UK overseas trade in goods statistics July 2025: commentary
Published 12 September 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 July 2025
£35.7 billion up £7.5 billion, or 27%, on June 2025, up £5.9 billion, or 20%, on July 2024.
Total imports of goods for July 2025
£62.7 billion up £0.4 billion, or 1%, on June 2025, up £8.7 billion, or 16%, on July 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 £27.0 billion, narrowing the trade gap by £7.1 billion compared with June 2025.
Figure 1: Total UK monthly trade in goods, February 2024 to July 2025
Figure 1 shows total exports, imports and the trade gap for the period from February 2024 to July 2025.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Download figure 1: Total UK monthly trade in goods, February 2024 to July 2025 (ODS, 11.8 KB)
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
Exports rose in July 2025 after five consecutive monthly decreases, led by an increase in exports of Precious metals. Imports also rose but by a smaller amount, leading to a narrowing of the trade gap compared with June 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, February 2024 to July 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 rose by £4.7 billion in July 2025, adding to the £2.8 billion increase in exports excluding NMG. Imports of NMG fell by £2.7 billion in July 2025, in contrast to the £3.1 billion increase in imports excluding NMG.
EU and non-EU trade in goods
Exports to the EU accounted for 44% 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 55% when excluding NMG.
Table 1: Total UK trade in goods with EU and non-EU, including and excluding the impact of NMG, July 2025 (£ billion)
| Flow | EU | EU excl NMG | Non-EU | Non-EU excl NMG | Total | Total excl NMG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exports | 15.5 | 15.3 | 20.1 | 15.3 | 35.7 | 30.6 |
| Imports | 29.1 | 28.4 | 33.6 | 23.3 | 62.7 | 51.7 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
EU exports for July 2025 were £15.5 billion. This was an increase of £1.3 billion, or 9%, on June 2025, and an increase of £1.2 billion, or 8%, compared with July 2024.
Non-EU exports for July 2025 were £20.1 billion. This was an increase of £6.2 billion, or 45%, on June 2025, and an increase of £4.7 billion, or 30%, compared with July 2024.
EU imports for July 2025 were £29.1 billion. This was an increase of £2.4 billion, or 9%, on June 2025, and an increase of £1.2 billion, or 4%, compared with July 2024.
Non-EU imports for July 2025 were £33.6 billion. This was a decrease of £2.1 billion, or 6%, on June 2025, but an increase of £7.5 billion, or 29%, compared with July 2024.
Figure 3: Total UK monthly trade in goods with EU and non-EU, February 2024 to July 2025
Figure 3 shows total exports and imports for EU and non-EU trade for the period from February 2024 to July 2025.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
EU exports continue to be relatively stable over the period from February 2024 to July 2025. Non-EU exports rose sharply in July 2025, driven by exports of Precious metals. EU imports continue to fluctuate slightly in the period shown, rising in July 2025. Non-EU imports fell in July 2025, after a sharp increase in the previous month.
Exports: Country analysis
You can explore more UK export country data in the interactive data tables.
Qatar had the largest value increase on June 2025, up to 9.5 times the value.
Qatar had the largest value increase on July 2024 up to 14 times the value.
Table 2: UK exports of goods to the top 5 countries, value comparison with June 2025 and July 2024 (£ million)
| Partner country | July 2025 | June 2025 | July 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 5,304 | 3,754 | 4,502 |
| Germany | 3,117 | 2,439 | 2,487 |
| China | 2,542 | 1,008 | 1,218 |
| Netherlands | 2,143 | 1,944 | 2,093 |
| Ireland | 2,034 | 1,736 | 1,725 |
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, and had the second largest value increase on June 2025, up £1.5 billion. This was led by Precious metals, Motor vehicles, and Inorganic chemicals. It also had the third largest value increase on July 2024, up £802 million. This was led by Precious metals, Inorganic chemicals, and Pharmaceutical products.
Germany remained the second largest export partner in June 2025, and had the fourth largest value increase on June 2025, up £677 million. This was led by Pharmaceutical products, Precious metals, Aircraft, and Mechanical appliances. It also had the fourth largest value increase on July 2024, up £630 million. This was led by Mechanical appliances and Pharmaceutical products.
China rose to third place in July 2025, from seventh. It had the third largest value increase on June 2025, up £1.5 billion. This was led by Precious metals, Motor vehicles, and Mineral fuels. It also had the second largest value increase on July 2024, up £1.3 billion. This was led by Precious metals, Mechanical appliances, and Mineral fuels.
Qatar rose from 26 to seventh place in July 2025. It had the largest value increase on June 2025, up £1.6 billion. It also had the largest value increase on July 2024, up £1.7 billion. Both increases were dominated by Precious metals.
Figure 4: Historical export values for the top 3 export partner countries in July 2025
Figure 4 shows the values for the top 3 export partner countries for the period from February 2024 to July 2025.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
The USA accounted for 15% of the UK’s total exports in July 2025. This was up from 13% in June 2025, but unchanged from July 2024. Exports to the USA increased by 41% on June 2025, and by 18% on July 2024. The increase in July 2025 followed five consecutive decreases since January 2025, which was the highest value over the period shown. This took the USA to the highest monthly export value since March 2025.
Germany accounted for 9% of total exports in July 2025, unchanged on June 2025, but up from 8% in July 2024. Exports to Germany increased by 28% on June 2025, and by 25% on July 2024. July 2025 took Germany to the highest monthly export value over the period shown.
China accounted for 7% of total exports in July 2025, compared to 4% in both June 2025 and July 2024. Exports to China increased to 2.5 times the value on June 2025, and up to double the value on July 2024.
Exports: Chapter analysis
You can explore more UK export chapter data in the interactive data tables.
Precious metals had the largest value increase on June 2025, up to 5.5 times the value.
Precious metals had the largest value increase on July 2024, up to 4.5 times the value.
Table 3: UK exports of goods of the top 5 chapters, value comparison with June 2025 and July 2024 (£ million)
| Chapter | July 2025 | June 2025 | July 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical appliances | 6,875 | 6,521 | 5,877 |
| Precious metals | 6,355 | 1,142 | 1,408 |
| Motor vehicles | 3,023 | 2,286 | 3,599 |
| Mineral fuels | 2,179 | 1,845 | 2,695 |
| Electronic equipment | 2,126 | 2,064 | 1,901 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
Mechanical appliances remained the top export chapter in July 2025. It had the third largest value increase on June 2025, up £354 million, led by Germany and the Netherlands. It had the second largest value increase on July 2024, up £998 million, led by Germany and China.
Precious metals rose to second place in July 2025, from seventh. It had the largest value increase on June 2025, up £5.2 billion, led by Qatar, China, and the USA. It also had the largest value increase on July 2024, up £4.9 billion, led by Qatar, the USA and China.
Motor vehicles fell to third place in July 2025, from second, despite having the second largest value increase on June 2025, up £738 million, led by the USA and China. In contrast, it experienced the largest value decrease on July 2024, down £576 million, led by the USA and Turkey.
Figure 5: Historical export values for the top 3 export chapters in July 2025
Figure 5 shows the values for the top 3 export chapters for the period from February 2024 to July 2025.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
Mechanical appliances accounted for 19% of the UK’s total exports in July 2025, down from 23% in June 2025 and from 20% in July 2024. Exports of Mechanical appliances increased by 5% on June 2025, and by 17% on July 2024.
Precious metals accounted for 18% of the UK’s total exports. This was up from 4% in June 2025 and from 5% in July 2024. Exports of Precious metals increased to 5.5 times the value on June 2025, and to 4.5 times the value on July 2024.
Motor vehicles accounted for 8% of the UK’s total exports, unchanged from June 2025, but down from 12% in July 2024. Exports of Motor vehicles increased by 32% on June 2025, but decreased by 16% on July 2024.
Imports: Country analysis
You can explore more UK import country data in the interactive data tables.
Uzbekistan had the largest value increase on June 2025, up £1.6 billion from £0.6 million.
Uzbekistan had the largest value increase on July 2024, up £1.6 billion from £0.8 million.
Table 4: UK imports of goods from the top 5 countries, value comparison with June 2025 and July 2024 (£ million)
| Partner Country | July 2025 | June 2025 | July 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 6,823 | 5,989 | 6,560 |
| USA | 5,369 | 6,439 | 4,744 |
| China | 5,310 | 4,810 | 5,284 |
| Netherlands | 4,177 | 3,724 | 4,146 |
| Switzerland | 3,485 | 6,758 | 2,176 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
In July 2025, Germany became the UK’s largest import partner, rising from third. It had the second largest value increase on June 2025, up £834 million, driven by Motor vehicles, Mechanical appliances, and Aircraft.
The USA remained in second place despite having the second largest value decrease on June 2025, down £1.1 billion, driven by Precious metals and Aircraft. In contrast, it had the sixth largest value increase on July 2024, up £625 million, driven by Precious metals and Mechanical appliances.
China climbed to third place from fourth. It had the fifth largest value increase on June 2025, up £500 million. This was driven by increases over several commodities.
Uzbekistan rose significantly in the rankings, rising from 133 to twelfth place. Both increases were dominated by Precious metals.
Figure 6: Historical import values for the top 3 import partner countries in July 2025
Figure 6 shows the values for the top 3 import partner countries for the period from February 2024 to July 2025.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
In July 2025, Germany accounted for 11% of the UK’s total imports. This was up from 10% in June 2025 but down from 12% in July 2024. Imports from Germany increased by 14% on June 2025, and 4% on July 2024. The increase in July 2025 led to the highest value over the period shown.
Imports from the USA accounted for 9% of the UK’s total imports in July 2025. This was down from 10% in June 2025, but unchanged from July 2024. Imports from the USA decreased by 17% on June 2025 but increased by 13% on July 2024.
Imports from China accounted for 8% of the UK’s total imports in July 2025. This was unchanged from June 2025, but down from 10% in July 2024. Imports from China increased by 10% on June 2025 and by 1% on July 2024.
Imports: Chapter analysis
You can explore more UK import chapter data in the interactive data tables.
Mechanical appliances had the largest value increase on June 2025, up 13%.
Precious metals had the largest value increase on July 2024, doubling in value.
Table 5: UK imports of goods of the top 5 chapters, value comparison with June 2025 and July 2024 (£ million)
| Chapter | July 2025 | June 2025 | July 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Precious metals | 12,186 | 14,974 | 5,873 |
| Mechanical appliances | 7,816 | 6,917 | 6,080 |
| Motor vehicles | 6,636 | 6,387 | 6,329 |
| Electronic equipment | 4,957 | 4,530 | 4,630 |
| Mineral fuels | 4,045 | 3,807 | 5,080 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
Precious metals remained the top import chapter in July 2025 despite having the largest value decrease on June 2025, down £2.8 billion, dominated by Switzerland. In contrast, it had the largest value increase on July 2024, up £6.3 billion. This was led by Uzbekistan, Australia, and Switzerland.
Mechanical appliances remained in second place in July 2025. It had the largest value increase on June 2025, up £900 million, driven by Germany and Indonesia. It had the second largest value increase on July 2024, up £1.7 billion, led by the USA, Germany, and Indonesia.
Motor vehicles remained the UK’s third largest import chapter in July 2025. It had the third largest value increase on June 2025, up £249 million, dominated by Germany. It also had the fourth largest value increase on July 2024, up £307 million, driven by China and Turkey.
Figure 7: Historical import values for the top 3 import chapters in July 2025
Figure 7 shows the values for the top 3 import chapters for the period from February 2024 to July 2025.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
In July 2025, Precious metals accounted for 19% of the UK’s total imports. This was down from 24% in June 2025 but up from 11% in July 2024. The value of imports of Precious metals decreased by 19% on June 2025. In contrast, it doubled on July 2024.
Mechanical appliances accounted for 12% of total imports in July 2025, up from 11% in both June 2025 and July 2024. Imports of Mechanical appliances increased by 13% on June 2025 and by 29% on July 2024.
Motor vehicles accounted for 11% of UK imports in July 2025, up from 10% in June 2025, but down from 12% in July 2024. Imports of Motor vehicles increased by 4% on June 2025 and by 5% on July 2024. The increase in July 2025 took Motor vehicles to the highest monthly value over the period shown.
Focus
Table 6: UK exports of Precious metals, value comparison with June 2025
| Partner country | July 2025 (£m) | June 2025 (£m) | Change (£m) | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qatar | 1,658 | 16 | 1,642 | 10,006 |
| China | 1,219 | 32 | 1,187 | 3,683 |
| USA | 1,259 | 82 | 1,176 | 1,426 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Download table 6: UK exports of Precious metals, value comparison with June 2025 (ODS, 10.1 KB)
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
UK exports of Precious metals had the largest value increase of all chapters on June 2025. This was an increase of £5.2 billion, up to 5.5 times the value.
Between June 2025 and July 2025, exports of Precious metals to Qatar rose by the largest amount, £1.6 billion, from £16 million in June 2025.
Exports of Precious metals to China rose by £1.2 billion, from £32 million in June 2025, while exports to the USA rose by £1.2 billion, from £82 million in June 2025.
Table 7: UK imports from Germany, value comparison with June 2025
| Chapter | July 2025 (£m) | June 2025 (£m) | Change (£m) | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motor vehicles | 2,214 | 1,898 | 316 | 17 |
| Mechanical appliances | 1,205 | 915 | 289 | 32 |
| Aircraft | 271 | 93 | 178 | 191 |
| Precious metals | 304 | 520 | -215 | -41 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Download table 7: UK imports from Germany, value comparison with June 2025 (ODS, 10.2 KB)
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
UK imports from Germany had the second largest value increase of all countries on June 2025. This was an increase of £834 million, or 14%.
Between June 2025 and July 2025, imports of Motor vehicles from Germany rose by the largest amount, £316 million, or 17%.
Imports of Mechanical appliances from Germany rose by £289 million, or 32%, while imports of Aircraft rose by £178 million, or to 3 times the value.
These increases were offset by a decrease in imports of Precious metals from Germany, down by £215 million, or 41%.