UK overseas trade in goods statistics February 2025: commentary
Published 11 April 2025
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Trade in goods summary
Data behind this bulletin is available through the UK Trade Info website, where users can build their own tables according to the countries, commodities, and ports selected.
For more information on how we compile the trade in goods statistics, users must refer to the accompanying methodology notes. Further information about trade in non-monetary gold (NMG) can be found in the monthly gold table.
Total exports of goods for February 2025
£40.4 billion £40.4 billion down £2.7 billion, or 6%, on January 2025, up £6.4 billion, or 19%, on February 2024
Total imports of goods for February 2025
£55.4 billion £55.4 billion up £4.8 billion, or 10%, on January 2025, up £8.1 billion, or 17%, on February 2024
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional
The UK was a net importer this month, with imports exceeding exports by £15 billion, widening the trade gap by £7.5 billion compared with January 2025.
Figure 1: Total UK monthly trade in goods, September 2023 to February 2025
Figure 1 shows total exports, imports and the trade gap for the period from September 2023 to February 2025.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Download figure 1: Total UK monthly trade in goods (ODS 11.9KB)
Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional
In February 2025, exports fell by £2.7 billion while imports rose by £4.8 billion. Both changes were impacted by fluctuations in the trade of NMG, leading to an increase in the magnitude of the trade gap in February 2025.
Impact of non-monetary gold (NMG)
Movements in NMG can be large and highly volatile, impacting underlying trends in trade figures. More information can be found in the accompanying methodology notes.
Figure 2: Total UK monthly trade in goods including and excluding NMG, September 2023 to February 2025
Figure 2 shows exports and imports including and excluding non-monetary gold.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Download figure 2: Total UK monthly trade in goods including and excluding NMG (ODS 13.5KB)
Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional
In February 2025, exports of NMG decreased by £4.2 billion, nearly all of which was driven by exports to non-EU countries. This large decrease overshadowed an overall increase of £1.5 billion in exports when excluding NMG. Imports of NMG increased by £3.4 billion in February 2025, due to an increase in imports from non-EU countries.
EU and non-EU trade in goods
Exports to the EU accounted for 35% of the total value of exports, or 47% when excluding NMG.
Imports from the EU accounted for 46% of the total value of imports, or 53% when excluding NMG.
Table 1: Total UK trade in goods with EU and non-EU, including impact of NMG, February 2025 (£ billion)
| Flow | EU | EU excl NMG | Non-EU | Non-EU excl NMG | Total | Total excl NMG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exports | 14.1 | 13.7 | 26.2 | 15.5 | 40.4 | 29.3 |
| Imports | 25.7 | 25.3 | 29.7 | 22.3 | 55.4 | 47.7 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Download table 1: Total UK trade in goods with EU and non-EU (ODS 10.7KB)
Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional
EU exports for February 2025 were £14.1 billion. This was an increase of £0.5 billion, or 3%, on January 2025, but a decrease of £0.6 billion, or 4%, compared with February 2024.
Non-EU exports for February 2025 were £26.2 billion. This was a decrease of £3.2 billion, or 11%, on January 2025, but an increase of £7 billion, or 36%, compared with February 2024.
EU imports for February 2025 were £25.7 billion. This was an increase of £2.2 billion, or 9%, on January 2025, but a decrease of £0.5 billion, or 2%, compared with February 2024.
Non-EU imports for February 2025 were £29.7 billion. This was an increase of £2.6 billion, or 10%, on January 2025, and an increase of £8.6 billion, or 41%, compared with February 2024.
Figure 3: Total UK monthly trade in goods with EU and non-EU, September 2023 to February 2025
Figure 3 shows total exports and imports for EU and non-EU trade for the period from September 2023 to February 2025.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Download figure 3: Total UK monthly trade in goods with EU and non-EU (ODS 12.4KB)
Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional
EU exports have continued to increase for the second consecutive month. Non-EU exports fell in February 2025 due to a large decrease in exports of Precious metals, of which NMG is a major component. Total imports rose in February 2025, with NMG driving the increase in non-EU imports.
Exports: Country analysis
You can explore more UK export country data in the interactive data tables.
Switzerland had the largest value decrease in exports on January 2025, down 52% .
USA had the largest value increase in exports on February 2024, up 94% .
Table 2: UK exports of goods to the top 5 countries, value comparison with January 2025 and February 2024 (£ million)
| Partner country | February 2025 | January 2025 | February 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 8,706 | 11,346 | 4,495 |
| China | 4,669 | 653 | 1,915 |
| Switzerland | 3,797 | 7,876 | 2,264 |
| Germany | 2,756 | 2,621 | 2,658 |
| Ireland | 1,934 | 1,737 | 1,969 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Download table 2: UK exports of goods to the top 5 countries, total value (ODS 10.7KB)
Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional
The USA remained the largest export partner country by value, but had the second largest value decrease on January 2025, down £2.6 billion. In contrast, it had the largest value increase on February 2024, up £4.2 billion. Both changes were dominated by Precious metals (predominantly NMG). China rose to second place from thirteenth. It had the largest value increase on January 2025, up £4 billion. It also had the second largest value increase on February 2024, up £2.8 billion. Similar to the US, the increases were driven by Precious metals. Switzerland fell to third place from second. It had the largest value decrease on January 2025, down £4.1 billion. In contrast, it had the third largest value increase on February 2024, up £1.5 billion. These changes were also led by Precious metals.
Figure 4: Historical export values for the top 3 export partner countries in February 2025
Figure 4 shows the values for the top 3 export partner countries for the period from September 2023 to February 2025.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Download figure 4: Historical export values for the top 3 export partner countries (ODS 11.8KB)
Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional
The USA accounted for 22% of the UK’s total exports in February 2025. This is down from 26% in January 2025. Exports to the USA fell 23% on January 2025, which was the highest value over the period shown. China was the second largest value export partner, accounting for 12% of total exports in February 2025, compared to 2% in January 2025. Exports to China increased to over 7 times the value on January 2025. Exports to Switzerland decreased in value by 52% on January 2025, which still became the third largest export partner, accounting for 9% of total exports. This is down from 18% in January 2025.
Exports: Chapter analysis
You can explore more UK export chapter data in the interactive data tables.
Precious metals had the largest value decrease in exports on January 2025, down 25%, and the largest value increase in exports on February 2024, up to more than double the value.
Table 3: UK exports of goods of the top 5 chapters, value comparison with January 2025 and February 2024 (£ million)
| Chapter | February 2025 | January 2025 | February 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Precious metals | 13,598 | 18,166 | 6,192 |
| Mechanical appliances | 5,532 | 4,913 | 5,714 |
| Motor vehicles | 2,861 | 2,628 | 3,745 |
| Pharmaceutical products | 1,958 | 1,780 | 1,814 |
| Electronic equipment | 1,920 | 1,779 | 1,824 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Download table 3: UK exports of goods of the top 5 chapters, total value (ODS 10.5KB)
Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional
Precious metals remained the top export chapter in February 2025, but had the largest value decrease on January 2025, down £4.6 billion. This was led by Switzerland and the USA. In contrast, it had the largest value increase on February 2024, up £7.4 billion. This was driven by exports to the USA, China, and Switzerland. Exports of Mechanical appliances remained in second place. It had the largest value increase on January 2025, up £619 million. This was driven by exports to Vietnam and the USA. Motor vehicles remained in third place. It had the second largest value increase on January 2025, up £233 million. This was led by China and the USA. In contrast, it had the largest value decrease on February 2024, down £884 million. This was led by the USA and Belgium.
Figure 5: Historical export values for the top 3 export chapters in February 2025
Figure 5 shows the values for the top 3 export chapters for the period from September 2023 to February 2025.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Download figure 5: Historical export values for the top 3 export chapters (ODS 11.9KB)
Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional
Precious metals accounted for 34% of the UK’s total exports. This is down from 42% in January 2025. Exports of Precious metals decreased by 25% on January 2025, from the highest value over the period shown. Exports of Mechanical appliances increased in February 2025, up 13% on January 2025. It accounted for 14% of the UK’s total exports in February 2025, up from 11% in January 2025. Motor vehicles remained the third largest export chapter this month, up 9% on January 2025. It accounted for 7% of the UK’s total exports, up from 6% in January 2025.
Imports: Country analysis
You can explore more UK import country data in the interactive data tables.
Uzbekistan had the largest value increase on January 2025, up £1.5 billion from less than £1 million.
USA had the largest value increase on February 2024, up 39%.
Table 4: UK imports of goods from the top 5 countries, value comparison with January 2025 and February 2024 (£ million)
| Partner country | February 2025 | January 2025 | February 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 6,873 | 5,472 | 4,940 |
| Germany | 5,974 | 5,165 | 6,215 |
| China | 4,950 | 5,150 | 4,151 |
| Netherlands | 3,961 | 3,693 | 3,861 |
| France | 2,637 | 2,877 | 3,171 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Download table 4: UK imports of goods from the top 5 countries, total value (ODS 10.5KB)
Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional
In February 2025, the top four largest import partner countries by value remained the same as January 2025 and kept the same order. The USA had the second largest value increase on January 2025, up £1.4 billion, and the largest value increase on February 2024, up £1.9 billion. These increases were led by increased imports of Precious metals and Aircraft. Germany had the fourth largest value increase on January 2025, up £809 million. This was led by Motor vehicles and Mechanical appliances. Germany also had the third largest value decrease on February 2024, down £240 million. This was led by Precious metals. China had the fourth largest value decrease on January 2025, down £200 million. This was led by decreased imports of Electronic equipment, Aircraft, and Precious metals. In contrast, China had the fourth largest value increase on February 2024, up £799 million. This was led by Electronic equipment and Motor vehicles.
Figure 6: Historical import values for the top 3 import partner countries in February 2025
Figure 6 shows the values for the top 3 import partner countries for the period from September 2023 to February 2025.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Download figure 6: Historical import values for the top 3 import partner countries (ODS 11.6KB)
Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional
The USA remained the UK’s top import partner for the third consecutive month, after 14 consecutive months of Germany being the largest import partner. There was a 26% increase in imports from the USA compared with January 2025. The USA accounted for 12% of the UK’s total imports in February 2025, up from 11% in January 2025. Germany remained the UK’s second ranked import partner, accounting for 11% of the UK’s total imports in January 2025. Imports from Germany increased by 16% on January 2025. China remained the UK’s third ranked import partner, accounting for 9% of the UK’s total imports in February 2025. Imports from China decreased by 3.9% on January 2025.
Imports: Chapter analysis
You can explore more UK import chapter data in the interactive data tables.
Precious metals had the largest value increase on January 2025, up 61%, and the largest value increase on February 2024, up to almost 3 times the value.
Table 5: UK imports of goods of the top 5 chapters, value comparison with January 2025 and February 2024 (£ million)
| Chapter | February 2025 | January 2025 | February 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Precious metals | 8,676 | 5,403 | 3,035 |
| Mechanical appliances | 6,086 | 5,812 | 6,050 |
| Mineral fuels | 6,056 | 6,417 | 5,062 |
| Motor vehicles | 5,902 | 4,819 | 5,955 |
| Electronic equipment | 4,601 | 4,532 | 4,292 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Download table 5: UK imports of goods of the top 5 chapters, total value (ODS 10.5KB)
Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional
Precious metals replaced Mineral fuels to become the top import chapter in February 2025. Precious metals had the largest value increase on January 2025 and February 2024, up £3.3 billion and £5.6 billion respectively. Both increases were led by increased imports from Uzbekistan, USA, and Switzerland. Mechanical appliances remained the UK’s second largest import chapter in February 2025. Mechanical appliances had the fourth largest value increase on January 2025, up £274 million, led by Germany. Mineral fuels dropped to third place from first. It had the largest value decrease on January 2025, down £361 million, driven by Norway, Nigeria, and Libya. In contrast, Mineral fuels had the second largest value increase on February 2024, up £993 million. This was led by Norway.
Figure 7: Historical import values for the top 3 import chapters in February 2025
Figure 7 shows the values for the top 3 import chapters for the period from September 2023 to February 2025.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Download figure 7: Historical import values for the top 3 import chapters (ODS 12.1KB)
Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional
In February 2025, Precious metals became the UK’s largest import commodity. It accounted for 16% of the UK’s total imports, up from 11% in January 2025. The value of imports of Precious metals increased by 61% on January 2025 to the highest value since October 2024. Imports of Mechanical appliances remained in second place, accounting for 11% of total imports. Mechanical appliances imports increased by 4.7% on January 2025. Imports of Mineral fuels dropped from the UK’s largest import commodity to third, accounting for 11% of UK imports in February 2025. Imports of Mineral fuels decreased by 5.6% on January 2025. In contrast, imports of Mineral fuels increased by 20% on February 2024.
Focus
Table 6: Exports of Motor vehicles, value comparison with February 2024
| Partner country | February 2025 (£m) | February 2024 (£m) | Change (£m) | Change (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 705 | 934 | -229 | -25 | |
| Belgium | 154 | 254 | -100 | -39 | |
| China | 182 | 272 | -89 | -33 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Download table 6: Exports of Motor vehicles, value comparison (ODS 10.4KB)
Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional
Exports of Motor vehicles had the largest value decrease of all chapters on February 2024. This was a decrease of £884 million, or 24%. Exports of Motor vehicles to Belgium and China also decreased compared with February 2024.
Table 7: Imports of Motor vehicles, value comparison with February 2024
| Partner country | February 2025 (£m) | February 2024 (£m) | Change (£m) | Change (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | 219 | 489 | -271 | -55 | |
| Belgium | 570 | 331 | 239 | 72 | |
| China | 465 | 363 | 102 | 28 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Download table 7: Imports of Motor vehicles, value comparison (ODS 10.5KB)
Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional
Imports of Motor vehicles had the fifth largest value decrease of all chapters on February 2024. This was a decrease of £53 million, or 0.9%. Between February 2024 and February 2025, imports of Motor vehicles from France fell by £271 million, or 55%. In contrast, imports of Motor vehicles from Belgium and China rose, partially offsetting the decrease.