Top United Arab Emirates Imports 2018
In 2018, UAE bought US$261.5 billion worth of imported products down by -12.4% since 2014 and down by -4.5% from 2017 to 2018.
Top 10 UAE Imports from China
China's exports to UAE amounted to
$48.2 billion or 17.9% of its overall imports.
1. Electronic equipment: $25.3 billion
2. Machinery: $8.5 billion
3. Iron or steel products: $1 billion
4. Toys, games: $919.9 million
5. Furniture, lighting, signs: $915.7 million
6. Knit or crochet clothing: $901.2 million
7. Footwear: $881.8 million
8. Clothing (not knit or crochet): $878.4 million
9. Iron and steel: $771 million
10. Plastics: $720 million
Top 10 UAE Imports from America
America's exports to UAE amounted to
$23.3 billion or 8.6% of its overall imports.
1. Machinery: $7.1 billion
2. Aircraft, spacecraft: $4.5 billion
3. Vehicles: $2.6 billion
4. Electronic equipment: $1.5 billion
5. Gems, precious metals: $1.4 billion
6. Medical, technical equipment: $921.6 million
7. Pharmaceuticals: $704.5 million
8. Fruits, nuts: $422.8 million
9. Perfumes, cosmetics: $395.2 million
10. Plastics: $390.9 million
Top 10 UAE Imports from India
India's exports to UAE amounted to
$20.2 billion or 7.5% of its overall imports.
1. Gems, precious metals: $10.2 billion
2. Mineral fuels including oil: $1 billion
3. Iron and steel: $705 million
4. Machinery: $674.7 million
5. Electronic equipment: $606.7 million
6. Cereals: $592.6 million
7. Knit or crochet clothing: $546.2 million
8. Vehicles: $484.3 million
9. Iron or steel products: $431 million
10. Clothing (not knit or crochet): $419.3 million
Top 10 UAE Imports from Japan
Japan's exports to UAE amounted to
$14 billion or 5.2% of its overall imports.
1. Vehicles: $9.3 billion
2. Machinery: $1.7 billion
3. Electronic equipment: $857 million
4. Rubber: $408.6 million
5. Iron or steel products: $371.3 million
6. Medical, technical equipment: $240.4 million
7. Photo/cinematographic goods: $172.3 million
8. Iron and steel: $154.1 million
9. Plastics: $81.3 million
10. Man-made filaments: $71.8 million
Top 10 UAE Imports from Germany
Germany's exports to UAE amounted to
$11.9 billion or 4.4% of its overall imports.
1. Aircraft, spacecraft: $2.8 billion
2. Vehicles: $2.1 billion
3. Machinery: $1.8 billion
4. Electronic equipment: $1 billion
5. Pharmaceuticals: $620.4 million
6. Medical, technical equipment: $448.9 million
7. Plastics: $348.4 million
8. Iron or steel products: $232 million
9. Perfumes, cosmetics: $225.9 million
10. Other chemical goods: $222.8 million
Top 10 UAE Imports from Vietnam
Vietnam's exports to UAE amounted to
$9.8 billion or 3.6% of its overall imports.
1. Electronic equipment: $7.9 billion
2. Machinery: $461.6 million
3. Footwear: $368 million
4. Knit or crochet clothing: $137.2 million
5. Ships, boats: $117.4 million
6. Clothing (not knit or crochet): $95.6 million
7. Leather, animal gut articles: $75.3 million
8. Coffee, tea, spices: $70 million
9. Fruits, nuts: $58.3 million
10. Furniture, lighting, signs: $52.3 million
Top 10 UAE Imports from South Korea
South Korea's exports to UAE amounted to
$8 billion or 3% of its overall imports.
1. Vehicles: $2.1 billion
2. Electronic equipment: $1.7 billion
3. Machinery: $1.4 billion
4. Tobacco: $707.6 million
5. Ships, boats: $344.5 million
6. Iron or steel products: $326.7 million
7. Iron and steel: $205.3 million
8. Plastics: $147.8 million
9. Mineral fuels including oil: $147.6 million
10. Rubber: $132.6 million
Top 10 UAE Imports from Turkey
Turkey's exports to UAE amounted to
$7.6 billion or 2.8% of its overall imports.
1. Gems, precious metals: $5.6 billion
2. Iron and steel: $182.1 million
3. Electronic equipment: $172.5 million
4. Knit or crochet clothing: $157.7 million
5. Machinery: $156.9 million
6. Vehicles: $110 million
7. Clothing (not knit or crochet): $108.7 million
8. Mineral fuels including oil: $88.9 million
9. Iron or steel products: $76.6 million
10. Furniture, lighting, signs: $71.8 million
Top 10 UAE Imports from Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's exports to UAE amounted to
$6.9 billion or 2.6% of its overall imports.
1. Mineral fuels including oil: $2.3 billion
2. Plastics: $990.8 million
3. Gems, precious metals: $497.2 million
4. Dairy, eggs, honey: $385.1 million
5. Organic chemicals: $312.9 million
6. Electronic equipment: $310.4 million
7. Soaps, lubricants, candles: $259.8 million
8. Iron and steel: $168.9 million
9. Cereal, milk preparations:$158.3 million
10. Aluminum: $116.2 million
Top 10 UAE Imports from Italy
Italy's exports to UAE amounted to
$6.8 billion or 2.5% of its overall imports.
1. Machinery: $1.6 billion
2. Gems, precious metals: $598.7 million
3. Electronic equipment: $556.7 million
4. Vehicles: $352.6 million
5. Furniture, lighting, signs: $331.4 million
6. Footwear: $316.7 million
7. Perfumes, cosmetics: $310 million
8. Iron or steel products: $283.3 million
9. Leather, animal gut articles: $263.1 million
10. Pharmaceuticals: $216.9 million
Top 10 UAE Imports from United Kingdom
United Kingdom's exports to UAE amounted to
$6.8 billion or 2.5% of its overall imports.
1. Machinery: $1.4 billion
2. Vehicles: $1 billion
3. Gems, precious metals: $859.8 million
4. Electronic equipment: $754.1 million
5. Iron or steel products: $350.8 million
6. Pharmaceuticals: $263.2 million
7. Perfumes, cosmetics: $256.8 million
8. Medical, technical equipment: $248 million
9. Beverages: $235.5 million
10. Aircraft, spacecraft: $212.9 million
Fastest-Growing UAE Imports
Research Note:
Import numbers rarely match the source exporters’ stats due to reporting anomalies such as currency translations and delays.
Data source: Trade Map, International Trade Centre, www.intracen.org/marketanalysis
