HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) collects the UK’s international trade in goods data for Non-EU and EU trade with the UK. These are published on a monthly basis and figures for December 2020 have recently been released. (12 February 2021).
UK overseas trade in goods statistics: December 2020
A summary document is available at:
UK Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics Commentary: December 2020
Summary
Total exports of goods for December 2020 were £28.2 billion.
Total imports of goods for December 2020 were £44.8 billion.
The UK was a net importer this month, with imports exceeding exports by £16.5 billion.
For EU trade the UK was a net importer this month, with imports exceeding exports by £9.5 billion.
For Non-EU trade the UK was a net importer this month, with imports exceeding exports by £7.1 billion.
Imports to the UK
EU Imports for December 2020 were £22.5 billion.
Non-EU Imports for December 2020 were £22.3 billion.
Germany accounted for 12.3% (£5.5bn) of the total value of imports to the UK. China had the second largest proportion of the total value of trade, accounting for 11.8% (£5.3bn) followed by the USA 7.8% (£3.5bn) then the Netherlands 7.6% (£3.4bn) and Belgium 5.4% (£2.4bn). The top five partner countries accounted for 44.9% of total UK import value this month.
Exports from the UK
EU Exports for December 2020 were £13.0 billion
Non-EU Exports for December 2020 were £15.2 billion.
The USA accounted for 14.1% (£4.0bn) per cent of the total value of goods exports from the UK. Germany had the second largest proportion accounting for 9.4% (£2.6bn) followed by the Irish Republic with 8.4% (£2.4bn), the Netherlands with 6.2% (£1.7bn) and France with 5.8% (£1.6bn). The top five export partners accounted for 43.9% of total exports in goods this month.
Data
Spreadsheets are available which show the figures in more detail.
UK overseas trade in goods statistics December 2020: import and export data
The following tables contain EU and Non-EU import and export data for December 2020.
UK overseas trade in goods statistics December 2020: imports
UK overseas trade in goods statistics December 2020: exports