UK trade: June 2026

• The value of goods imports fell by £0.4 billion (0.7%) in June 2026, with decreases in imports from both EU and non-EU countries.

• The value of goods exports fell by £2.2 billion (6.3%) in June 2026, with decreases in exports to both EU and non-EU countries.

• The total goods and services trade deficit widened by £0.3 billion to a deficit of £8.0 billion in Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2026, compared with the previous quarter.

• The trade in goods deficit widened by £1.2 billion to £60.7 billion in Quarter 2 2026, while the trade in services surplus was estimated to have widened by around £0.9 billion to £52.7 billion.

Total imports of goods in "current prices" decreased by £0.4 billion (0.7%) in June 2026, when compared with May 2026. This decrease was because of a £0.3 billion (1.0%) fall in imports from non-EU countries, and a £0.1 billion (0.3%) 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 12: Glossary.

Total exports of goods decreased by £2.2 billion (6.3%) in June 2026. This decrease was primarily because of a £1.3 billion (7.4%) fall in exports to the EU and a £1.0 billion (5.4%) decrease in exports to non-EU countries.

Imports from the EU were £2.8 billion higher than from non-EU countries in June 2026, while exports to the EU were £1.2 billion lower than to exports to non-EU countries.

Figure 1: Exports to both EU and non-EU countries fell in June 2026

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

Notes:

1. Figures may not sum because of rounding.

After removing the effect of inflation by calculating chained volume measures (as explained in Section 12: Glossary), total goods imports increased by £0.6 billion (1.1%) in June 2026 (Figure 2). This was because of a £0.8 billion (3.3%) rise in imports from non-EU countries, which was partially offset by a £0.2 billion (0.8%) fall in imports from the EU.

Total goods exports decreased by £1.5 billion (4.7%) in June 2026, after the effect of inflation was removed. This was because exports to the EU fell by £0.9 billion (5.6%) and exports to non-EU countries fell by £0.7 billion (3.8%).

Figure 2: Exports to both EU and non-EU countries fell in both value and inflation-adjusted terms in June 2026

Imports and exports of goods, excluding precious metals, current prices and chained volume measures, seasonally adjusted, EU and non-EU, June 2023 to June 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 13: Data sources and quality.

Goods imports

Imports from the EU decreased by £0.1 billion (0.3%) in June 2026, when compared with May 2026. This was because of a fall of £0.2 billion in fuel imports and falls of £0.1 billion in imports of chemicals and miscellaneous manufactures (Figure 3). These decreases were partially offset by a £0.2 billion rise in imports of machinery and transport equipment. The fall in fuel imports was because of lower imports of refined oil from Belgium and Sweden. The rise in imports of machinery and transport equipment was because of a rise in car imports from Germany.

Imports from non-EU countries decreased by £0.3 billion (1.0%) in June 2026. This was because of a £0.2 billion fall in fuel imports, and falls of £0.1 billion in imports of:

• crude materials

• material manufactures (excluding precious metals)

• food and live animals

These decreases were partially offset by a £0.3 billion rise in imports of machinery and transport equipment. The fall in fuel imports was because of lower imports of refined oil from the United States, likely because of a fall in oil prices in June, following the United States-Iran agreement to extend their ceasefire, which was announced on 17 June. The rise in imports of machinery and transport equipment was linked to an increase in imports of office machinery (capital) from Mexico.

Figure 3: Imports of fuels fell from both EU and non-EU countries in June 2026, while imports of machinery and transport equipment rose

Changes in EU and non-EU goods imports by commodity group, excluding unspecified goods, current prices, seasonally adjusted, June 2026 compared with May 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 decreased by £1.3 billion (7.4%) in June 2026, when compared with May 2026. This was because of £0.3 billion falls in fuel and chemical exports and £0.2 billion falls in exports of machinery and transport equipment and material manufactures (excluding precious metals) (Figure 4). There were small decreases in exports of all other commodities in June 2026. The fall in fuel exports was because of lower exports of crude oil to Germany and Poland. The fall in chemical exports was mainly because of a decrease in medicinal and pharmaceutical exports to Germany.

Exports to non-EU countries decreased by £1.0 billion (5.4%) in June 2026. This was mainly because of a £0.7 billion fall in exports of machinery and transport equipment. There were small decreases in exports of most other commodities in June 2026. The fall in exports of machinery and transport equipment was linked to lower exports of cars to China and mechanical power generators (intermediate) to the United Arab Emirates.

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

Changes in EU and non-EU goods exports by commodity group, excluding unspecified goods, current prices, seasonally adjusted, June 2026 compared with May 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 £0.1 billion (0.4%) in value terms in June 2026, when compared with May 2026, while exports of services remained stable (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 June 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 June 2026 (131KB), export orders fell in June, with subdued demand from Europe offset by a more robust market in the United States. Business uncertainties caused by the Middle East conflict were commonly cited as a cause of softening demand.

Figure 5: Imports of services rose slightly in both value and inflation-adjusted terms in June 2026, while exports remained stable

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

Notes:

1. Monthly figures for trade in services for June 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 £6.7 billion (4.3%) in Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2026, compared with Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2026 (Table 2). The increase was because goods imports from the EU rose by £4.1 billion (5.0%) and goods imports from non-EU countries rose by £2.6 billion (3.6%).

Total exports of goods increased by £5.5 billion (5.7%) in the three months to June 2026. This rise was because goods exports to the EU increased by £2.5 billion (5.3%) and goods exports to non-EU countries rose by £3.0 billion (6.1%).

For trade in services for Quarter 2 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. Early estimates indicate that imports of services increased by around £0.6 billion (0.7%) and exports of services rose by an estimated £1.5 billion (1.0%) in Quarter 2 2026, compared with Quarter 1 2026.

Imports of goods from the EU increased by £4.1 billion (5.0%) in Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2026 compared with Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2026. This increase was mainly because of a £2.1 billion rise in fuel imports and a £1.1 billion rise in imports of machinery and transport equipment (Figure 6). There was also a £0.6 billion rise in chemical imports, and a £0.2 billion rise in imports of material manufactures (excluding precious metals). The rise in fuel imports was primarily because of increased imports of refined oil from the Netherlands. The rise in imports of machinery and transport equipment was mainly the result of increased import of aircraft from Germany.

Imports from non-EU countries increased by £2.6 billion (3.6%) in Quarter 2 2026, primarily because of a £3.6 billion rise in fuel imports. This rise was partially offset by a £0.5 billion fall in imports of machinery and transport equipment and falls of £0.3 billion in imports for material manufactures (excluding precious metals), and food and live animals. The rise in fuel imports was because of an increase in imports of refined oil from the United States, and an increased in crude oil from Norway and the United States. The fall in imports of machinery and transport equipment was because of a decrease in imports of aircraft and mechanical power generators (intermediate) from the United States.

Exports to the EU increased by £2.5 billion (5.3%) in Quarter 2 2026, mainly because of a £2.0 billion rise in fuel exports. There was also a £0.3 billion rise in exports of machinery and transport equipment, and a £0.2 billion rise in chemical exports. The increase in fuel exports was because of a rise in exports of crude oil to the Netherlands and Sweden and a rise in exports of gas to Belgium and the Netherlands.

Exports to non-EU countries increased by £3.0 billion (6.1%) in Quarter 2 2026, mainly because of a £1.2 billion rise in exports of machinery and transport equipment. There was also a £0.6 billion rise in chemical imports, and rises of £0.3 billion in exports of:

• crude materials

• material manufactures (excluding precious metals)

• miscellaneous manufactures

The rise in exports of machinery and transport equipment was linked to an increase in exports of aircraft to Germany and France.

There have been large increases in imports and exports of fuels in Quarter 2 2026; this was linked to rising oil prices resulting from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has disrupted fuel supply moving through the Strait of Hormuz.

Figure 6: Fuel imports from and exports to both EU and non-EU countries increased in Quarter 2 2026

Changes in imports and exports of goods by commodity group, excluding unspecified goods, current prices, seasonally adjusted, Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2026 compared with Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2026

Early estimates indicate that imports of services increased by £0.6 billion (0.7%) in Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2026, compared with Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2026. This increase was mainly because of a £0.6 billion rise in transport services imports. There was also a £0.3 billion rise in imports of intellectual property services, and a £0.2 billion rise in imports of personal, cultural and recreational services (Figure 7). These increases were partially offset by falls of £0.2 billion in imports of both telecoms, computer and information services, and travel services.

Exports of services increased by £1.5 billion (1.0%) in Quarter 2 2026, mainly because of £0.5 billion rises in exports of both other business services and travel services. There was also a £0.4 billion rise in exports of transport services and a £0.3 billion rise in financial services exports. These rises were partially offset by a £0.5 billion fall in exports of intellectual property services.

For trade in services for Quarter 2 2026, figures are based on forecast data that include forecast International Trade in Services (ITIS) data. This estimate will be updated in our GDP quarterly national accounts, UK: April to June 2026 bulletin, using ITIS survey data returns and updated source data. More detail on data sources for trade in services is provided in Section 13: Data sources and quality.

The total goods and services trade deficit, excluding precious metals, widened by £0.3 billion to £8.0 billion in Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2026, compared with Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2026 (Figure 8). Imports rose by £7.3 billion and exports rose by £6.9 billion over this period. When removing the effect of inflation, the total trade deficit, excluding precious metals, narrowed by £0.6 billion to £16.4 billion.

The trade in goods deficit in value terms, excluding precious metals, widened by £1.2 billion to £60.7 billion in Quarter 2 2026, compared with Quarter 1 2026. This is because goods imports increased by more than exports. The trade in services surplus was estimated to have widened by £0.9 billion to £52.7 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 been revised from April 2026 to May 2026 for both goods and services.

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.

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.