U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, September 2026

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced today that the goods and services deficit was $105.0 billion in September, down $0.7 billion from $105.7 billion in August, revised.

Exports, Imports, and Balance (exhibit 1)

September exports were $321.5 billion, $5.8 billion more than August exports. September imports were $426.6 billion, $5.2 billion more than August imports.

The September decrease in the goods and services deficit reflected a decrease in the goods deficit of $0.7 billion to $135.9 billion and a decrease in the services surplus of less than $0.1 billion to $30.9 billion.

Year-to-date, the goods and services deficit decreased $92.4 billion, or 12.2 percent, from the same period in 2025. Exports increased $297.3 billion or 11.6 percent. Imports increased $204.9 billion or 6.2 percent.

Three-Month Moving Averages (exhibit 2)

The average goods and services deficit increased $11.3 billion to $101.2 billion for the three months ending in September.

• Average exports increased $1.4 billion to $316.0 billion in September.
• Average imports increased $12.7 billion to $417.2 billion in September.

Year-over-year, the average goods and services deficit increased $36.5 billion from the three months ending in September 2025.

• Average exports increased $28.9 billion from September 2025.
• Average imports increased $65.4 billion from September 2025.

Exports (exhibits 3, 6, and 7)

Exports of goods increased $5.1 billion to $211.0 billion in September.

  Exports of goods on a Census basis increased $5.0 billion.

• Capital goods increased $3.8 billion.
  • Computers increased $1.3 billion.
  • Computer accessories increased $0.8 billion.
  • Civilian aircraft increased $0.7 billion.
• Foods, feeds, and beverages increased $1.9 billion.
  • Soybeans increased $1.3 billion.
• Consumer goods increased $0.8 billion.
  • Pharmaceutical preparations increased $0.7 billion.
• Industrial supplies and materials decreased $1.0 billion.
  • Nonmonetary gold decreased $3.4 billion.
  • Crude oil increased $1.2 billion.

  Net balance of payments adjustments increased $0.1 billion.

Exports of services increased $0.7 billion to $110.5 billion in September.

• Travel increased $0.3 billion.
• Charges for the use of intellectual property increased $0.1 billion.

Imports (exhibits 4, 6, and 8)

Imports of goods increased $4.4 billion to $346.9 billion in September.

  Imports of goods on a Census basis increased $8.0 billion.

• Capital goods increased $11.6 billion.
  • Computers increased $7.6 billion.
  • Computer accessories increased $5.7 billion.
  • Semiconductors decreased $1.2 billion.
• Consumer goods increased $2.4 billion.
  • Pharmaceutical preparations increased $2.9 billion.
• Industrial supplies and materials decreased $3.7 billion.
  • Nonmonetary gold decreased $2.7 billion.
  • Crude oil decreased $1.3 billion.

  Net balance of payments adjustments decreased $3.6 billion.

Imports of services increased $0.8 billion to $79.7 billion in September.

• Travel increased $0.5 billion.
• Transport increased $0.2 billion.

Real Goods in 2017 Dollars – Census Basis (exhibit 11)

The real goods deficit increased $3.5 billion, or 3.0 percent, to $119.5 billion in September, compared to a 2.2 percent increase in the nominal deficit. (The reason why the Census Basis nominal goods deficit increased, while the BOP nominal goods deficit decreased in September is attributable to a BOP adjustment for nonmonetary gold imports. See “How are exports and imports of gold recorded in BEA’s International Economic Accounts?”.)

• Real exports of goods increased $0.2 billion, or 0.1 percent, to $152.2 billion, compared to a 2.5 percent increase in nominal exports.
• Real imports of goods increased $3.6 billion, or 1.4 percent, to $271.6 billion, compared to a 2.4 percent increase in nominal imports.

Revisions

Revisions to August exports

• Exports of goods were revised up $0.2 billion.
• Exports of services were revised up $0.3 billion.

Revisions to August imports

• Imports of goods were revised up $0.2 billion.
• Imports of services were revised up $0.4 billion.

Goods by Selected Countries and Areas: Monthly – Census Basis (exhibit 19)

The September figures show surpluses, in billions of dollars, with Netherlands ($7.7), South and Central America ($6.2), United Kingdom ($3.0), Hong Kong ($2.5), Australia ($2.1), Brazil ($1.1), Singapore ($0.7), Saudi Arabia ($0.5), and Belgium ($0.2). Deficits were recorded, in billions of dollars, with Mexico ($28.7), Vietnam ($25.3), Taiwan ($21.9), China ($17.9), European Union ($14.2), South Korea ($12.2), Germany ($7.9), Italy ($6.3), Malaysia ($5.3), Japan ($4.8), India ($4.5), Canada ($4.4), Ireland ($3.0), Switzerland ($1.3), France ($1.3), and Israel ($0.7).

• The deficit with Taiwan increased $3.6 billion to $21.9 billion in September. Exports increased $0.6 billion to $5.3 billion and imports increased $4.2 billion to $27.3 billion.
• The deficit with the European Union increased $3.2 billion to $14.2 billion in September. Exports decreased $0.6 billion to $39.0 billion and imports increased $2.6 billion to $53.2 billion.
• The deficit with Canada decreased $2.7 billion to $4.4 billion in September. Exports decreased $0.3 billion to $29.7 billion and imports decreased $3.0 billion to $34.1 billion.

All statistics referenced are seasonally adjusted; statistics are on a balance of payments basis unless otherwise specified. Additional statistics, including not seasonally adjusted statistics and details for goods on a Census basis, are available in exhibits 1-20b of this release. For information on data sources, definitions, and revision procedures, see the explanatory notes in this release. The full release can be found at www.census.gov/foreign-trade/Press-Release/current_press_release/index.html or www.bea.gov/data/intl-trade-investment/international-trade-goods-and-services. The full schedule is available in the Census Bureau’s Economic Briefing Room at www.census.gov/economic-indicators/ or on BEA’s website at www.bea.gov/news/schedule.

Next release: December 8, 2026
U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, October 2026