U.S.-Hong Kong Trade Facts

Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. It operates as a separate customs territory.

U.S. goods and services trade with Hong Kong totaled an estimated $66.9 billion in 2018. Exports were $50.1 billion; imports were $16.8 billion. The U.S. goods and services trade surplus with Hong Kong was $33.4 billion in 2018.

Hong Kong is currently our 21st largest goods trading partner with $43.6 billion in total (two way) goods trade during 2018. Goods exports totaled $37.3 billion; goods imports totaled $6.3 billion. The U.S. goods trade surplus with Hong Kong was $31.0 billion in 2018.

Trade in services with Hong Kong (exports and imports) totaled an estimated $23.3 billion in 2018. Services exports were $12.8 billion; services imports were $10.5 billion. The U.S. services trade surplus with Hong Kong was $2.3 billion in 2018.

According to the Department of Commerce, U.S. exports of Goods and Services to Hong Kong supported an estimated 188 thousand jobs in 2015 (latest data available) (125 thousand supported by goods exports and 63 thousand supported by services exports).

Exports:

Hong Kong was the United States' 10th largest goods export market in 2018.



U.S. goods exports to Hong Kong in 2018 were $37.3 billion, down 6.4% ($2.5 billion) from 2017 but up 73.5% from 2008. U.S. exports to Hong Kong account for 2.2% of overall U.S. exports in 2018.



The top export categories (2-digit HS) in 2018 were: electrical machinery ($11 billion), precious metal and stone (diamonds) ($9.2 billion), art and antiques ($2.2 billion), machinery ($2.1 billion), and meat (beef) ($1.6 billion).



U.S. total exports of agricultural products to Hong Kong totaled $4.0 billion in 2018. Leading domestic export categories include: tree nuts ($1.1 billion), beef & beef products ($966 million), poultry meat & prods. (ex. eggs) ($431 million), pork & pork products ($282 million), and fresh fruit ($237 million).



U.S. exports of services to Hong Kong were an estimated $12.8 billion in 2018, 20.7% ($2.2 billion) more than 2017, and 119% greater than 2008 levels. Leading services exports from the U.S. to Hong Kong were in the intellectual property (trademarks), transport, and financial services sectors.

​ Imports:

Hong Kong was the United States' 42nd largest supplier of goods imports in 2018.



U.S. goods imports from Hong Kong totaled $6.3 billion in 2018, down 14.7% ($1.1 billion) from 2017, and down 3.0% from 2008.



The top import categories (2-digit HS) in 2018 were: special other (returns) ($2.4 billion), electrical machinery ($980 million), precious metal and stone (diamonds) ($916 million), machinery ($321 million), and plastics ($166 million).



U.S. total imports of agricultural products from Hong Kong totaled $97 million in 2018. Leading categories include: snack foods ($16 million), fresh vegetables ($6 million), processed fruit & vegetables ($3 million), tea, including herb ($2 million), and wine and beer ($2 million).



U.S. imports of services from Hong Kong were an estimated $10.5 billion in 2018, 7.7% ($753 million) more than 2017, and 46.1% greater than 2008 levels. Leading services imports from Hong Kong to the U.S. were in the transport, financial services, and travel sectors.

Trade Balance:

The U.S. goods trade surplus with Hong Kong was $31.0 billion in 2018, a 4.5% decrease ($1.5 billion) over 2017.



The United States has a services trade surplus of an estimated $2.3 billion with Hong Kong in 2018, up 162% from 2017.

​ Investment: