | 3,031 | United States | 450 |
| Mineral fuels | 2,920 | Netherlands | 1,037 |
| Pharmaceutical products | 1,803 | United States | 533 |
Source: HM Revenue & Customs Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics
Note: 2023 data is provisional
Table 3 shows the top 5 export commodities by value:
- Mechanical appliances
- Precious metals
- Motor vehicles
- Mineral fuels
- Pharmaceutical products
Exports to the USA accounted for 18% of UK exports of Mechanical appliances, 15% of UK exports of Motor vehicles, and 30% of UK exports of Pharmaceutical products. Exports to Switzerland accounted for 43% of UK exports of Precious metals. Exports to the Netherlands accounted for 36% of UK exports of Mineral fuels.
Imports: Country Analysis
- Imports from Germany down 23% on March 2023.
- Imports from Norway (ranked 6th) down 32% in value on April 2022.
Table 4: UK imports of goods from the top 5 countries, main commodity and total value, April 2023
| Main partner country | Total country value (£ million) | Main commodity | Partner commodity value (£ million) |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 5,937 | Mineral fuels | 1,992 |
| Germany | 5,476 | Motor vehicles | 1,780 |
| China | 4,709 | Electronic equipment | 1,140 |
| Netherlands | 4,076 | Mechanical appliances | 565 |
| France | 3,312 | Motor vehicles | 543 |
Source: HM Revenue & Customs Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics
Note: 2023 data is provisional
Table 4 shows the top 5 import partner countries by value:
- USA
- Germany
- China
- Netherlands
- France
Mineral fuels accounted for 34% of UK imports from the USA. Motor vehicles accounted for 33% of UK imports from Germany and 16% of UK imports from France. Electronic equipment accounted for 24% of UK imports from China. Mechanical appliances accounted for 14% of UK imports from the Netherlands.
Imports: Commodity Analysis
- Imports of Mechanical appliances down 16% on March 2023.
- Imports of Mineral fuels down 30% on April 2022.
Table 5: UK imports of goods of the top 5 commodities, main partner country and total value, April 2023
| Commodity | Total commodity value (£ million) | Main partner country | Partner country value (£ million) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mineral fuels | 6,585 | USA | 1,992 |
| Mechanical appliances | 6,232 | USA | 952 |
| Motor vehicles | 5,426 | Germany | 1,780 |
| Electronic equipment | 4,405 | China | 1,140 |
| Precious metals | 4,057 | Kazakhstan | 1,598 |
Source: HM Revenue & Customs Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics
Note: 2023 data is provisional
Table 5 shows the top 5 import commodities by value:
- Mineral fuels
- Mechanical appliances
- Motor vehicles
- Electronic equipment
- Precious metals
Imports from the USA accounted for 30% of UK imports of Mineral fuels and 15% of UK imports of Mechanical appliances. Imports from Germany accounted for 33% of UK imports of Motor vehicles. Imports from China accounted for 26% of UK imports of Electronic equipment. Imports from Kazakhstan accounted for 39% of UK imports of Precious metals.
Focus
Mechanical appliances
Exports of Mechanical appliances decreased by £956 million (15%) on March 2023, driven by:
- £167 million (14%) decrease in exports to the USA
- £126 million (20%) decrease in exports to Germany.
In contrast, exports of Mechanical appliances increased by £809 million (17%) on April 2022, driven by:
- £342 million (53%) increase in exports to the USA
- £131 million (70%) increase in exports to Hong Kong.
Imports of Mechanical appliances decreased by £1,225 million (16%) on March 2023, driven by:
- £292 million (25%) decrease in imports from Germany,
- £159 million (22%) decrease in imports from the Netherlands.
In contrast, imports of Mechanical appliances increased by £469 million (8%) on April 2022, driven by a £255 million (37%) increase in imports from the USA.
USA
Exports to the USA increased by £316 million (7%) on March 2023, driven by a £559 million increase in Exports of Precious metals (to 5.5 times the value).
Exports to the USA also increased by £942 million (23%) on April 2022, driven by:
- £504 million increase in exports of Precious metals (to almost 4 times the value)
- £342 million (53%) increase in exports of Mechanical appliances.
Imports from the USA decreased by £106 million (2%) on March 2023. There were large decreases across many chapters, in particular:
- £225 million (55%) decrease in imports of Pharmaceutical products
- £131 million (25%) decrease in imports of Electronic equipment
- £108 million (10%) decrease in imports of Mechanical appliances
- £98 million (33%) decrease in imports of Measuring devices and gauges.
However these were offset by:
- £298 million increase in imports of Aircraft (to almost 2.5 times the value)
- £284 million (69%) increase in imports of Precious metals.
Imports from the USA increased by £421 million (8%) on April 2022, driven by:
- £255 million (37%) increase in imports of Mechanical appliances
- £226 million (76%) increase in imports of Aircraft.