Exports from and imports to the UK hit a record high in March.  Export growth was mainly due to sales of pharmaceuticals and cars to non EU countries but also to Germany. However, there was a decline in manufacturing exports in April, mainly caused by slow demand from the euro zone. Increases in  import values [...]

Volumes of both import and export traffic through the Port of Hamburg in Germany increased in the first quarter of this year.  This was in spite of falling volumes of imports from the Asian continent. Hamburg is the second-largest port in Germany, and has increased trade with North America by more than 60% and with [...]

In 2011 imports of pig offal accounted for more than 65 pe cent of the total pig products imported in China.  Demand for meet has been growing in China, and this is helping exports in other parts of the world.  This also has a knock on effect on animal feed prices. China imported agricultural products [...]

The Commerce Ministry of China has said that tax rebates for exports are likely to be increased this year.  Exports have declined sharply due to the European debt crisis, and the government wishes to stabilise export growth.  The announcement was made at the 2012 China Imports and Exports Work Conference in Nanchang in Jiangxi province [...]

A former deputy commerce minister in China announced that the import taxes on a large number of consumer and luxury goods will be lowered this year. The aim is to promote domestic consumption in China. This is encouraging news for exporters in the West; Chinese consumers are interested in buying goods which are made overseas, [...]

Eurofer, the European steel producers’ group, has filed an anti-dumping complaint with the European commission against imports of organic-coated steel from China.  A formal investigation is expected to begin next month. A series of complaints have been brought by the European community against imports from China.  If EU authorities find evidence of dumping, provisional tariffs [...]

The latest statistics from the Irish Maritime Development Office show that only one of the five principal freight segments showed any growth over the same period last year. Exports  grew by 4% in Q3 and by 6% for the first nine months. Export demand to overseas markets such as the North America and Asia remained strong [...]

The Customs authority in the USA has announced a pilot plan for simplifying air freight imports. During the pilot scheme, the importer or broker will provide 13 data items and 3 optional data items, instead of the 27 currently required. The scheme was developed in coordination with representatives from the National Retail Federation, National Customs Brokers [...]

The UK trade association for the Scotch whisky industry have published figures showing that the value of China’s imports of Scotch whisky is increasing steadily.  In 2001 the value was 2.9 million dollars, in  2010 it was more than 85 million dollars. Exports to China rapidly increased when its economy began to take off after [...]

The Office for National Statistics has published figures showing that exports from the UK increased in August, compared with July.  The trade deficit narrowed more than expected with exports rising and imports falling slightly. The reduction in imports was inevitable with domestic demand falling and retail confidence low, and this is good news for the [...]

On 28 September Felixstowe, which is the largest freight container port in the UK, opened two new berths.  They will be the only container berths in the country which are large enough to handle the largest container ships which are currently on order. It is hoped that the new development will create around 1,500 jobs. The [...]

Cargo importers in Taiwan are complaining that their shipments are being delayed because Customs authorities are taking too long to inspect goods.  The Customs officials say they need more time to prevent ‘possible misunderstandings’ while the importers complain that officials are excessively cautious. There have  been a number of alleged scams in Taiwan in which [...]

According to a recent article in the journal of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, it is time to re-design the distribution of freight to reduce cost and environmental impact.  Current practice relies on using existing facilities, which were located according to location of raw materials and the markets for them. When freight containers [...]

Container Trade Statistics report that imports into Europe from Asia in June were 4.6% down on May, but are above the levels recorded during the same month last year.  Exports to Asia in Quarter 2 of 2011 increased compared with last year. There was a decrease in imports from South and Central America to Europe, [...]

Growth in the German economy slowed unexpectedly in the second quarter of this year.  German GDP only increased by 0.1 percent in the quarter to June compared with the previous quarter. Although exports and investment made a positive contribution, imports grew more than exports so the balance of trade became less favourable.  Surprisingly, Italy was [...]

A recently published report shows that exports and imports of freight through European ports increased in May compared with the previous month, but declined from volumes recorded in March.  Overall, import and export container growth at deepsea ports has been weakening, and is expected to get worse. Consumer confidence is being eroded by the debt [...]

The President of the American Soybean Association has announced that exports to China are expected to rise by 5 % more than last year.  It is hope that this will promote relations between China and the USA and help to balance trade between them. China imported a quarter of the USA’s domestic production last year; [...]

The US National Retail Federation has commissioned a report showing that imports are expected to remain at about the same level as last year in July, with increases beginning again later in the summer.  Consumer spending has slowed down due to rising fuel prices and general economic difficulties, but the National Retail Federation expects long [...]