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As the world’s largest economy and one of the top trading nations, the United States relies heavily on imports to support its industries, meet consumer demand and drive innovation. In 2024, U.S. imports of goods and services reached a record $4.1 trillion, reflecting the country’s role as a major buyer in the global marketplace.
But shifting trade policies and rising tariffs continue to create uncertainty for U.S. importers. Increased costs, complex compliance requirement and supply chain disruptions make it harder to remain competitive. Businesses need to stay informed and be prepared to adjust their strategies as trade policies shift.
In this article, we’ll explore the top U.S. imports based on the most recent trade data, highlighting key trends that are shaping international commerce. We’ll also take a closer look at the top trading partners supplying these imports and share some powerful tools to help you manage the uncertainty of shifting tariffs and evolving trade regulations.
Top 5 U.S. Imports
As one of the world’s largest importers, the United States brought in a total of $3.3 trillion in goods in 2024, reflecting the country’s reliance on global supply chains to meet consumer and industrial demand. In January 2025 alone, U.S. imports reached $317.31 billion, continuing the strong trade activity from the previous year.
The following are the United States’ top imports by value:
- Passenger Vehicles
- Oil
- Computers
- Cell Phones and Related Equipment
- Plasma, Vaccines and Blood
Let’s take a closer look at each of these major imports:
1. Passenger Vehicles: $217 billion
Passenger vehicles represented a significant portion of U.S. imports in 2024, totaling $217 billion. The high domestic demand for a diverse range of vehicles—from economy cars to luxury models—drives this category’s importance. The top countries exporting passenger vehicles to the U.S. were:
- Mexico
- Japan
- South Korea
- Canada
- Germany
2. Oil: $167 billion
The U.S. imported $167 billion worth of crude oil in 2024. The top suppliers of crude oil to the U.S. were:
- Canada: Supplied $98 billion worth of oil, making it by far the largest source of U.S. oil imports
- Mexico: Provided $12 billion in crude oil
3. Computers: $140 billion
Computers accounted for $140 billion of U.S. imports in 2024. Major exporters of computers to the U.S. included:
- China: The leading supplier of computers and electronic components
- Mexico: A growing manufacturing hub for electronics and computer equipment
- Taiwan: A key player in the global semiconductor and computer manufacturing market
4. Cell Phones and Related Equipment: $114 billion
The U.S. imported $114 billion worth of cell phones and related equipment in 2024, satisfying ongoing consumer demand for the latest mobile technology. The vast majority of these imports came from China, which remains the dominant supplier in this category.
5. Plasma, Vaccines and Blood: $109 billion
Imports of plasma, vaccines and blood products totaled $109 billion in 2024. These imports are vital for supporting the U.S. healthcare system. The leading suppliers of these products were:
- Germany: A major exporter of high-quality pharmaceuticals and medical products
- Switzerland: Another key player in the global pharmaceutical industry
top countries supplying imports to the U.S. in 2024:
- Mexico: $509.96 billion
- China: $462.62 billion
- Canada: $421.21 billion
- Germany: $163.39 billion
- Japan: $152.07 billion
- Vietnam: $142.48 billion
- South Korea: $135.46 billion
- Ireland: $103.76 billion
- India: $91.23 billion
- Italy: $78.42 billion
Interesting U.S. Import Stats for 2024
The year 2024 marked several import records, reflecting shifting trade patterns and strong domestic demand across multiple industries. Here are some key highlights:
Sector-Specific Highs
- Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Reached a record $216.1 billion, highlighting the growing demand for imported agricultural and food products
- Capital Goods: Surged to $962.4 billion, the highest ever, reflecting ongoing investment in machinery, equipment and technology
- Automotive Vehicles, Parts and Engines: Hit a record $474.3 billion, emphasizing the U.S. reliance on foreign auto manufacturing
- Other Goods: Totaled $133.0 billion, the highest since 2017
Energy Imports Shift
While non-petroleum imports reached a record $3.0 trillion, petroleum imports fell to $235.8 billion, the lowest since 2021.
Trade Deficits with Key Partners
- Mexico: $171.8 billion—highest on record
- Vietnam: $123.5 billion—highest on record
- Ireland, Germany, Taiwan, South Korea and India all posted record trade deficits with the U.S.
Imports from 50 Countries Set Records
The U.S. had record-high imports from numerous trading partners, led by:
- Mexico: $505.9 billion
- Germany: $160.4 billion
- Japan: $148.2 billion
What This Means for U.S. Importers
In an increasingly competitive global market, rising tariffs and shifting trade policies are making it harder for U.S. businesses to maintain profit margins. Importers who fail to accurately calculate total costs or overlook compliance requirements risk losing their competitive edge—or worse, facing costly penalties and supply chain disruptions.
To succeed in this challenging environment, businesses need to be proactive, strategic and well-informed. That’s where Shipping Solutions’ tools come in—giving you the insights and control you need to stay competitive, even as the trade landscape shifts.
Landed Cost Calculator
With tariffs and trade policies in flux, understanding the true cost of your imported goods is more important than ever. A product that looks like a bargain at the supplier’s price could end up costing far more once you factor in shipping fees, insurance, duties and taxes. Failing to account for these costs can lead to shrinking margins—or even losses.
Our Landed Cost Calculator helps you stay competitive by calculating the total landed cost of your imported goods, including:
- Import duties
- VAT and excise taxes
- Government fees
- Anti-dumping and countervailing duties
The calculator also allows you to compare up to five different sourcing options side-by-side. Should you import from China or Mexico? Would sourcing domestically be more cost-effective after tariffs and duties are applied? The Landed Cost Calculator gives you the data to make smart decisions.
Import Controls Software
Tariff changes and evolving import regulations mean more risk for businesses that aren’t prepared. Every product you import must meet U.S. Customs and Border Protection requirements—and that means more than just paying the correct duty. You need to know:
- Whether import licenses or permits are required
- If your product is subject to quotas or restrictions
- Whether anti-dumping or countervailing duties apply
- If certificates of origin or product compliance are needed
With our Import Controls Software, just enter your product’s HS code, along with the country of import, manufacture and export. The software will instantly provide a list of all applicable import controls, so you can avoid costly delays and penalties—and keep your supply chain running smoothly.
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