UK overseas trade in goods statistics August 2025: commentary
Published 16 October 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 August 2025
£28.5 billion down £7.0 billion, or 20%, on July 2025, down £3.1 billion, or 10%, on August 2024
Total imports of goods for August 2025
£52.3 billion down £10.3 billion, or 16%, on July 2025, up £0.8 billion, or 2%, on August 2024
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
The UK was a net importer this month, with imports exceeding exports by £23.9 billion, narrowing the trade gap by £3.3 billion compared with July 2025.
Figure 1 : Total UK monthly trade in goods, March 2024 to August 2025
Figure 1 shows total exports, imports and the trade gap for the period from March 2024 to August 2025.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Download figure 1: Total UK monthly trade in goods, March 2024 to August 2025 (ODS, 12 KB)
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
Both exports and imports fell in August 2025, both driven by decreases in trade of Precious metals. The trade gap narrowed in August 2025 as imports fell more sharply than exports.
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, March 2024 to August 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: 2025 data is provisional.
Exports of NMG fell by £2.8 billion in August 2025, adding to the £4.2 billion decrease in exports excluding NMG. Imports of NMG fell by £5.7 billion, adding to the £4.6 billion decrease in imports excluding NMG.
EU and non-EU trade in goods
Exports to the EU accounted for 45% of the total value of exports, or 49% when excluding NMG.
Imports from the EU accounted for 48% of the total value of imports, or 52% when excluding NMG.
Table 1: Total UK trade in goods with EU and non-EU, including and excluding the impact of NMG, August 2025 (£ billion)
| Flow | EU | EU excl NMG | Non-EU | Non-EU excl NMG | Total | Total excl NMG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exports | 12.8 | 12.7 | 15.6 | 13.5 | 28.5 | 26.2 |
| Imports | 25.2 | 24.6 | 27.2 | 22.5 | 52.3 | 47.1 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
EU exports for August 2025 were £12.8 billion. This was a decrease of £2.5 billion, or 16%, on July 2025, and a decrease of £1.5 billion, or 11%, compared with August 2024.
Non-EU exports for August 2025 were £15.6 billion. This was a decrease of £4.5 billion, or 22%, on July 2025, and a decrease of £1.6 billion, or 9%, compared with August 2024.
EU imports for August 2025 were £25.2 billion. This was a decrease of £3.9 billion, or 13%, on July 2025, but an increase of £0.9 billion, or 4%, compared with August 2024.
Non-EU imports for August 2025 were £27.2 billion. This was a decrease of £6.4 billion, or 19%, on July 2025, and a decrease of £0.1 billion, or less than 1%, compared with August 2024.
Figure 3: Total UK monthly trade in goods with EU and non-EU, March 2024 to August 2025
Figure 3 shows total exports and imports for EU and non-EU trade for the period from March 2024 to August 2025.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
EU exports fell by £2.5 billion in August 2025 to the lowest value in the period shown. Non-EU exports also fell, driven by a decrease in exports of Precious metals. Both EU and non-EU imports fell in August 2025.
Exports: Country analysis
You can explore more UK export country data in the interactive data tables.
Qatar had the largest value decrease on July 2025, down 92%.
India had the largest value decrease on August 2024, down 62%.
Table 2: UK exports of goods to the top 5 countries, value comparison with July 2025 and August 2024 (£ million)
| Partner country | August 2025 | July 2025 | August 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 4,074 | 5,303 | 4,249 |
| Germany | 2,498 | 3,116 | 2,552 |
| Netherlands | 1,884 | 1,977 | 2,010 |
| China | 1,737 | 2,539 | 1,081 |
| Ireland | 1,676 | 2,039 | 1,828 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
The USA remained the largest export partner country by value in August 2025, despite having the second largest value decrease on July 2025, down £1.2 billion. This was led by Precious metals, Motor vehicles, and Pharmaceutical products. It also had the fifth largest value decrease on August 2024, down £175 million. This was led by Organic chemicals.
Germany remained the second largest export partner in August 2025, despite having the fourth largest value decrease on July 2025, down £618 million. This was led by Pharmaceutical products, Aircraft, and Mechanical appliances.
The Netherlands rose to third place in August 2025, from fifth, despite falling in value on July 2025, down £92 million. This was led by Mechanical appliances, offset by a slightly smaller increase in Mineral fuels. It also had the eighth largest value decrease on August 2024, down £126 million. This was led by Mineral fuels.
Qatar fell from seventh place to 27 in August 2025. It had the largest value decrease on July 2025, down £1.7 billion. This was dominated by Precious metals.
Figure 4: Historical export values for the top 3 export partner countries in August 2025
Figure 4 shows the values for the top 3 export partner countries for the period from March 2024 to August 2025.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
The USA accounted for 14% of the UK’s total exports in August 2025. This was down from 15% in July 2025, but up from 13% in August 2024. Exports to the USA decreased by 23% on July 2025, and by 4% on August 2024.
Germany accounted for 9% of total exports in August 2025, unchanged on July 2025, but up from 8% in August 2024. Exports to Germany decreased by 20% on July 2025, and by 2% on August 2024.
The Netherlands accounted for 7% of total exports in August 2025, up from 6% in both July 2025 and August 2024. Exports to the Netherlands decreased by 5% on July 2025, and by 6% on August 2024.
Exports: Chapter analysis
You can explore more UK export chapter data in the interactive data tables.
Precious metals had the largest value decrease on July 2025, down 51%.
Pharmaceutical products had the largest value decrease on August 2024, down 18%.
Table 3: UK exports of goods of the top 5 chapters, value comparison with July 2025 and August 2024 (£ million)
| Chapter | August 2025 | July 2025 | August 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical appliances | 6,092 | 6,871 | 5,803 |
| Precious metals | 3,140 | 6,356 | 3,403 |
| Motor vehicles | 2,125 | 3,022 | 2,264 |
| Electronic equipment | 1,927 | 2,123 | 1,912 |
| Mineral fuels | 1,908 | 1,970 | 2,229 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
Mechanical appliances remained the top export chapter in August 2025. It had the third largest value decrease on July 2025, down £779 million, led by Hong Kong, the Netherlands, China, and Germany. In contrast, it had the largest value increase on August 2024, up £289 million, led by Singapore and Germany.
Precious metals remained in second place in August 2025, despite having the largest value decrease on July 2025, down £3.2 billion. This was led by Qatar, the USA, Azerbaijan, China, and Hong Kong, partially offset by Switzerland. It also had the third largest value decrease on August 2024, down £263 million, led by India and Azerbaijan, offset by China.
Motor vehicles remained in third place in August 2025, despite having the second largest value decrease on July 2025, down £898 million. This was led by the USA. It also had the fifth largest value decrease on August 2024, down £139 million, led by the USA but partially offset by China.
Figure 5: Historical export values for the top 3 export chapters in August 2025
Figure 5 shows the values for the top 3 export chapters for the period from March 2024 to August 2025.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Download figure 5: Historical export values for the top 3 export chapters in August 2025 (ODS, 12KB)
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
Mechanical appliances accounted for 21% of the UK’s total exports in August 2025, up from 19% in July 2025 and from 18% in August 2024. Exports of Mechanical appliances decreased by 11% on July 2025, but increased by 5% on August 2024.
Precious metals accounted for 11% of the UK’s total exports. This was down from 18% in July 2025, but unchanged on August 2024. Exports of Precious metals decreased by 51% on July 2025, and by 8% on August 2024.
Motor vehicles accounted for 7% of the UK’s total exports, down from 9% in July 2025, but unchanged on August 2024. Exports of Motor vehicles decreased by 30% on July 2025, and by 6% on August 2024.
Imports: Country analysis
You can explore more UK import country data in the interactive data tables.
Uzbekistan had the largest value decrease on July 2025, down £1.6 billion to £0.4 million.
Switzerland had the largest value increase on August 2024, up 92%.
Table 4: UK imports of goods from the top 5 countries, value comparison with July 2025 and August 2024 (£ million)
| Partner country | August 2025 | July 2025 | August 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 5,901 | 6,822 | 5,687 |
| China | 5,071 | 5,310 | 5,535 |
| USA | 4,040 | 5,369 | 4,855 |
| Netherlands | 4,021 | 4,176 | 3,957 |
| France | 2,700 | 3,275 | 2,817 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
In August 2025, Germany remained the UK’s largest import partner despite having the fifth largest value decrease on July 2025, down £921 million. This was driven by Motor vehicles and Mechanical appliances, offset by Precious metals. In contrast, it had the sixth largest value increase on August 2024, up £215 million. This was driven by Aircraft.
China climbed to second place from third. Despite this, imports from China decreased by £239 million on July 2025. This was driven by Electronic equipment and Mechanical appliances, offset by Toys, games and consoles. Imports from China had the third largest value decrease on August 2024, down £464 million. This was driven by Electronic equipment, Mechanical appliances, and Inorganic chemicals, offset by Motor vehicles.
The USA dropped to third place from second. It had the second largest value decrease on July 2025, down £1.3 billion. This was driven by Precious metals. It had the largest value decrease on August 2024, down £815 million. This was driven by Mineral fuels and Precious metals, offset by Mechanical appliances.
Figure 6: Historical import values for the top 3 import partner countries in August 2025
Figure 6 shows the values for the top 3 import partner countries for the period from March 2024 to August 2025.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
In August 2025, Germany accounted for 11% of the UK’s total imports. This was unchanged from July 2025 and August 2025. Imports from Germany decreased by 13% on July 2025, but increased by 4% on August 2024. The decrease in August 2025 took imports from Germany to the lowest monthly value since January 2025.
Imports from China accounted for 10% of the UK’s total imports in August 2025. This was up from 8% in July 2025, but down from 11% in August 2024. Imports from China decreased by 5% on July 2025 and by 8% on August 2024.
Imports from the USA accounted for 8% of the UK’s total imports in August 2025. This was down from 9% in both July 2025 and August 2024. Imports from the USA decreased by 25% on July 2025 and by 17% on August 2024, taking it to the lowest monthly value for the period shown.
Imports: Chapter analysis
You can explore more UK import chapter data in the interactive data tables.
Precious metals had the largest value decrease on July 2025, down 48%.
Precious metals had the largest value increase on August 2024, up 8%.
Table 5: UK imports of goods of the top 5 chapters, value comparison with July 2025 and August 2024 (£ million)
| Chapter | August 2025 | July 2025 | August 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical appliances | 6,828 | 7,817 | 6,638 |
| Precious metals | 6,341 | 12,186 | 5,893 |
| Motor vehicles | 5,210 | 6,636 | 4,845 |
| Mineral fuels | 4,689 | 4,041 | 5,116 |
| Electronic equipment | 4,230 | 4,957 | 4,625 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
In August 2025, Mechanical appliances became the UK’s top import chapter, up from second place in July 2025. This was despite having the third largest value decrease on July 2025, down £989 million. This was driven by Germany, China, and Italy. In contrast, it had the fourth largest value increase on August 2024, up £190 million, led by the USA and Luxembourg, offset by France and China.
Precious metals dropped to second place from first. It had the largest value decrease on July 2025, down £5.8 billion. This was led by Uzbekistan, Australia, Switzerland, USA, and South Africa. In contrast, it had the largest value increase on August 2024, up £448 million. This was led by Switzerland and Australia, offset by Uzbekistan and the USA.
Motor vehicles remained the UK’s third largest import chapter in August 2025. It had the second largest value decrease on July 2025, down £1.4 billion, led by Germany. In contrast, it had the second largest value increase on August 2024, up £365 million, led by China and Belgium.
Figure 7: Historical import values for the top 3 import chapters in August 2025
Figure 7 shows the values for the top 3 import chapters for the period from March 2024 to August 2025.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
In August 2025, Mechanical appliances accounted for 13% of total imports, up from 12% in July 2025 and unchanged on August 2024. Imports of Mechanical appliances decreased by 13% on July 2025, but increased by 3% on August 2024.
Precious metals accounted for 12% of the UK’s total imports in August 2025. This was down from 19% in July 2025 but up from 11% in August 2024. The value of imports of Precious metals decreased by 48% on July 2025. In contrast, it increased by 8% on August 2024. The decrease in August 2025 took Precious metals to the lowest monthly value since January 2025.
Motor vehicles accounted for 10% of UK imports in August 2025, down from 11% in July 2025, but up from 9% on August 2024. Imports of Motor vehicles decreased by 21% on July 2025 but increased by 8% on August 2024. The decrease in August 2025 took Motor vehicles to the lowest monthly value since January 2025.
Focus
Table 6: UK exports of Motor vehicles, value comparison with July 2025
| Partner country | August 2025 (£ millions) | July 2025 (£ millions) | Change (£ millions) | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 409 | 574 | -165 | -29 |
| China | 286 | 380 | -94 | -25 |
| France | 85 | 172 | -86 | -50 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Download table 6: UK exports of Motor vehicles, value comparison with July 2025 (ODS, 10 KB)
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
UK exports of Motor vehicles had the second largest value decrease of all chapters on July 2025. This was a decrease of £898 million, or 30%.
Between July 2025 and August 2025, exports of Motor vehicles to the USA fell by the largest amount, £165 million, or 29%.
Exports of Motor vehicles to China fell by £94 million, or 25%, while exports of Motor vehicles to France fell by £86 million, or 50%.
Table 7: UK imports of Precious metals, value comparison with July 2025
| Partner country | August 2025 (£ millions) | July 2025 (£ millions) | Change (£ millions) | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uzbekistan | 0 | 1,615 | -1,615 | -100 |
| Australia | 608 | 1,881 | -1,273 | -68 |
| Switzerland | 1,680 | 2,826 | -1,146 | -41 |
| USA | 388 | 1,437 | -1,049 | -73 |
| South Africa | 400 | 1,033 | -634 | -61 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Download table 7: UK imports of Precious metals, value comparison with July 2025 (ODS, 10 KB)
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
UK imports of Precious metals had the largest value decrease of all chapters on July 2025. This was a decrease of £5.8 billion, or 48%.
Between July 2025 and August 2025, imports of Precious metals from Uzbekistan fell by the largest amount, £1.6 billion, to zero trade in August 2025.
Imports of Precious metals from Australia fell by £1.3 billion, or 68%, while imports from Switzerland fell by £1.1 billion, or 41%.
Imports of Precious metals from the USA fell by £1.0 billion, or 73%, while imports from South Africa fell by £634 million, or 61%.