UK overseas trade in goods statistics November 2025: commentary
Published 15 January 2026
© Crown copyright 2026
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Corrections
HMRC published corrections to the UK overseas trade in goods (OTS) on Thursday 15 January 2026.
The corrections affected only export trade data, covering months March 2024 to October 2025.
The impact of the corrections have increased total UK exports by around 1.3% for January to December 2024, and by around 1.8% on the value for January to October 2025 previously published.
This affects mineral fuels, specifically commodities found in HS Chapter 27.
Other scheduled revisions for 2025 for other commodities and flows may have been made under HMRC policy on revisions to official statistics.
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 November 2025
£32.8 billion down £4.3 billion, or 12%, on October 2025, down £7.3 billion, or 18%, on November 2024
Total imports of goods for November 2025
£63.7 billion down £0.2 billion, or 0.4%, on October 2025, up £4.5 billion, or 8%, on November 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 £30.9 billion, widening the trade gap by £4.1 billion compared with October 2025.
Figure 1: Total UK monthly trade in goods, June 2024 to November 2025
Figure 1 shows total exports, imports and the trade gap for the period from June 2024 to November 2025.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Download figure 1: Total UK monthly trade in goods, June 2024 to November 2025 (ODS, 14.5 KB)
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
Both exports and imports decreased in November 2025, but exports far more so than imports. Export decreases were driven by trade of Precious metals, and imports were driven by decreases in trade of Motor vehicles. The trade gap widened in November 2025 as exports decreased more sharply than imports.
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, June 2024 to November 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.
NMG exports fell by £3.8 billion in November 2025, alongside a £0.5 billion decrease across all other exports.
Imports of NMG rose by £3.4 billion, but all other imports decreased by £3.6 billion.
EU and non-EU trade in goods
Exports to the EU accounted for 47% of the total value of exports, or 50% when excluding NMG.
Imports from the EU accounted for 44% of the total value of imports, or 53% when excluding NMG.
Table 1: Total UK trade in goods with EU and non-EU, including and excluding the impact of NMG, November 2025 (£ billion)
| Flow | EU |
EU excl NMG |
Non-EU |
Non-EU excl NMG |
Total | Total excl NMG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exports | 15.4 | 15.2 | 17.3 | 15.4 | 32.8 | 30.6 |
| Imports | 27.9 | 27.3 | 35.8 | 24.6 | 63.7 | 52.0 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
EU exports for November 2025 were £15.4 billion. This was an increase of £0.2 billion, or 1%, on October 2025, but a decrease of £0.1 billion, or 0.7%, compared with November 2024.
Non-EU exports for November 2025 were £17.3 billion. This was a decrease of £4.5 billion, or 21%, on October 2025, and a decrease of £7.2 billion, or 29%, compared with November 2024.
EU imports for November 2025 were £27.9 billion. This was a decrease of £1.6 billion, or 5%, on October 2025, and a decrease of £0.3 billion, or 1%, compared with November 2024.
Non-EU imports for November 2025 were £35.8 billion. This was an increase of £1.4 billion, or 4%, on October 2025, but an increase of £4.8 billion, or 15%, compared with November 2024.
Figure 3: Total UK monthly trade in goods with EU and non-EU, June 2024 to November 2025
Figure 3 shows total exports and imports for EU and non-EU trade for the period from June 2024 to November 2025.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
EU exports rose by £0.2 billion in November 2025. Non-EU exports decreased by £4.5 billion, driven by a decrease in exports of Precious metals.
EU imports decreased by £1.6 billion in November 2025. Non-EU imports increased by £1.4 billion, driven by an increase in imports of Precious metals. This was the highest value since October 2024.
Exports: Country analysis
You can explore more UK export country data in the interactive data tables.
Qatar had the largest value decrease on October 2025, down 82%.
Switzerland had the largest value decrease on November 2024, down 90%.
Table 2: UK exports of goods to the top 5 partner countries, value comparison with October 2025 and November 2024 (£ million)
| Partner country | November 2025 | October 2025 | November 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 4,009 | 4,484 | 5,420 |
| Germany | 2,984 | 2,885 | 2,904 |
| Netherlands | 2,218 | 2,160 | 2,185 |
| China | 2,069 | 2,522 | 4,370 |
| Ireland | 2,062 | 2,085 | 2,081 |
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 November 2025. This was despite a decrease in value of £475 million on October 2025. This was driven by Inorganic chemicals, Pharmaceutical products, and Mechanical appliances. It also had a decrease in value on November 2024, down £1.4 billion. This was driven by Precious metals and Motor vehicles.
Germany remained the second largest export partner in November 2025. It had an increase in value on October 2025, up £99 million. This was driven by Pharmaceutical products and Mechanical appliances. It also had an increase in value on November 2024, up £80 million. This was driven by Pharmaceutical products and Mechanical appliances, but offset by Motor vehicles.
The Netherlands became the third largest export partner in November 2025, up from fourth. It had an increase in value on October 2025, up £58 million. This was led by Mineral fuels and Motor vehicles, but offset by Organic chemicals. It also had an increase in value on November 2024, up £33 million. This was dominated by Mechanical appliances.
Figure 4: Historical export values for the top 3 export partner countries in November 2025
Figure 4 shows the values for the top 3 export partner countries for the period from June 2024 to November 2025.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
The USA accounted for 12% of the UK’s total exports in November 2025. This was unchanged from October 2025, but down from 14% in November 2024. Exports to the USA decreased by 11% on October 2025 and by 26% on November 2024.
Germany accounted for 9% of total exports in November 2025. This was up from 8% in October 2025 and 7% in November 2024. Exports to Germany increased by 3% on October 2025 and also by 3% on November 2024.
The Netherlands accounted for 7% of total exports in November 2025. This was up from 6% in October 2025, and 5% in November 2024. Exports to the Netherlands increased by 3% on October 2025 and by 1% on November 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 October 2025, down 56%.
Precious metals had the largest value decrease on November 2024, down 66%.
Table 3: UK exports of goods of the top 5 chapters, value comparison with October 2025 and November 2024
(£ million)
| Chapter | November 2025 | October 2025 | November 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical appliances | 6,990 | 7,354 | 6,821 |
| Precious metals | 3,452 | 7,778 | 10,170 |
| Motor vehicles | 2,719 | 2,254 | 3,378 |
| Electronic equipment | 2,305 | 2,316 | 2,158 |
| Mineral fuels | 1,907 | 1,920 | 2,392 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
Mechanical appliances became the top export chapter in November 2025, up from second. This was despite a decrease in value of £364 million on October 2025. This was driven by Singapore, the USA, and Canada. In contrast, it had an increase in value on November 2024, up £168 million. This was led by Hong Kong, but offset by the USA and Canada.
Precious metals fell to second place in November 2025. It had a decrease in value on October 2025, down £4.3 billion. This was driven by Qatar and Switzerland, partially offset by Hong Kong. It also had a decrease in value on November 2024, down £6.7 billion, driven by Switzerland and China, partially offset by Hong Kong.
Motor vehicles moved to third place in November 2025, up from fourth. It had an increase in value on October 2025, up £464 million. This was led by China. In contrast, it had a decrease in value on November 2024, down £659 million, driven by the USA and France.
Figure 5: Historical export values for the top 3 export chapters in November 2025
Figure 5 shows the values for the top 3 export chapters for the period from June 2024 to November 2025.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
Mechanical appliances accounted for 21% of the UK’s total exports in November 2025. This was up from 20% in October 2025, and up from 17% in November 2024. Exports of Mechanical appliances decreased by 5% on October 2025, but increased by 2% on November 2024.
Precious metals accounted for 11% of the UK’s total exports in November 2025, down from 21% in October 2025 and from 25% in November 2024. Exports of Precious metals decreased by 56% on October 2025 and by 66% on November 2024.
Motor vehicles accounted for 8% of the UK’s total exports in November 2025, up from 6% in October 2025 but unchanged on November 2024. Exports of Motor vehicles increased by 21% on October 2025 but decreased by 20% on November 2024.
Imports: Country analysis
You can explore more UK import country data in the interactive data tables.
USA had the largest value decrease on October 2025, down 17%.
Switzerland had the largest value increase on November 2024, up to over 4 times the value.
Table 4: UK imports of goods from the top 5 partner countries, value comparison with October 2025 and November 2024 (£ million)
| Partner country | November 2025 | October 2025 | November 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 6,651 | 8,057 | 4,693 |
| Germany | 6,312 | 6,953 | 6,764 |
| China | 5,629 | 6,119 | 6,459 |
| Switzerland | 5,165 | 2,478 | 1,252 |
| Netherlands | 4,091 | 4,421 | 4,133 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
The USA remained the UK’s largest import partner in November 2025. This was despite a decrease in value on October 2025, down £1.4 billion. In contrast, imports from the USA had an increase in value on November 2024, up £2.0 billion. Both changes were dominated by Precious metals.
Germany remained in second place in November 2025. It had a decrease in value on October 2025, down £641 million. This was driven by Motor vehicles, Precious metals, and Aircraft. Imports from Germany also had a decrease in value on November 2024, down £452 million. This was driven by Precious metals and Motor vehicles, partially offset by Mechanical appliances.
China remained in third place in November 2025. It had a decrease in value on October 2025, down £491 million. This was led by Toys, games and consoles. Imports from China also had a decrease in value on November 2024, down £830 million. This was led by Electronic equipment, Mechanical appliances, and Precious metals.
Figure 6: Historical import values for the top 3 import partner countries in November 2025
Figure 6 shows the values for the top 3 import partner countries for the period from June 2024 to November 2025.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
The USA accounted for 10% of the UK’s total imports In November 2025. This was down from 13% in October 2025 but up from 8% in November 2024. Imports from the USA decreased by 17% on October 2025 but increased by 42% on November 2024.
Imports from Germany accounted for 10% of the UK’s total imports in November 2025. This was down from 11% in both October 2025 and November 2024. Imports from Germany decreased by 9% on October 2025 and by 7% on November 2024.
Imports from China accounted for 9% of the UK’s total imports in November 2025. This was down from 10% in October 2025 and from 11% in November 2024. Imports from China decreased by 8% on October 2025 and by 13% on November 2024.
Imports: Chapter analysis
You can explore more UK import chapter data in the interactive data tables.
Motor vehicles had the largest value decrease on October 2025, down 11%.
Precious metals had the largest value increase on November 2024, up 72%.
Table 5: UK imports of goods of the top 5 chapters, value comparison with October 2025 and November 2024
(£ million)
| Chapter | November 2025 | October 2025 | November 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Precious metals | 13,609 | 12,013 | 7,901 |
| Mechanical appliances | 7,950 | 7,811 | 6,962 |
| Motor vehicles | 5,816 | 6,554 | 6,343 |
| Electronic equipment | 5,452 | 5,526 | 5,761 |
| Mineral fuels | 4,654 | 4,269 | 5,548 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
Precious metals remained the UK’s top import chapter in November 2025. It had an increase in value on October 2025, up £1.6 billion. This was driven by Switzerland, but offset by the USA. It also had an increase in value on November 2024, up £5.7 billion. This was driven by Switzerland, Canada, and the USA, offset by Kazakhstan.
Mechanical appliances remained in second place. It had an increase in value on October 2025, up £140 million. This was driven by Mexico, Thailand, and Singapore. It also had an increase in value on November 2024, up £988 million. This was led by Thailand, Mexico, the USA, Germany, Luxembourg, and France.
Motor vehicles remained the UK’s third largest import chapter in November 2025. This was despite a decrease in value of £738 million on October 2025. This was driven by Germany and Belgium. It had a decrease in value on November 2024, down £527 million. This was driven by Belgium and Germany.
Figure 7: Historical import values for the top 3 import chapters in November 2025
Figure 7 shows the values for the top 3 import chapters for the period from June 2024 to November 2025.
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
Precious metals accounted for 21% of total imports in November 2025. This was up from 19% in October 2025 and 13% in November 2024. Imports of Precious metals increased by 13% on October 2025 and by 72% on November 2024.
Mechanical appliances accounted for 12% of the UK’s total imports in November 2025. This was unchanged on both October 2025 and November 2024. The value of imports of Mechanical appliances increased by 2% on October 2025 and by 14% on November 2024.
Motor vehicles accounted for 9% of UK imports in November 2025. This was down from 10% in October 2025 and 11% in November 2024. Imports of Motor vehicles decreased by 11% on October 2025 and by 8% on November 2024.
Focus
Table 6: UK exports of Motor vehicles, value comparison with October 2025
| Partner country |
November 2025 (£ million) |
October 2025 (£ million) |
Change (£ million) |
Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 244 | 75 | 169 | 225 |
| USA | 540 | 446 | 94 | 21 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Download table 6: UK exports of Motor vehicles, value comparison with October 2025 (ODS, 12.7 KB)
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
UK exports of Motor vehicles had the largest value increase of all chapters on October 2025. This was an increase of £464 million, or 21%.
Between October 2025 and November 2025, exports of Motor vehicles to China rose by the largest amount, £169 million, to almost 3.5 times the value.
Exports of Motor vehicles to the USA rose by £94 million, or 21%.
Table 7: UK imports of Precious metals, value comparison with October 2025
| Partner country |
November 2025 (£ million) |
October 2025 (£ million) |
Change (£ million) |
Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | 4,414 | 1,702 | 2,712 | 159 |
| USA | 2,541 | 4,165 | -1,624 | -39 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs
Download table 7: UK imports of Precious metals, value comparison with October 2025 (ODS, 12.9 KB)
Note: 2025 data is provisional.
UK imports of Precious metals had the largest value increase of all chapters on October 2025. This was an increase of £1.6 billion, or 13%.
Between October 2025 and November 2025, imports of Precious metals from Switzerland increased by the largest amount, £2.7 billion, or up to 2.5 times the value.
In contrast, imports from the USA fell by £1.6 billion, or 39%.