Top 20 Products Imported from China to the USA

Managing a supply chain in 2025 felt like navigating a minefield. As we wrap up the first year of President Trump’s second term, his "America First" 2.0 trade agenda has fundamentally altered the math for US importers. With discussions of a universal baseline tariff and specific hikes targeting Chinese goods, businesses are no longer just looking at the price of goods. They are looking at the total landed cost, which now includes a heavy dose of regulatory risk and tariff uncertainty.​

Despite these hurdles, China remains the primary source for the world's most critical consumer and industrial goods. Whether you are a customs broker filing entries or an SMB trying to stock your warehouse, you need to know which products are moving and where the legal traps lie. This guide analyzes the top 20 imported products by value and category as of December 2025, providing the tactical data you need to keep your operations running without a hitch.​

Electrical Machinery and Consumer Electronics

Electrical machinery, categorized under HS Chapter 85, remains the heavy hitter in US-China trade. This category alone accounted for over $127 billion in imports in 2024, driven by a constant American demand for smartphones, laptops, and semiconductors. While many companies have tried to move production to Vietnam or India, the sophisticated infrastructure in China for high-end electronics is still unmatched.​

The compliance space here is brutal. Importers must deal with Section 301 tariffs that can add 25% to the cost of components like printed circuit boards. Furthermore, the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) has cast a wide net over the electronics sector. Customs officials are now using sophisticated data tools to trace the origin of silicon and other raw materials used in electronics back to prohibited regions.​

Practical Tip for Importers: You should double-check your HS classification for "smart" devices. Often, a device that has multiple functions can be classified in a way that avoids certain Section 301 hits, but only if you have the technical data to back it up.

Machinery and Mechanical Appliances

If you look at HS Chapter 84, you will find the engines of American industry. This category includes everything from laptops and data storage units to massive industrial pumps and cooling systems. The value for 2024 reached $85.13 billion, highlighting how much the US relies on China to keep its offices and factories running.​

This sector is a major target for Section 301 tariffs. Since President Trump's inauguration in January 2025, there has been a renewed focus on "reciprocal" trade, meaning if China taxes US machinery, the US is likely to match it or go higher. Many of the previous tariff exclusions have expired as of late 2025, so your landed cost may be significantly higher than it was two years ago.​

Compliance Consideration: Be wary of "part and accessory" classifications. It is a common mistake to classify a repair part under a generic code, only to find out that it carries a 25% duty that the main machine does not.

Furniture, Bedding, and Lighting Products

HS Chapter 94 covers the furniture and lighting sectors, which totaled nearly $21 billion in 2024. This category is a staple for US retailers and real estate developers. However, it is also one of the most targeted areas for Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties (AD/CVD).​

If you are importing wooden bedroom furniture or certain types of seating, you might face duties that exceed 100% of the product's value. US Customs is also looking closely at flammability standards and safety labeling for lighting products. If your LED fixtures do not have the proper UL or ETL certifications, you may find your shipment stuck in a bonded warehouse or rejected at the port.​

Toys, Games, and Sports Equipment

For many small businesses, HS Chapter 95 is the lifeblood of the holiday season. This category, which includes everything from action figures to home gym equipment, saw $32 billion in imports in 2024. China still produces the vast majority of the world's toys due to the specialized molding and assembly skills required.​

The biggest risk here is the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). You cannot just take the factory's word that a toy is safe. You must have a Children's Product Certificate (CPC) backed by testing from a lab that is accepted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). In 2025, the CPSC will increase its "e-filing" requirements, meaning your safety data must be submitted electronically before the goods arrive.​

Plastics and Plastic Articles

HS Chapter 39 includes raw polymers and finished articles like kitchenware and packaging. At $21.53 billion in 2024, it is a massive category. The challenge here is chemical composition. Your duty rate often depends on the specific weight of the polymers used in the product.​

Environmentally focused regulations are also becoming a trade barrier. Several US states have introduced bans on certain single-use plastics. While these are not federal customs laws, they can make your imported goods unsellable in large markets like California or New York. Always ensure your supplier provides a detailed Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) to help with HS classification.

Apparel and Clothing Accessories

Apparel is split into two main buckets: knit (HS 61) and non-knit/woven (HS 62). Combined, they are a powerhouse of Chinese imports. However, this sector is the "ground zero" for UFLPA enforcement. Because cotton from the Xinjiang region is prohibited, every single garment you import must have a clear paper trail showing exactly where the cotton was grown, spun, and woven.​

Footwear and Headgear

HS Chapter 64 (Footwear) is famous among customs brokers for its complexity. The duty rate can change based on whether the shoe is 51% rubber or 49% rubber. It can also change based on whether it is "athletic" or "casual." In 2024, footwear imports from China were over $10 billion.​

Classification errors in footwear are one of the leading causes of customs audits. If you are a high-volume importer, it is worth getting a "binding ruling" from CBP to confirm your HS code. This protects you from retroactive duty bills that can bankrupt a small company.

Iron, Steel, and Metal Products

HS Chapter 73 covers articles of iron and steel, such as pipes, tanks, and fasteners. These items are subject to a "double whammy" of tariffs: Section 301 duties and Section 232 national security duties.​

In August 2025, the Department of Homeland Security added steel as a high-priority sector for UFLPA enforcement. This means if your steel products have any inputs from prohibited regions, they can be seized. You should also be aware of AD/CVD orders on things like stainless steel sinks or steel nails, which can carry massive penalty rates.​

Vehicles, Auto Parts, and Components

Under HS Chapter 87, China exports billions of dollars in auto parts and electrical components to the US. While fully built cars from China face high tariffs, the repair and replacement part market is essential for American mechanics and DIYers.​

If you import auto parts, you must ensure they meet Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards. In 2025, there is a specific focus on EV (Electric Vehicle) components. The battery supply chain is under intense scrutiny to ensure it does not rely on forced labor or minerals from prohibited mines.

Optical, Medical, and Surgical Instruments

HS Chapter 90 covers high-precision instruments, including medical devices and optical lenses. This is a high-value, high-regulation category. Every medical device must be registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before it enters the country.​

Customs will flag any shipment that does not have an "Initial Importer" registration or a valid 510(k) clearance number. Labeling is also a common failure point. If your product does not have the correct "Country of Origin" marking or medical safety labels, it will be refused entry, and you will be responsible for the cost of destruction or re-export.

Best Practices for Importing from China to the USA

Success in 2026 requires more than just finding a good supplier. You need a robust compliance framework to protect your profit margins. Here is a practical checklist you can use to vet your operations:

• Map Your Supply Chain: You must know where your raw materials come from. Ask your supplier for "Certificate of Origin" documents for the yarn, metal, or plastic they use.

• Audit Your HS Codes: Do not rely on the factory to provide the correct HS code. They often use generic codes that may carry higher duties or lack proper PGA (Partner Government Agency) flags.

• Screen for UFLPA: Regularly check your suppliers and their sub-tier vendors against the UFLPA Entity List, which has grown to 144 entities as of late 2025.​

• Set Up a Customs Bond: Ensure you have a continuous bond in place. With increasing tariffs, the "single entry" bond is often more expensive and causes more delays.

• Prepare for Audits: Keep all your records, including proof of payment and shipping logs, for at least five years. CBP is increasing post-entry audits to find underpaid duties.

• Use Trade Technology: Leverage tools like Gaia Dynamics to automate your classification and identify if you have overpaid on previous shipments.

FAQ

What is the most common reason for import delays from China in 2025?
The most frequent cause of delays is now the UFLPA holds. Customs is using data to flag shipments that might have links to forced labor. If your shipment is flagged, you must provide a mountain of paperwork to prove every step of the manufacturing process was clean.​

How do I quickly find the correct HS code for a new product?
The most reliable way is to use the USITC HTS Search tool. However, for complex products, you should use an AI-driven tool like GaiaDynamics.ai or consult a licensed customs broker to avoid costly classification errors.

Who is legally responsible if my imported product is unsafe?
As the Importer of Record (IOR), you are 100% legally responsible. It does not matter if the manufacturer said the product was safe. You must ensure all testing (like CPSC or FDA) is completed and documented before the goods enter the U.S. commerce.

Can I get a refund if I overpaid on Section 301 tariffs?
Yes, but it is not automatic. You must file a "Post-Summary Correction" (PSC) or a Protest within 180 days of liquidation. Many companies use GaiaDynamics.ai to scan their old filings and find these "hidden" refund opportunities.

How is the Trump administration's 2025 policy affecting importers?
The administration has pushed for a "reciprocal" trade policy, leading to higher duties on a wider range of products. The ending of the $800 "de minimis" exemption, which was passed in mid-2025, now forces small e-commerce shipments to pay duties they previously avoided.​

What happens if I get a retroactive AD/CVD bill?
These bills can be huge, sometimes reaching 200% of the product's value. Your best defense is a "Scope Ruling" from the Department of Commerce, which officially declares that your product is not covered by the anti-dumping order.