[Introduction]Foreign Trade Information Weekly Report on September 12, 2026: In the first eight months, the country's imports and exports were 34.77 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 17.6%; exports in August increased by 25% year-on-year, and the AI chain supported export resilience; the U.S. tax reduction list to China was announced on September 24 that about US$30 billion of goods received tariff exemptions;Shopee 9.9 promoted a big start, and cross-border sales rose 8 times year-on-year.
1. Quick view of core data
In the first eight months, the country's import and export was 34.77 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 17.6%
according toGeneral Administration of Customs of ChinaData, the country's total import and export value in the first eight months of 2026 was 34.77 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 17.6%. Among them, exports were 20.5 trillion yuan, an increase of 19.8%; imports were 14.27 trillion yuan, an increase of 14.5%; and the trade surplus was 6.23 trillion yuan, an increase of 32.1%.
Exports increased by 25% year-on-year in August
In August, exports increased by 25% year-on-year, and exports of AI chain-related products continued to grow at a high rate, becoming the core driving force supporting export resilience. Imports in August were US$282.36 billion, a year-on-year increase of 28.2%; the trade surplus was US$119.09 billion, with a previous value of US$112.34 billion.
Jiangsu's imports and exports in the first eight months were 4.87 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 27.5%
The total import and export value of Jiangsu Province in the first eight months was 4.87 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 27.5%. The growth rate was higher than the national average, and the proportion of imports and exports of private enterprises continued to increase.
2. Tariff and Policy Developments
1. The US tax reduction list on China was announced on September 24
On September 10, it was reported that the United States will grant tariff exemptions and exemptions to approximately US$30 billion (approximately RMB 200 billion) of China goods exported to the United States, and China will treat U.S. goods exported to China on a reciprocal basis. This is a clear time point for Sino-US trade negotiations, and relevant export companies can focus on the contents of the list.
2. The United States imposes a 10%-100% tariff on drones
Starting from September 3, the United States will impose a Section 232 tariff on imported drones and parts, which will be superimposed on the original 301 tariff on China, doubling the comprehensive tax burden on complete machines originating in China. The Ministry of Commerce simultaneously announced the strengthening of export controls of dual-use items related to drones to the United States. Drone exporting companies need to adjust their market layout in a timely manner.
3. The US-Canada trade war escalates and increases again on September 15
Starting from September 8, a 15%-50% tariff will be imposed on goods originating in the United States (up to 50% for steel and aluminum); starting from September 15, a 50% tariff will be imposed on mattresses, motorboats, golf carts, etc. Goods directly exported from China to Canada will not be directly affected by this tariff, but goods re-exported from Canada through the United States must pay attention to rules of origin.
4. The draft European Product Law of the European Union was released on October 6
The aim is to plug law enforcement loopholes and severely crack down on illegal and low-cost imported goods flowing into the EU through e-commerce platforms. The regulatory focus is on China cross-border platforms such as Temu and Shein. The EU's trade deficit with China may be as high as 1 billion euros a day. Cross-border e-commerce sellers need to make compliance arrangements in advance.
3. Cross-border e-commerce dynamics
1. Shopee 9.9 promotes a good start
In the 99-minute opening of the Shopee 9.9 promotion, overall cross-border sales surged 8 times year-on-year;"Zosda" products increased 13 times; and sales of newly settled sellers surged 16 times. Consumption vitality in the Southeast Asian market continues to be released, and the entry window for new sellers is still open.
2. QHG 0Q Cross-border exports doubled
In the first eight months, the export volume of Yiwu Express Cross-Border Supervision Center reached US$450 million, double the total amount for the whole year of last year; nearly 10,000 packages per day flew to more than 30 countries around the world. Yiwu small commodity exports are highly resilient, and the proportion of cross-border e-commerce channels continues to increase.
3. US holiday season outlook
In November and December 2026, holiday retail sales in the United States are expected to reach US$1 trillion, a year-on-year increase of 4.5%; online retail sales are expected to grow by 9%. Companies exporting to the United States can stock up in advance to seize the peak sales season during the holiday season.
4. Logistics and shipping
Weekly month-on-week freight rates on major routes:
- South America West route: +16.3%(largest increase)
- Ningbo Export Index: +3.2%
- Asia → United States West: +1.0%
- Asia → Northern Europe: -4.1%(slight decrease)
Key freight rate data:
- Ningbo Export Container Freight Index: 2423.1 points
- Asia → West 40-foot cabinet: approximately US$6,361
- Asia → Nordic 40-foot cabinet: approximately US$4,059
Freight rates on the West South American route have increased significantly, and companies exporting to the South American market need to pay attention to changes in logistics costs; freight rates on the Asia → Nordic route have dropped slightly, and companies exporting to Europe can take the opportunity to lock in shipping spaces.
5. International trends and industry trends
1. BRICS Business Forum 2026 held in New Delhi
Held in New Delhi on September 11, focusing on supply chain resilience, agricultural products and agricultural technology innovation, service trade and the digital economy. Trade cooperation among BRICS countries continues to deepen, and export opportunities in emerging markets increase.
2. CIFTIS accelerates the "credit and trade chain"
The export business from Xiamen Port to Singapore Port relies on the "credit and trade chain" to realize the electronic circulation of more than 20 types of documents, and the collection period has been shortened from more than 20 days to 5 days. The application of blockchain technology in the field of foreign trade documents has accelerated, and the efficiency of corporate capital turnover has been greatly improved.
3. Shenzhen's import and export hit record high
In the first seven months, Shenzhen's cumulative import and export volume was 3.42 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 32.8%; private enterprises accounted for 73.7%, an increase of 40.4%. Shenzhen's foreign trade performance is outstanding, with private enterprises becoming the main force of growth.
4. Linyi Industrial Belt Digital Trade Platform "Laiyitong" Launched 41.5 Billion Yuan a Year
The business scale of the "Laiyitong" Mini programs exceeded 41.5 billion yuan in one year after being launched, serving 30+ industrial belts across the country, and covering 208 countries in foreign trade. The digital transformation of the industrial belt is accelerating, and small and medium-sized factories have diversified foreign trade customer acquisition channels.
6. Summary of this week's key points
- Exports continue to grow at a high level: Exports increased by 25% year-on-year in August. AI chain products were the core driving force. Imports and exports in the first eight months were 34.77 trillion yuan, increasing by 17.6%.
- Clear tariff nodes: The U.S. tax reduction list on China was announced on September 24. About US$30 billion of goods have been exempted and exempted, and enterprises can focus on it.
- Cross-border e-commerce is booming: Shopee 9.9 promotion sales increased 8 times year-on-year, Yiwu cross-border exports doubled, and there are many opportunities in Southeast Asia and emerging markets.
- Logistics cost differentiation: Freight rates on West South America routes increased by 16.3%, while Nordic routes dropped slightly. Companies need to reasonably plan logistics based on destinations.
- Digital acceleration: The "Credit and Trade Chain" has shortened the payment cycle from 20 days to 5 days. The digital trade platform in the industrial belt has developed rapidly, and the digitalization of foreign trade is the general trend.
Data sources: General Administration of Customs of China, Nanjing Customs, Shenzhen Customs, Ministry of Commerce, USTR, Xinhuanet, CCTV, Sina Finance, Ningbo Shipping Exchange, OneMarket, Datu Cross-Border and other public channels.
Note: This briefing is based on public information on September 12, 2026. The tariff policy is subject to the final official announcement; the freight rate data is a month-on-week reference value.
