UK trade: July 2026

• The value of goods imports rose by £1.3 billion (2.4%) in July 2026, with a rise in imports from non-EU countries partially offset by a fall in imports from the EU.
• The value of goods exports rose by £0.9 billion (2.8%) in July 2026, with increases in exports to both EU and non-EU countries.
• The total goods and services trade deficit narrowed by £1.1 billion to £9.0 billion in the three months to July 2026, compared with the three months to April 2026.
• The trade in goods deficit narrowed by £0.4 billion to £61.6 billion in the three months to July 2026, while the trade in services surplus is estimated to have widened by £0.7 billion to £52.6 billion.

Total imports of goods in "current prices" increased by £1.3 billion (2.4%) in July 2026, when compared with June 2026. This increase was because of a £1.7 billion (6.7%) rise in imports from non-EU countries, which was partially offset by a £0.4 billion (1.4%) fall in imports from the EU (Table 1 and Figure 1). Total imports of goods in "current prices" are not adjusted for inflation, as explained in Section 10: Glossary.

Total exports of goods increased by £0.9 billion (2.8%) in July 2026. This increase was because of a £0.8 billion (5.2%) rise in exports to the EU and a £0.1 billion (0.6%) increase in exports to non-EU countries.

Imports from the EU were £0.6 billion higher than from non-EU countries in July 2026, while exports to the EU were £0.5 billion lower than exports to non-EU countries.

Figure 1: Imports from non-EU countries rose in July 2026

EU and non-EU goods imports and exports, excluding precious metals, current prices, seasonally adjusted, July 2023 to July 2026

Total goods imports increased by £1.1 billion (2.1%) in July 2026 (Figure 2), after removing the effect of inflation by calculating chained volume measures (as explained in Section 10: Glossary). This was because of a £1.1 billion (4.2%) rise in imports from non-EU countries, as imports from the EU remained stable.

Total goods exports increased by £1.1 billion (3.5%) in July 2026, after the effect of inflation was removed. This was because exports to the EU rose by £1.1 billion (7.2%) while exports to non-EU countries remained stable.

Figure 2: Imports from non-EU countries rose in both value and inflation-adjusted terms in July 2026

Imports and exports of goods, excluding precious metals, current prices and chained volume measures, seasonally adjusted, EU and non-EU, July 2023 to July 2026

Silver, platinum and palladium bullion are components of precious metals and form part of the "material manufactures" commodity group. Trade in precious metals can be large and highly volatile, distorting underlying trends in trade in goods. We have added a “Material manufactures, excluding precious metals” series to our UK trade: goods and services publication tables and have used this series for the analysis in this section.

More detail on the allocation of precious metals is provided in Section 11: Data sources and quality.

Goods imports

Imports from the EU decreased by £0.4 billion (1.4%) in July 2026, when compared with June 2026. This was primarily because of a fall of £0.3 billion in imports of machinery and transport equipment (Figure 3), which was linked to reduced imports of aircraft from Germany and the Netherlands and cars from Belgium and France.

Imports from non-EU countries increased by £1.7 billion (6.7%) in July 2026. This was primarily because of a £1.7 billion rise in imports of machinery and transport equipment, and a £0.2 billion increase in imports of material manufactures (excluding precious metals). These increases were partially offset by a £0.4 billion fall in fuel imports. The rise in imports of machinery and transport equipment was because of higher imports of aircraft from the United States and cars from China. July 2026 recorded the highest level of car imports per month from China. The rise in imports of material manufactures (excluding precious metals) was linked to higher imports of iron and steel from Turkey, while the fall in fuel imports was because of lower imports of crude oil from the United States.

Figure 3: Imports of machinery and transport equipment from non-EU countries rose in July 2026

Changes in EU and non-EU goods imports by commodity group, excluding unspecified goods, current prices, seasonally adjusted, July 2026 compared with June 2026

Notes:

1. Material manufactures presented in this chart exclude silver, platinum, and palladium bullion bars as these are components of precious metals. Trade in precious metals can be large and highly volatile, distorting underlying trends in trade in goods.
2. Figures may not sum because of rounding.

Goods exports

Exports to the EU increased by £0.8 billion (5.2%) in July 2026, when compared with June 2026 (Figure 4). This was because of £0.2 billion rises in exports of:

• machinery and transport equipment
• material manufactures (excluding precious metals)
• chemicals

The rise in exports of machinery and transport equipment was because of higher exports of aircraft to the Netherlands. The rise in exports of material manufactures (excluding precious metals) was because of higher exports of non-ferrous metals (excluding precious metals) to Germany. The increase in chemical exports was linked to higher exports of medicinal and pharmaceutical exports to Germany.

Exports to non-EU countries increased by £0.1 billion (0.6%) in July 2026. This was because of a £0.3 billion rise in exports of machinery and transport equipment, which was partially offset by a £0.2 billion fall in exports of material manufactures (excluding precious metals). The rise in exports of machinery and transport equipment was linked to higher exports of cars to China. The fall in exports of material manufactures (excluding precious metals) was linked to reduced exports of miscellaneous metal manufactures to Guyana, and non-ferrous metals (excluding precious metals) to North Macedonia.

Figure 4: Exports of machinery and transport equipment to both EU and non-EU countries rose in July 2026

Changes in EU and non-EU goods exports by commodity group, excluding unspecified goods, current prices, seasonally adjusted, July 2026 compared with June 2026

Notes:

1. Material manufactures presented in this chart exclude silver, platinum, and palladium bullion bars as these are components of precious metals. Trade in precious metals can be large and highly volatile, distorting underlying trends in trade in goods.
2. Figures may not sum because of rounding.

Early estimates suggest that imports of services increased by £0.2 billion (0.7%) in value terms in July 2026, when compared with June 2026. Exports of services are estimated to have increased by £0.3 billion (0.5%) (Figure 5). There was little difference between trade in services trends in both value and inflation-adjusted terms.

Monthly figures for trade in services for July 2026 are estimated from forecast Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2026 data, using time series and additional data sources. Early estimates of trade in services are revised in line with our National Accounts Revisions Policy. More detail on how our trade in services statistics are compiled is in our UK trade quality and methods guide.

According to the S&P Global UK Services Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for July 2026 (132 KB), there was a general improvement in market conditions and increased volumes of new work during July 2026. However, business uncertainties linked to the Middle East conflict was cited as an ongoing challenge and more export growth was reported in Europe, compared with other markets.

Figure 5: Exports and imports of services rose in both value and inflation-adjusted terms in July 2026

Imports and exports of services, current prices and chained volume measures, seasonally adjusted, July 2023 to July 2026

Notes:

1. Monthly figures for trade in services for July 2026 are estimated from forecast Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2026 data, using time series and additional data sources. Early estimates of trade in services are revised in line with our National Accounts Revisions Policy.

Total imports of goods increased by £4.3 billion (2.7%) in the three months to July 2026, compared with the three months to April 2026. The increase was primarily because goods imports from non-EU countries rose by £3.5 billion (4.7%), while goods imports from the EU rose by £0.8 billion (0.9%).

Total exports of goods increased by £4.7 billion (4.8%) in the three months to July 2026. This rise was because goods exports to non-EU countries increased by £3.4 billion (6.9%) and goods exports to the EU rose by £1.4 billion (2.8%).

For trade in services in the three months to July 2026, International Trade in Services (ITIS) survey figures are forecast using time series data. This forecast is combined with additional data sources to estimate trade in services totals. This forecast will be revised using ITIS survey data in our GDP quarterly national accounts, UK: April to June 2026 bulletin.

Early estimates indicate that imports of services increased by around £0.7 billion (0.8%) in the three months to July 2026, compared with the three months to April 2026, while exports of services rose by an estimated £1.4 billion (1.0%).

The total goods and services trade deficit, excluding precious metals, narrowed by £1.1 billion to £9.0 billion in the three months to July 2026, compared with the three months to April 2026 (Figure 6). Imports rose by £5.0 billion and exports rose by £6.1 billion over this period. When removing the effect of inflation, the total trade deficit (excluding precious metals) narrowed by £1.4 billion to £17.4 billion.

The trade in goods deficit in value terms (excluding precious metals) narrowed by £0.4 billion to £61.6 billion in the three months to July 2026, compared with the three months to April 2026. This is because goods exports increased by more than imports. The trade in services surplus was estimated to have widened by £0.7 billion to £52.6 billion, as exports of services increased by more than imports.

Explore the 2025 trade in goods data using our interactive tools. Our data break down UK trade in goods with 236 countries by 122 commodities.

Use our map to get a better understanding of what goods the UK traded with a country. Select a country by hovering over it (desktop only) or use the drop-down menu.

Notes:

1. For more information about our methods and how we compile these statistics, see our Trade in goods, country-by-commodity experimental data: 2011 to 2016 article. Users should note that the data published alongside this release are official statistics and no longer in development.

2. These data are our best estimate of these bilateral UK trade flows. Users should note that alternative estimates are available, in some cases, through the statistical agencies for bilateral countries or through central databases, such as United Nations (UN) Comtrade.

3. This interactive map denotes country boundaries in accordance with statistical classifications set out in Appendix A4 of the Balance of Payments (BoP) Vademecum (PDF, 1.6MB) and do not represent the UK policy on disputed territories.

You can also explore the 2025 trade in goods data by commodity, such as car exports to the EU, and UK tea or coffee imports.

Select a commodity from the drop-down menu or select the levels with your digit or cursor to explore the data.

Notes:

1. For more information about our methods and how we compile these statistics, see our Trade in goods, country-by-commodity experimental data: 2011 to 2016 article. Users should note that the data published alongside this release are official statistics and no longer in development.
2. These data are our best estimate of these bilateral UK trade flows. Users should note that alternative estimates are available, in some cases, through the statistical agencies for bilateral countries or through central databases, such as United Nations (UN) Comtrade.
3. These interactive charts denote country boundaries in accordance with statistical classifications set out within Appendix A4 of the Balance of Payments (BoP) Vademecum (PDF, 1.6MB) and does not represent the UK policy on disputed territories.

In accordance with our National Accounts Revisions Policy, the data in this release have not been revised and only include new data for July 2026.

Upcoming changes to structure of datasets

As part of our continual process of maintaining and improving quality, we have reviewed our published UK trade datasets and series. We would like to notify users of some intended changes to the structure of our published datasets from October 2026.

We welcome feedback on these proposals and any potential impact they may have on your use of these statistics. Please contact trade@ons.gov.uk by 2 October 2026 if you would like to share your views or if you require further information.

Improvements to the allocation of precious metals

As a result of improvements to the allocation of precious metals in the upcoming Blue Book 2026, we will be reallocating silver, platinum and palladium bullion from the “material manufactures” commodity group to the “unspecified goods” commodity group.

To improve clarity for our users, we will be providing lower-level breakdowns of the “unspecified goods” commodity group in our Trade in goods: country-by-commodity exports dataset and our Trade in goods: country-by-commodity imports dataset. These breakdowns are:

• “9PM Precious metals”
• “9PMG Precious metals gold”
• “9PMO Precious metals other”
• “9UG Miscellaneous unspecified goods”

“9PMG Precious metals gold” will include non-monetary gold, which is the technical term for gold bullion not owned by central banks. “9PMO Precious metals other” will include silver, platinum and palladium bullion. “9UG Miscellaneous unspecified goods” will include a range of commodities such as parcel post and coins.

As a result of this reallocation, there is no longer a need to provide additional breakdowns of the “material manufactures” commodity group excluding precious metals. Therefore, we will remove “Table 4: Monthly exports excluding precious metals” from our country-by-commodity exports dataset and “Table 4: Monthly imports excluding precious metals” from our country-by-commodity imports dataset. We will also no longer be publishing the breakdown Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) 6 Material manufactures, excluding precious metals in our UK trade: goods and services publication tables.

UK trade publication tables

Following a review of our UK trade: goods and services publication tables, we are proposing to remove some data tables to reduce duplication of data that are available in other datasets.

We will be removing “Table 19: Top 50 countries” and “Table 20: Top 30 commodities” as these data are available in our Trade in goods: country-by-commodity exports dataset and Trade in goods: country-by-commodity imports dataset.

We will be removing “Table 18: UK trade in oil” and “Table 21: Exchange rates”. However, the data series BOQM, BPBN, BQBH, BQAX, BK67, THAP, AJFP, AJFB, AJFK, AJFU, AJFO, AJFV, AJFJ, AJFW, AJFI, AJFD, and AUSS will remain available in our UK trade time series.

We are also proposing to reduce the content of several tables where figures can otherwise be calculated. We plan to remove “Table B (value change)” and “Table C (percentage change)” from Tables 1 to 15. We also plan to remove “Table A (annual revisions)” and “Table B (quarterly revisions)” from “Table 16: Revisions CP” and “Table 17: Revisions CVM”.

Removal of European Monetary Union series

Following a review of our datasets, we are proposing to no longer publish the data series for European Monetary Union (EMU) member countries in our future releases, starting October 2026. The data series N3C4, N3C5 and N3C6 would be removed from our UK trade: goods and services publication tables and our UK trade time series.

Historical EMU data would remain available in previously published datasets.

Chained volume measures

Chained volume measures (CVMs) are a “real” measure in that they have had the effect of inflation removed to measure the change in volume between consecutive periods, fixing the prices of goods and services in one period (known as the base year, which is 2023 for trade).

Current price measures

Current price estimates (CPs) measure the actual price paid for goods or services and are not adjusted for inflation. Unless otherwise stated, all current price data are provided in £ million and are seasonally adjusted.

Inflation

Inflation is the change in the average price level of goods and services over a period of time.

Implied deflators

An implied deflator (IDEF) shows the implied change in average prices for the respective components of the trade balance, for example, the IDEF for imports will show the average price movement for imports.

Precious metals and non-monetary gold

Precious metals include non-monetary gold, silver bullion, platinum bullion, and palladium bullion. Non-monetary gold forms the majority of the commodity group “unspecified goods” and is the technical term for gold bullion not owned by central banks. Silver, platinum, and palladium bullion form part of the “material manufactures” commodity group. This change is part of our Methods improvements for Blue Book and Pink Book 2025.

Trade balance

The trade balance is the difference between exports and imports or exports minus imports. When the value of exports is greater than the value of imports, the trade balance is in surplus. When the value of imports is greater than the value of exports, the trade balance is in deficit. The balance is sometimes referred to as “net exports”.

A full Glossary of economic terms is available.

The UK leaving the EU and the subsequent transition period, along with the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, supply chain disruption and global recession, have caused higher levels of volatility in trade statistics in recent years. The monthly analysis shows short-term trade movements, but it is important to note that monthly data can be erratic and therefore may not be indicative of longer-term trends.

Data collection changes

Since the UK left the EU on 31 January 2020, the arrangements for how the UK trades with the EU changed.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) implemented some data collection changes following Brexit, which affected statistics on UK trade in goods with the EU. We have made adjustments to our estimates of goods imports from the EU in 2021 and 2022 to account for these changes, however, a structural break remains in the full time series for goods imports from and exports to the EU from January 2021.

We therefore advise caution when interpreting and drawing conclusions from these statistics. Our Impact of trade in goods data collection changes on UK trade statistics: summary of adjustments and the structural break from 2021 article provides more detail.

Data sources

Data from HMRC make up over 90% of trade in goods value and are the main source for this release. Data from the quarterly International Trade in Services (ITIS) survey make up over 50% of trade in services data. Data from the International Passenger Survey (IPS) are the main source for travel services, historically making up around 8% of total imports. More information is available in our UK trade quality and methods guide.

From September 2025 until early 2027, ITIS data will be processed once each quarter. During this period, the data will be based on a robust survey response rate of between approximately 60% and 70%. This will enable more focus on improving processing systems and ensuring methods and quality in the future. This means that ITIS-based trade in services estimates at first quarterly estimate will be forecast until early 2027.

The IPS is being transformed as part of our Improving travel and tourism statistics project, and travel estimates have been forecast since Quarter 3 (July to Sept) 2024. Estimates will be forecast during the period of the travel and tourism transformation.

Unless otherwise specified, data within this bulletin are in current prices and have not been adjusted to remove the effects of inflation. In line with international standards, our headline trade statistics contain the UK's exports and imports of non-monetary gold. More information can be found in our National Accounts article: A brief explanation of non-monetary gold in national accounts.

Method

Trade is measured through both exports and imports of goods and services. Data are supplied by over 30 sources, including several administrative sources, with HMRC being the largest for trade in goods.

Our UK trade figures are produced using country of dispatch, which records imports as coming from the country dispatching the shipments. However, trade figures can also be produced using country of origin, as is used by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). Users should be aware of the different accounting methods used and the resulting differences across trade figures.

Monthly trade in services data are taken from quarterly trade in services data and are split across the months within that quarter through estimation. In months where we have a full quarter's data, we revise previous estimates of monthly values within that quarter.

View more detailed information about the methods used to produce UK trade statistics in our UK trade quality and methods guide.

Allocation of precious metals

Our headline trade statistics contain the UK's exports and imports of non-monetary gold, in line with international standards. More information is available in our National Accounts article: A brief explanation of non-monetary gold in national accounts.

As part of our Methods improvements for Blue Book and Pink Book 2025, we have implemented improvements to the way we record trade in precious metals in this release. We have removed the double counting of some precious metals bars and included previously under-recorded non-monetary gold that is not in bar form.

Precious metals include non-monetary gold, silver bullion, platinum bullion, and palladium bullion. Non-monetary gold forms the majority of the commodity group “unspecified goods” and is the technical term for gold bullion not owned by central banks. Silver, platinum, and palladium bullion form part of the “material manufactures” commodity group.

We are continuing to review our methodology for the allocation of precious metals, to ensure that we capture all trade of non-ferrous metals where these commodities are traded as a financial asset.

Consultation on Office for National Statistics release times

We are reviewing the release times for our market sensitive economic statistics, such as UK trade. This review will consider whether the current arrangements continue to best serve the public good, support user needs and align with the principles set out in the Code of Practice for Statistics.

We are running a consultation to gather evidence on the impact of different release times. The consultation asks how you use market sensitive economic statistics, your views on potential release time options, and any other considerations we should consider. Please note that this consultation will be closing on Friday 30 October 2026.

Strengths and limitations

National Statistics designation status

The UK Statistics Authority suspended the National Statistics designation of UK trade (PDF, 72.9KB) on 14 November 2014. We have responded to all of the specific requirements of the Office for Statistics Regulation's (OSR’s) reassessment of UK trade. As part of our engagement with the OSR team, we are sharing our continuous improvement and development plans to support UK trade statistics regaining accredited official statistics status. Email us at trade@ons.gov.uk to give feedback on our new trade statistics, developments and future plans.

Trade asymmetries

Asymmetries can be caused by a range of conceptual and measurement variations between the estimation practices of different countries. Statistical agencies are likely to have different source data, estimation methods, and methodological, geographical and definitional differences. HMRC publishes more information on UK trade asymmetries. We publish analysis on trade in services asymmetries in our Asymmetries in trade data articles.

More quality and methodology information on strengths, limitations, appropriate uses, and how the data were created is available in our UK trade quality and methods guide.