This list reveals the top 10 yacht importers based on their percentage of global import purchases (shown within parenthesis). In 2015, world yacht imports totaled US$19.8 billion.
African Importers
Africa imported $208.4 million worth of yachts led by the following countries:
1. Algeria: $98.6 million
2. Angola: $17.9 million
3. Morocco: $17.6 million
4. Egypt: $16.1 million
5. South Africa: $13.6 million
6. Seychelles: $9.2 million
7. Kenya: $7.3 million
8. Nigeria: $5 million
9. Mauritius: $3.9 million
10. Senegal: $2.4 million
Asian Importers
Asia imported $796.7 million worth of yachts led by the following countries:
1. Hong Kong: $237.8 million
2. China: $136.5 million
3. Japan: $114.1 million
4. Singapore: $98 million
5. Thailand: $41.1 million
6. South Korea: $38.6 million
7. Vietnam: $31.5 million
8. Turkey: $30.7 million
9. Malaysia: $20.8 million
10. Maldives: $11.3 million
European Union Importers
Europe Union imported $8.6 billion worth of yachts led by the following EU members:
1. France: $6 billion
2. Malta: $831.8 million
3. United Kingdom: $444 million
4. Italy: $208.5 million
5. Germany: $181.9 million
6. Netherlands: $153.3 million
7. Spain: $150.5 million
8. Sweden: $120.1 million
9. Croatia: $115.9 million
10. Belgium: $95.4 million
Latin American and Caribbean Importers
Latin America (excluding Mexico) and the Caribbean imported $6 billion worth of yachts led by the following countries:
1. Cayman Islands: $4.2 billion
2. British Virgin Is: $1.4 billion
3. St Vincent/Grenadines: $135.9 million
4. Netherlands Antilles: $77.9 million
5. Brazil: $44.4 million
6. Chile: $17.4 million
7. St Kitts/Nevis: $16.7 million
8. Bahamas: $15.8 million
9. Panama: $10.7 million
10. Turks/Caicos Is: $9 million
Middle Eastern Importers
Middle East imported $269.6 million worth of yachts led by the following countries:
1. United Arab Emirates: $125.9 million
2. Qatar: $32.7 million
3. Saudi Arabia: $32.4 million
4. Kuwait: $31.1 million
5. Lebanon: $17.4 million
6. Bahrain: $12 million
7. Israel: $8.7 million
8. Oman: $4.3 million
9. Iraq: $3.2 million
10. Iran: $1.9 million
North American Importers
North America imported $2.4 billion worth of yachts led by the following countries:
1. United States: $1.9 billion
2. Canada: $552 million
3. Mexico: $15.1 million
Oceanian Importers
Oceania imported $509.8 million worth of yachts led by the following countries:
1. Australia: $250.9 million
2. Marshall Islands: $102 million
3. New Zealand: $90.1 million
4. French Polynesia: $30.8 million
5. New Caledonia: $13.3 million
6. Fiji: $10.3 million
7. Papua New Guinea: $3.5 million
8. Palau: $2.9 million
9. Cook Islands: $2.6 million
10. Vanuatu: $860,000
To see the fastest-growing yacht importers from 2011 to 2015, use the slidebar on the accompanying list. Overall, the 5-year percentage increase for globally imported yachts was up 74%.
Data source: Trade Map, International Trade Centre, www.intracen.org/marketanalysis
Fastest-Growing Yacht Import Countries
Research Note: Import numbers rarely match the source exporters’ stats. Reasons for import-export statistical discrepancies include re-exports, time lags, misallocations, distinct trade reporting systems, different quantity measurements and country confidentiality rules. Also, transportation and insurance costs are sometimes added to import totals.