List of the Top 10 Largest Import Products of Germany

The top 10 largest import products of Germany are Electrical, electronic equipment, Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers, Vehicles other than railways, tramways, Mineral fuels, oils, distillation products, Pharmaceutical products, Plastics, Optical, photo, technical, medical apparatus, Organic chemicals, Iron and steel, and Articles of iron or steel.

Germany imported US$1.572 trillion worth of products over throughout the world in 2023, up 22.2% from $1.286 trillion in 2018. Year on year, the overall cost of Germany’s imported goods increased by 10.5% to $1.423 billion in 2021. Germany’s top ten imports accounted for 64.6% of the total value of products purchased from other countries. From 2021 to 2022, the fastest-growing top categories were organic chemicals (up 64.3%), mineral fuels including oil (up 63.9%), followed by imported metals iron and steel (up 11.9%).

In this article, we will look into the list of the top 10 import products of Germany along with their highest dollar value in Germany’s import purchases during 2023.

List of the Top 10 Largest Import Products of Germany

Nearly two-thirds (64.4%) of Germany’s total import value in 2023 came from other European countries. Trade partners in Asia accounted for 26.6% of Germany’s import purchases, with North America accounting for the remaining 7.7% of goods imported. The following table lists the top 10 import products of Germany:

Product	Import Value
Electrical, electronic equipment	$222.11B
Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers	$176.74B
Vehicles other than railways, tramways	$159.23B
Mineral fuels, oils, distillation products	$133.26B
Pharmaceutical products	$74.72B
Plastics	$49.80B
Optical, photo, technical, medical apparatus	$49.24B
Organic chemicals	$45.28B
Iron and steel	$31.84B
Articles of iron or steel	$29.56B

Tenth Largest Import Product of Germany – Articles of Iron or Steel

Germany imported $29.56 billion of Articles of iron or steel making it the tenth largest import product of Germany.

• Germany is the world’s largest importer of iron and steel products. In 2021, Germany imported $34 billion in iron and steel, making it the world’s third largest importer of iron and steel.
• The main sources of Germany’s iron and steel imports are Italy, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, and Austria.
• Germany’s iron and steel industry is an import-intensive industry. The three main components of iron ore, coking coal, and steel scrap are all imported by Germany. The fourth main input cost factor is power.
• Germany’s iron and steel industry is a major contributor to the German economy. The industry employs over 300,000 people and generates over $100 billion in revenue annually. The industry is also a major exporter, with exports accounting for over half of the industry’s revenue.

Ninth Largest Import Product of Germany – Iron and Steel

Germany imported $31.84 billion of iron and steel in 2023 making it the ninth largest import product of Germany.

• Germany is an import-intensive industry when it comes to iron and steel. Its top import partners for iron and steel are Italy, Netherlands, France, Belgium, and Austria.
• In 2021, the value of iron and steel imports from these countries was $4.67 billion, $4.08 billion, $4.01 billion, $3.74 billion, and $2.73 billion respectively.
• Between 2020 and 2021, the fastest-growing import markets for iron and steel in Germany were Italy, France, and the Netherlands.
• Germany’s steel imports from the top 10 sources represented 80 percent or 21.5 million metric tons (mmt) of Germany’s steel import volume in 2018. At 4.8 tons mmt, Belgium accounted for 18 percent and the largest share of Germany’s imports. The next largest source was Italy at 14 percent (3.9 mmt), followed by France at 12 percent (3.2 mmt), and the Netherlands and Austria, both at 9 percent (2.5 mmt and 2.4 mmt respectively).

Eighth Largest Import Product of Germany – Organic Chemicals

Germany imported $45.28 billion of Organic chemicals in 2023 making it the eighth largest import product of Germany.

• In 2021, the value of organic chemicals imported by Germany was $39.4 billion, making it the world’s third-largest importer of organic chemicals and the eighth most imported product in the country.
• Germany’s top five sources of organic chemical imports are Ireland ($8.19 billion), Switzerland ($4.76 billion), the Netherlands ($4.66 billion), Belgium ($4.27 billion), and China ($3.39 billion).
• Between 2020 and 2021, the Netherlands, China, and France saw the fastest growth in their organic chemical export markets to Germany, with increases of $1.49 billion, $732 million, and $530 million, respectively.
• In 2022, imports of organic chemicals accounted for 4.21% of Germany’s total import flow, up from 2.84% in 2021. In 2021, the value of organic chemicals imported by Germany was $34.5 billion.

Seventh Largest Import Product of Germany – Optical, Photo, Technical, Medical Apparatus

Germany imported $49.24 billion of Optical, photo, technical, medical apparatus in 2023 making it the seventh largest import product of Germany.

• In 2021, Germany imported $48.5 billion worth of optical, photo, and medical apparatus, making it the world’s fourth-largest importer of these products.
• The most important import markets for optical, photo, and medical apparatus in Germany are the United States, China, Japan, and the Netherlands.
• The most important export markets for optical, photo, and medical apparatus in Germany are the United States, China, France, and the United Kingdom.
• The German optical, photo, and medical apparatus industry is a highly sophisticated and innovative industry. German companies are world leaders in the development and manufacture of a wide range of optical, photo, and medical apparatus, including microscopes, telescopes, cameras, lenses, medical imaging equipment, and surgical instruments.

Sixth Largest Import Product of Germany – Plastics

Germany imported $49.80 billion of plastics in 2023 making it the sixth largest import product of Germany.

• Germany is the largest importer and exporter of plastic waste globally. In 2021, Germany imported plastic products primarily from China, the United States, the Netherlands, Poland, and Czechia.
• The fastest growing import markets for Germany between 2021 and 2022 were the United States, China, and the Netherlands.
• Germany’s plastic imports are used in a variety of industries, including automotive, construction, and packaging. The automotive industry is the largest consumer of plastic in Germany, accounting for over 40% of total consumption.
• The construction industry is the second largest consumer of plastic, accounting for over 20% of total consumption. The packaging industry is the third largest consumer of plastic, accounting for over 15% of total consumption.

Fifth Largest Import Product of Germany – Pharmaceutical Products

Germany imported $74.72 billion of pharmaceutical products in 2023 making it the fifth largest import product of Germany.

• The top five countries that Germany imports pharmaceutical products from are Ireland, Belgium, Switzerland, the United States, and the Netherlands.
• The top five countries that Germany exports pharmaceuticals to are Belgium, the US, Switzerland, France, and the Netherlands.
• The fastest growing pharmaceutical import markets in Germany from 2021–2022 were Ireland, the UK, and the US.
• Germany began encouraging pharmacies to replace prescribed medicinal products with lower priced imports from other countries. The legal basis for medicinal product legislation in Germany is the Medicinal Products Act.
• Germany’s leading trading partners in 2022 were China, the USA, and the Netherlands. In 2023, Germany imported its largest ever shipment of medicinal cannabis.

Fourth Largest Import Product of Germany – Mineral fuels, Oils, Distillation Products

Germany imported $133.26 billion of Mineral fuels, Oils, Distillation Products in 2023 making it the fourth largest import product of Germany.

• Germany imports mineral fuels, mineral oils, and products of distillation to meet its energy needs. In 2021, these products accounted for 13% of Germany’s total imports. Germany’s main suppliers of these products are Russia, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Kazakhstan.
• Germany’s dependence on imported fossil fuels is a major concern for the country. In 2021, Russia was Germany’s largest supplier of crude oil, providing 34.1% of the country’s total imports.
• In an effort to reduce its dependence on Russian oil, Germany is working to increase its production of renewable energy.
• The German government has set a target of increasing the share of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix to 65% by 2030.

Third Largest Import Product of Germany – Vehicles Other Than Railway, Tramway

Germany imported $159.23 billion of Vehicles other than Railway, Tramway in 2023 making it the third largest import product of Germany.

• In 2022, India imported vehicles other than railway or tramway worth US$929.09 million from Germany. In 2020, Vietnam imported vehicles other than railway or tramway worth US$244 billion from Germany.
• Germany’s top exported vehicle brands include Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Porsche, Audi, and BMW. These brands are known for their engineering excellence and automotive prowess.
• Germany also imports vehicles, with vehicles and vehicle parts accounting for 4.4% of its total imports in 2022.
• In 2022, Germany exported $149 billion in cars, making it the world’s largest exporter of cars. The main export products are motor cars with cylinder capacities over 1500 cm3, which together are worth more than USD 100 billion.

Second Largest Import Product of Germany – Machinery, Nuclear Reactors, Boilers

Germany imported $176.74 billion of machinery, nuclear reactors, and Boilers in 2023 making it the second largest import product of Germany.

• Machinery, nuclear reactors, and boilers are Germany’s second largest import product, making up 12% of the country’s total imports.
• In 2021, Germany’s top three trading partners were the US, China, and the Netherlands, accounting for 24.1% of the country’s total trade.
• In 2022, Germany was the third largest importer of nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery, and other mechanical appliances, accounting for 7.11% of global imports, or $176 billion.
• In 2022, Germany also exported $248 billion in nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery, and other mechanical appliances. The main commercial origins of these products in 2022 were China, the United States, Germany, and Taiwan.

Largest Import Product of Germany – Electrical, Electronic Equipment

Germany imported $222.11 billion of electrical and electronic equipment in 2023 making it the largest import product of Germany.

• The country’s main sources of electrical machinery and electronics imports are China, Czechia, Poland, Hungary, France, and Netherlands.
• Between 2021 and 2022, China became the fastest growing import market at $13.7 billion, followed by Czechia at $2.78 billion, and France at $2.31 billion.
• In 2022, Germany exported $170 billion in electrical machinery and electronics, while China, Chinese Taipei, South Korea, and the United States were the top exporters.
• The fastest growing import markets from 2021 to 2022 were China, Czechia, and France.

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Conclusion – Top 10 Largest Import Products of Germany

In conclusion, Germany’s top imports include electrical equipment, machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers, motor cars and other motor vehicles, petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons, organic chemicals, petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude, parts and accessories of the motor vehicles, heterocyclic compounds with nitrogen, medicaments and pharmaceuticals, and petroleum oils and waste oils. Germany imports mostly from China, Netherlands, Poland, and Belgium. In 2023, the German import industry was valued at more than US$1.572 trillion, making it the third country with the most imports globally. This industry is expected to grow in the coming years.

FAQs on Top 10 Largest Import Products of Germany

What are Germany’s top 10 export products?

Machinery, vehicles, pharmaceuticals, electrical equipment, and chemical products are among Germany’s top exports.

What percentage of Germany’s exports do vehicles make up?

Vehicles make up around 20% of Germany’s total exports.

Which countries are the main recipients of German machinery exports?

The United States, China, and France are among the top recipients of German machinery exports.

What types of machinery does Germany primarily export?

Germany exports a wide range of machinery, including industrial machinery, turbines, and medical equipment.

How significant are pharmaceutical exports to Germany’s economy?

Pharmaceutical exports are significant, contributing substantially to Germany’s export revenue.

Which countries are major importers of German pharmaceuticals?

The United States, United Kingdom, and France are among the top importers of German pharmaceutical products.

What electrical equipment does Germany export?

Germany exports a variety of electrical equipment, including generators, transformers, and telecommunications equipment.

What percentage of Germany’s exports do chemical products represent?

Chemical products represent a significant portion, accounting for around 15% of Germany’s total exports.

Which industries heavily rely on German chemical exports?

Industries such as automotive, construction, and healthcare heavily rely on German chemical exports.

What role do exports play in Germany’s economy?

Exports play an important role in Germany’s economy, driving growth and employment, with the country being one of the world’s leading exporters.