UK overseas trade in goods statistics April 2025: commentary
Published 12 June 2025
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Trade in goods summary
Data behind this bulletin is available through the UK Trade Info website. 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 April 2025
£32.7 billion down £6.2 billion, or 16%, on March 2025, up £0.2 billion, or 1%, on April 2024
Total imports of goods for April 2025
£57.5 billion down £2.6 billion, or 4%, on March 2025, up £4.3 billion, or 8%, on April 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 £24.8 billion, widening the trade gap by £3.6 billion compared with March 2025.
Figure 1: Total UK monthly trade in goods, November 2023 to April 2025
Figure 1 shows total exports, imports and the trade gap for the period from November 2023 to April 2025.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Download figure 1: Total UK monthly trade in goods, November 2023 to April 2025 (ODS, 23.7 KB)
Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional
Exports decreased in April 2025 by £6.2 billion. Imports also decreased, but by a lesser amount, £2.6 billion. This caused the trade gap to widen by £3.6 billion compared with March 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 and in the monthly gold table.
Figure 2: Total UK monthly trade in goods including and excluding NMG, November 2023 to April 2025
Figure 2 shows exports and imports including and excluding non-monetary gold.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional
In April 2025, exports of NMG fell by £1.3 billion, making it one of the main drivers of the overall decrease in total exports. In contrast, imports of NMG rose by £1.0 billion, which reduced the amount of the overall decrease in imports.
EU and non-EU trade in goods
Exports to the EU accounted for 41% of the total value of exports, or 50% when excluding NMG.
Imports from the EU accounted for 46% of the total value of imports, or 54% when excluding NMG.
Table 1: Total UK trade in goods with EU and non-EU, including impact of NMG, April 2025 (£ billion)
| Flow | EU | EU excl NMG | Non-EU | Non-EU excl NMG | Total | Total excl NMG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exports | 13.4 | 13.2 | 19.3 | 13.3 | 32.7 | 26.6 |
| Imports | 26.6 | 26.1 | 30.9 | 22.0 | 57.5 | 48.1 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional
EU exports for April 2025 were £13.4 billion. This was a decrease of £1.9 billion, or 13%, on March 2025, and a decrease of £1.4 billion, or 9%, compared with April 2024.
Non-EU exports for April 2025 were £19.3 billion. This was a decrease of £4.3 billion, or 18%, on March 2025, but an increase of £1.6 billion, or 9%, compared with April 2024.
EU imports for April 2025 were £26.6 billion. This was a decrease of £2.5 billion, or 9%, on March 2025, and a decrease of £1.5 billion, or 5%, compared with April 2024.
Non-EU imports for April 2025 were £30.9 billion. This was a decrease of £0.1 billion, less than 1%, on March 2025, but an increase of £5.7 billion, or 23%, compared with April 2024.
Figure 3: Total UK monthly trade in goods with EU and non-EU, November 2023 to April 2025
Figure 3 shows total exports and imports for EU and non-EU trade for the period from November 2023 to April 2025.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional
EU exports fell in April 2025, with decreases spread across a number of countries and chapters. Non-EU exports fell by a greater amount, driven mainly by the USA.
EU imports fell in April 2025, with Precious metals being a major driver. Non-EU imports also fell, with decreases spread across several chapters.
Exports: Country analysis
You can explore more UK export country data in the interactive data tables.
The USA had the largest value decrease in exports on March 2025, down 47%.
Switzerland had the largest value increase in exports on April 2024, up to 3 times the value.
Table 2: UK exports of goods to the top 5 countries, value comparison with March 2025 and April 2024 (£ million)
| Partner country | April 2025 | March 2025 | April 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 4,276 | 8,057 | 4,489 |
| China | 3,225 | 3,365 | 3,455 |
| Switzerland | 2,737 | 2,811 | 888 |
| Germany | 2,492 | 2,884 | 2,438 |
| Netherlands | 1,852 | 2,252 | 2,412 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional
The USA remained the largest export partner country by value, but had the largest value decrease on March 2025, down £3.8 billion. This was dominated by Precious metals. It also had the sixth largest value decrease on April 2024, down £213 million. This was led by Motor vehicles.
China remained in second place, despite a value decrease on April 2024, down £230 million. This was led by Mineral fuels.
Switzerland rose to third place from fourth between March 2025 and April 2025, despite a decrease over this period. It also had the largest value increase on April 2024, up £1.8 billion. This was led by Precious metals.
Figure 4: Historical export values for the top 3 export partner countries in April 2025
Figure 4 shows the values for the top 3 export partner countries for the period from November 2023 to April 2025.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional
The USA accounted for 13% of the UK’s total exports in April 2025. This was down from 21% in March 2025. Exports to the USA fell by 47% on March 2025. This was the third consecutive decrease since January 2025, which was the highest value over the period shown. It took the USA to the lowest monthly export value since September 2024.
China was the second largest value export partner, accounting for 10% of total exports in April 2025, compared to 9% in March 2025. Exports to China fell by 4% on March 2025.
Switzerland became the third largest export partner, accounting for 8% of total exports in April 2025, compared to 7% in March 2025. Exports to Switzerland decreased in value by 3% on March 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 March 2025, down 22%, but the largest value increase in exports on April 2024, up 92%.
Table 3: UK exports of goods of the top 5 chapters, value comparison with March 2025 and April 2024 (£ million)
| Chapter | April 2025 | March 2025 | April 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Precious metals | 7,137 | 9,117 | 3,718 |
| Mechanical appliances | 5,072 | 5,717 | 5,640 |
| Motor vehicles | 2,546 | 3,694 | 2,991 |
| Electronic equipment | 1,940 | 2,144 | 1,996 |
| Mineral fuels | 1,795 | 1,963 | 2,659 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional
Precious metals remained the top export chapter in April 2025, but had the largest value decrease on March 2025, down £2.0 billion. This was dominated by the USA. In contrast, it had the largest value increase on April 2024, up £3.4 billion. This was led by exports to Switzerland, the USA, and Azerbaijan.
Exports of Mechanical appliances remained in second place. It had the third largest value decrease on March 2025, down £645 million. This was led by exports to Singapore and Germany. It also had the second largest value decrease on April 2024, down £568 million. This was led by exports to the Netherlands.
Motor vehicles remained in third place. It had the second largest value decrease on March 2025, down £1.1 billion. It also experienced a decrease on April 2024, down £446 million. Both decreases were led by the USA.
Figure 5: Historical export values for the top 3 export chapters in April 2025
Figure 5 shows the values for the top 3 export chapters for the period from November 2023 to April 2025.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional
Precious metals accounted for 22% of the UK’s total exports. This was down from 23% in March 2025. Exports of Precious metals decreased by 22% on March 2025.
Mechanical appliances accounted for 16% of the UK’s total exports in March 2025, up from 15% in March 2025. It decreased by 11% in April 2025.
Motor vehicles remained the third largest export chapter this month, despite falling 31% on March 2025. It accounted for 8% of the UK’s total exports, down from 9% in March 2025.
Imports: Country analysis
You can explore more UK import country data in the interactive data tables.
France had the largest value decrease on March 2025, down 28%.
The USA had the largest value increase on April 2024, up 46%.
Table 4: UK imports of goods from the top 5 countries, value comparison with March 2025 and April 2024 (£ million)
| Partner Country | April 2025 | March 2025 | April 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 7,824 | 7,219 | 5,374 |
| Germany | 6,123 | 6,369 | 6,759 |
| China | 4,542 | 5,187 | 4,437 |
| Netherlands | 3,998 | 4,317 | 3,996 |
| France | 2,750 | 3,835 | 3,197 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional
In April 2025, the top five largest import partner countries by value remained the same as March 2025 and kept the same order.
The USA had the largest value increases on March 2025 and April 2024, up £605 million and £2.4 billion respectively. Both increases were driven by Precious metals.
Germany had the largest value decrease on April 2024, down £636 million. This was driven by Precious metals and Mechanical appliances.
China had the second largest value decrease on March 2025, down £645 million. This was led by Furniture and light fittings, Aircraft, and Mechanical appliances.
Figure 6: Historical import values for the top 3 import partner countries in April 2025
Figure 6 shows the values for the top 3 import partner countries for the period from November 2023 to April 2025.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional
The USA remained the UK’s top import partner for the fifth consecutive month. There was an 8% increase in imports from the USA compared with March 2025. The USA accounted for 14% of the UK’s total imports in April 2025, up from 12% in March 2025.
Germany remained the UK’s second ranked import partner, accounting for 11% of the UK’s total imports in April 2025. Imports from Germany decreased by 4% on March 2025.
China remained the UK’s third ranked import partner, accounting for 8% of the UK’s total imports in April 2025, down from 9% in March 2025. Imports from China decreased by 12% on March 2025. In contrast, imports from China increased by 2% on April 2024.
Imports: Chapter analysis
You can explore more UK import chapter data in the interactive data tables.
Mineral fuels had the largest value decrease on March 2025, down 26%.
Precious metals had the largest value increase on April 2024, up to 2.5 times the value.
Table 5: UK imports of goods of the top 5 chapters, value comparison with March 2025 and April 2024 (£ million)
| Chapter | April 2025 | March 2025 | April 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Precious metals | 10,772 | 9,409 | 4,270 |
| Mechanical appliances | 6,215 | 7,051 | 6,691 |
| Motor vehicles | 6,018 | 6,287 | 5,896 |
| Electronic equipment | 4,725 | 4,852 | 4,739 |
| Mineral fuels | 4,503 | 6,071 | 5,594 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional
In April 2025, the top five largest imported commodities by value remained the same as March 2025, with the top 3 keeping the same order.
Precious metals remained the top import chapter in April 2025. Precious metals had the largest value increase on March 2025, up £1.4 billion, driven by the USA. It also had the largest value increase on April 2024, up £6.5 billion. This was driven by the USA and Uzbekistan.
Mechanical appliances had the second largest value decrease on March 2025, down £835 million, led by Germany, France and Luxembourg. It also had the second largest value decrease on April 2024, down £476 million, driven by Germany and France.
Motor vehicles had the fourth largest value decrease on March 2025, down £269 million, led by Belgium, Japan and Spain. In contrast, Motor vehicles had the third largest value increase on April 2024, up £122 million. This was driven by Germany.
Figure 7: Historical import values for the top 3 import chapters in April 2025
Figure 7 shows the values for the top 3 import chapters for the period from November 2023 to April 2025.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional
In April 2025, Precious metals remained the UK’s largest import chapter. It accounted for 19% of the UK’s total imports, up from 16% in March 2025. The value of imports of Precious metals increased by 14% on March 2025 to the highest value since October 2024.
Imports of Mechanical appliances remained in second place, accounting for 11% of total imports, down from 12% in March 2025. Mechanical appliances imports decreased by 12% on March 2025.
Motor vehicles remained the UK’s third largest import chapter in April 2025, accounting for 10% of UK imports. Imports of Motor vehicles decreased by 4% on March 2025. In contrast, imports of Motor vehicles increased by 2% on April 2024.
Focus
Table 6: Exports to the USA, value comparison with March 2025
| Chapter | April 2025 (£m) | March 2025 (£m) | Change (£m) | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precious metals | 622 | 3,264 | -2,643 | -81 |
| Motor vehicles | 495 | 1,021 | -527 | -52 |
| Pharmaceutical products | 414 | 639 | -225 | -35 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Download table 6: April 2025 USA export data, value comparison with March 2025 (ODS, 11.2 KB)
Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional
Exports to the USA had the largest value decrease of all partners on March 2025. This was a decrease of £3.8 billion, or 47%. Between March 2025 and April 2025, exports of Precious metals to the USA fell by the largest amount, £2.6 billion, or 81%. Exports of Motor vehicles fell by £527 million, or 52%, and Pharmaceutical products fell by £225 million, or 35%, compared with March 2025.
Table 7: Imports of Mineral fuels, value comparison with March 2025
| Partner country | April 2025 (£m) | March 2025 (£m) | Change (£m) | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 933 | 1,454 | -521 | -36 |
| Norway | 1,420 | 1,670 | -251 | -15 |
| Netherlands | 506 | 664 | -158 | -24 |
| France | 185 | 302 | -116 | -39 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2024 and 2025 data is provisional
Imports of Mineral fuels had the largest value decrease of all commodities on March 2025, down by £1.6 billion, or 26%. Between March 2025 and April 2025, imports from USA decreased by £521 million, or 36%. Imports from Norway decreased by £251 million, or 15%. Imports from Netherlands decreased by £158 million, or 24%. Imports from France decreased by £116 million, or 39%.