UK trade: November 2025

• The value of goods imports decreased by £0.6 billion (1.1%) in November 2025, with a fall in imports from non-EU countries partially offset by a rise in imports from the EU.
• The value of goods exports rose by £0.6 billion (1.9%) in November 2025, with increases in exports to both EU and non-EU countries.
• Exports of goods to the United States, including precious metals, fell by £0.5 billion (10.4%) in November 2025, and imports of goods fell by £0.9 billion (12.3%).
• The total goods and services trade deficit widened by £2.7 billion to £6.1 billion in the three months to November 2025, compared with the three months to August 2025.
• The trade in goods deficit widened by £3.4 billion to £58.9 billion in the three months to November 2025, while the trade in services surplus is estimated to have widened by £0.7 billion to £52.8 billion.

Total imports of goods in "current prices", which are not adjusted for inflation (as explained in Section 11: Glossary), decreased by £0.6 billion (1.1%) in November 2025, when compared with the previous month. This decrease was because of a £0.9 billion (3.6%) fall in imports from non-EU countries, which was partially offset by a £0.3 billion (1.1%) rise in imports from the EU (Table 1 and Figure 1).

Total exports of goods increased by £0.6 billion (1.9%) in November 2025, because of a £0.4 billion (2.8%) rise in exports to the EU and a £0.2 billion (1.1%) rise in exports to non-EU countries.

Imports from the EU were £4.0 billion higher than from non-EU countries in November 2025, while exports to the EU were £1.3 billion lower than to non-EU countries.

Figure 1: Imports from non-EU countries decreased in November 2025

EU and non-EU goods imports and exports, excluding precious metals, current prices, seasonally adjusted, November 2022 to November 2025

After removing the effect of inflation by calculating "chained volume measures" (as explained in Section 11: Glossary), total goods imports decreased by £0.3 billion (0.5%) in November 2025 (Figure 2). This was because of a £0.7 billion (2.5%) fall in imports from non-EU countries, which was partially offset by a £0.4 billion (1.4%) rise in imports from the EU.

Total goods exports increased by £0.6 billion (1.8%) in November 2025, after the effect of inflation was removed. This was because exports to the EU rose by £0.4 billion (2.7%), and exports to non-EU countries rose by £0.2 billion (1.0%).

Figure 2: Imports and exports of goods to the EU rose in both value and inflation-adjusted terms in November 2025

Imports and exports of goods, excluding precious metals, current prices and chained volume measures, seasonally adjusted, EU and non-EU, November 2022 to November 2025

Exports of goods to the United States, including precious metals, fell by £0.5 billion (10.4%) in November 2025 (Figure 3). The fall in exports was primarily because of a £0.5 billion decrease in exports of chemicals linked to lower exports of medicinal and pharmaceutical products and inorganic chemicals. The value of goods exports to the United States have remained relatively low since the introduction of tariffs in April. 

Imports of goods from the United States, including precious metals, decreased by £0.9 billion (12.3%) in November 2025, following a large rise in the previous month. The decrease was primarily because of a £0.7 billion fall in imports of material manufactures linked to lower imports of non-ferrous metals. Non-ferrous metals include silver, platinum and palladium bullion bars, which are components of precious metals. Imports of non-ferrous metals from the United States fell by £0.7 billion in November 2025, following a new high in silver prices in October 2025. This led to a large increase in imports in October. Trade in precious metals can be large and highly volatile, distorting underlying trends in trade in goods. Silver, platinum, palladium and other metals also have uses in industry, so not all of these metals are classified as precious metals.

Monthly data can be erratic, therefore, movements should be treated with caution.

More detailed estimates on the UK's trade in goods with the United States can be found in our Trade in goods: country-by-commodity imports dataset and in our Trade in goods: country-by-commodity exports dataset. We will be publishing an article on UK trade with the United States: Impact of tariffs on imports and exports of goods on 30 January 2026, providing a more detailed look at our trade in goods with the United States following the introduction of trade tariffs.

Figure 3: Imports from and exports to the United States fell in November 2025

Goods imports from and exports to the United States, including precious metals, current prices, non-seasonally adjusted, November 2023 to November 2025

Silver, platinum and palladium bullion are components of precious metals and form part of the "material manufactures" commodity group. Trade in precious metals can be large and highly volatile, distorting underlying trends in trade in goods. We have added a "Material manufactures, excluding precious metals" series to our UK trade: goods and services publication tables and have used this series for the analysis in this section.

More details on the allocation of precious metals is provided in Section 12: Data sources and quality.

Goods imports

Imports from the EU increased by £0.3 billion (1.1%) in November 2025. This increase was primarily because of a £0.2 billion rise in chemical imports linked to higher imports of inorganic chemicals from Germany and the Netherlands, and increased imports of medicinal and pharmaceutical products from France (Figure 4).

Imports from non-EU countries decreased by £0.9 billion (3.6%) in November 2025. This decrease was primarily because of a £0.8 billion fall in imports of material manufactures (excluding precious metals), and a £0.3 billion decrease in imports of miscellaneous manufactures. The falls were partially offset by £0.2 billion increases in imports of chemicals, and machinery and transport equipment. The decrease in imports of material manufactures resulted from lower imports of non-ferrous metals from the United States. The decrease in imports of miscellaneous manufactures was linked to lower imports of both other manufactures (consumer) and clothing from China.

Figure 4: Imports of material manufactures (excluding precious metals) from non-EU countries fell in November 2025

Changes in goods imports by commodity group, excluding unspecified goods, current prices, seasonally adjusted, November 2025 compared with October 2025

Notes:

1. Material manufactures presented in this chart exclude silver, platinum and palladium bullion bars as these are components of precious metals. Trade in precious metals can be large and highly volatile, distorting underlying trends in trade in goods.

2. The monthly commodity changes may not sum to the total trade in goods monthly change because of rounding.

Goods exports

Exports to the EU increased by £0.4 billion (2.8%) in November 2025. This decrease was primarily because of a £0.2 billion rise in exports of chemicals, linked to higher exports of medicinal and pharmaceutical products to Germany, Ireland and France (Figure 5).

Exports to non-EU countries increased by £0.2 billion (1.1%) in November 2025. This increase was because of a £0.6 billion rise in exports of machinery and transport equipment, which was partially offset by a £0.5 billion fall in exports of material manufactures (excluding precious metals). The rise in exports of machinery and transport equipment was because of higher exports of cars to China and the United States and aircraft to Qatar. The fall in exports of material manufactures was because of reduced exports of non-ferrous metals to India and the United Arab Emirates.

Figure 5: Exports of machinery and transport equipment to non-EU countries rose in November 2025

Changes in EU and non-EU goods exports by commodity group, excluding unspecified goods, current prices, seasonally adjusted, November 2025 compared with October 2025

Notes:

1. Material manufactures presented in this chart exclude silver, platinum and palladium bullion bars as these are components of precious metals. Trade in precious metals can be large and highly volatile, distorting underlying trends in trade in goods. 

2. The monthly commodity changes may not sum to the total trade in goods monthly change because of rounding.

Early estimates suggest imports of services decreased by £0.1 billion (0.3%) in value terms in November 2025, while exports of services also decreased by £0.1 billion (0.3%) (Figure 6). There was little difference between trade in services trends in value and inflation-adjusted terms. 

Monthly figures for trade in services for November 2025 are forecast from Quarter 3 (July to Sept) 2025 data, using time series and additional data sources. Early estimates of trade in services are revised in line with the National Accounts Revisions Policy. Our UK trade quality and methodology information (QMI) has more detail on how our trade in services statistics are compiled.

The S&P Global UK Services Purchasing Managers Index for November 2025 (PDF, 130KB) reported a slowdown in growth in the services sector, citing poor demand in both the domestic and export markets. Weakened consumer confidence and uncertainty in the run-up to the budget were reported as dampening domestic demand. Sales to the rest of the world declined at an accelerated pace with strong competition and geopolitical uncertainties reported as drivers.

Figure 6: Exports of services fell in both value and inflation-adjusted terms in November 2025

Imports and exports of services, current prices and chained volume measures, seasonally adjusted, November 2022 to November 2025

Notes:

1. Monthly figures for trade in services for November 2025 are forecast using time series and additional data sources. Early estimates of trade in services are revised in line with the National Accounts Revisions Policy.

Total imports of goods increased by £0.3 billion (0.2%) in the three months to November 2025, compared with the three months to August 2025 (Table 2). Goods imports from non-EU countries increased by £0.2 billion (0.2%), and goods imports from the EU increased by £0.1 billion (0.1%).

Total exports of goods decreased by £3.1 billion (3.3%) in the three months to November 2025. This fall was primarily because goods exports to the EU decreased by £2.2 billion (4.8%), while goods exports to non-EU countries decreased by £0.9 billion (1.8%).

For trade in services in the three months to November 2025, we forecast International Trade in Services (ITIS) survey figures using time series data. This forecast is combined with additional data sources, to estimate trade in services totals. Early estimates indicate that imports of services decreased by around £0.1 billion (0.1%) in the three months to November 2025 compared with the three months to August 2025, while exports of services rose by an estimated £0.5 billion (0.4%).

The total goods and services trade deficit, excluding precious metals, widened by £2.7 billion to £6.1 billion in the three months to November 2025, compared with the three months to August 2025 (Figure 7). Exports fell by £2.6 billion over this period, while imports rose by £0.1 billion. When removing the effect of inflation, the total trade deficit, excluding precious metals, widened by £2.5 billion to £15.3 billion.

The trade in goods deficit in value terms, excluding precious metals, widened by £3.4 billion to £58.9 billion in the three months to November 2025, as goods exports fell while imports rose. The trade in services surplus is estimated to have widened by £0.7 billion to £52.8 billion, as exports of services rose while imports fell.

Explore the 2024 trade in goods data using our interactive tools. Our data break down UK trade in goods with 236 countries by 122 commodities. 

Use our map to get a better understanding of what goods the UK traded with a country. Select a country by hovering over it (desktop only) or use the drop-down menu.

Notes:

1. For more information about our methods and how we compile these statistics, see our Trade in goods, country-by-commodity experimental data: 2011 to 2016 article. Users should note that the data published alongside this release are official statistics and no longer in development. 

2. These data are our best estimate of these bilateral UK trade flows. Users should note that alternative estimates are available, in some cases, through the statistical agencies for bilateral countries or through central databases, such as United Nations (UN) Comtrade. 

3. This interactive map denotes country boundaries in accordance with statistical classifications set out in Appendix A4 of the Balance of Payments (BoP) Vademecum (PDF, 4.4MB) and do not represent the UK policy on disputed territories.

You can also explore the 2024 trade in goods data by commodity, such as car exports to the EU, and UK tea or coffee imports.

Select a commodity from the drop-down menu or select the levels with your digit or cursor to explore the data.

Notes:

1. For more information about our methods and how we compile these statistics, see our Trade in goods, country-by-commodity experimental data: 2011 to 2016 article. Users should note that the data published alongside this release are official statistics and no longer in development. 

2. These data are our best estimate of these bilateral UK trade flows. Users should note that alternative estimates are available, in some cases, through the statistical agencies for bilateral countries or through central databases, such as United Nations (UN) Comtrade. 

3. These interactive charts denote country boundaries in accordance with statistical classifications set out within Appendix A4 of the Balance of Payments (BoP) Vademecum (PDF, 4.4MB) and does not represent the UK policy on disputed territories.

In accordance with our National Accounts Revisions Policy, the data in this release have been revised from January 2024 to October 2025 for both goods and services.

HMRC error affecting mineral fuels and oils

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have corrected a data error in their Overseas Trade Statistics (OTS), which are an input for the Office for National Statistics (ONS) trade in goods data. This error related to the March 2024 reference period onwards and resulted in some fuels exports data being erroneously excluded.

In the HMRC data, the error affected UK exports of the commodities in Chapter 27: Mineral fuels and oils, to EU and non-EU countries. This error affected Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) 3: Fuels in ONS UK trade data.

In accordance with the National Accounts Revisions Policy, this error has been corrected, with revisions to the period March 2024 to October 2025.

Chained volume measures 

Chained volume measures (CVMs) are a "real" measure in that they have had the effect of inflation removed to measure the change in volume between consecutive periods, fixing the prices of goods and services in one period (known as the base year, which is 2022 for trade). 

Current price measures  

Current price estimates (CPs) measure the actual price paid for goods or services and are not adjusted for inflation. Unless otherwise stated, all current price data are provided in £ million and are seasonally adjusted. 

Inflation 

Inflation is the change in the average price level of goods and services over a period of time. 

Implied deflators 

An implied deflator (IDEF) shows the implied change in average prices for the respective components of the trade balance, for example, the IDEF for imports will show the average price movement for imports. 

Precious metals and non-monetary gold 

Precious metals include non-monetary gold, silver bullion, platinum bullion and palladium bullion. Non-monetary gold forms the majority of the commodity group "unspecified goods" and is the technical term for gold bullion not owned by central banks. Silver, platinum and palladium bullion form part of the "material manufactures" commodity group. This change is part of our Methods improvements for Blue Book and Pink Book 2025. 

Trade balance 

The trade balance is the difference between exports and imports or exports minus imports. When the value of exports is greater than the value of imports, the trade balance is in surplus. When the value of imports is greater than the value of exports, the trade balance is in deficit. The balance is sometimes referred to as "net exports". 

A full Glossary of economic terms is available.

The UK leaving the EU and the subsequent transition period, along with the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, supply chain disruption and global recession, have caused higher levels of volatility in trade statistics in recent years. The monthly analysis shows short-term trade movements, but it is important to note that monthly data can be erratic, and therefore movements should be treated with caution. 

Data collection changes 

Since the UK left the EU on 31 January 2020, the arrangements for how the UK trades with the EU changed.  

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) implemented some data collection changes following Brexit, which affected statistics on UK trade in goods with the EU. We have made adjustments to our estimates of goods imports from the EU in 2021 and 2022 to account for these changes, however, a structural break remains in the full time series for goods imports from and exports to the EU from January 2021.  

We therefore advise caution when interpreting and drawing conclusions from these statistics. Our Impact of trade in goods data collection changes on UK trade statistics: summary of adjustments and the structural break from 2021 article provides more detail. 

Data sources 

Data from HMRC make up over 90% of trade in goods value and are the main source for this release. Data from the quarterly International Trade in Services (ITIS) Survey make up over 50% of trade in services data. View our UK trade quality and methodology information (QMI) for more detail.  

Data from the International Passenger Survey (IPS) are the main source for travel services, historically making up around 8% of total imports. The survey has now fully resumed following the suspension in 2020.  

Unless otherwise specified, data within this bulletin are in current prices and have not been adjusted to remove the effects of inflation. In line with international standards, our headline trade statistics contain the UK's exports and imports of non-monetary gold. More information can be found in our National Accounts article: A brief explanation of non-monetary gold in national accounts. 

Method 

Trade is measured through both exports and imports of goods and services. Data are supplied by over 30 sources, including several administrative sources, with HMRC being the largest for trade in goods. 

Our UK trade figures are produced using country of dispatch, which records imports as coming from the country dispatching the shipments. However, trade figures can also be produced using country of origin, as is used by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). Users should be aware of the different accounting methods used and the resulting differences across trade figures. 

Monthly trade in services data are taken from quarterly trade in services data and are split across the months within that quarter through estimation. In months where we have a full quarter's data, we revise previous estimates of monthly values within that quarter. 

View more detailed information about the methods used to produce UK trade statistics in our UK trade QMI. 

Allocation of precious metals 

Our headline trade statistics contain the UK's exports and imports of non-monetary gold, in line with international standards. More information can be found in our National Accounts article: A brief explanation of non-monetary gold in national accounts. 

As part of our Methods improvements for Blue Book and Pink Book 2025, we have implemented improvements to the way we record trade in precious metals in this release. We have removed the double counting of some precious metals bars and included previously under-recorded non-monetary gold that is not in bar form.  

Precious metals include non-monetary gold, silver bullion, platinum bullion and palladium bullion. Non-monetary gold forms the majority of the commodity group "unspecified goods" and is the technical term for gold bullion not owned by central banks. Silver, platinum and palladium bullion form part of the "material manufactures" commodity group. 

We are continuing to review our methodology for the allocation of precious metals, to ensure that we capture all trade of non-ferrous metals where these commodities are traded as a financial asset. 

Pausing of producer prices publications 

Following the restart of our monthly business prices publications on 22 October 2025, in this release, business prices data with corrected chain linking methods and updated historic weights have been used in our monthly GDP dataset for Producer Price Indices (PPI), Import Prices Indices (IPI), Export Price Indices (EPI), and Service Producer Price Indices (SPPI) for July, August and September 2025. 

These updates to business prices data will be incorporated into UK trade estimates in line with our National Accounts Revisions Policy. 

Further information on the chain linking error and the impact of methodological changes in the producer prices dataset are detailed in our Impact of correction to chain-linking methodology used in Producer Price Indices and Services Producer Price Indices: October 2025 article published on 22 October 2025. 

Strengths and limitations 

National Statistics designation status 

The UK Statistics Authority suspended the National Statistics designation of UK trade (PDF, 72.9KB) on 14 November 2014. We have responded to all of the specific requirements of the Office for Statistics Regulation's (OSR's) reassessment of UK trade. As part of our engagement with the OSR team, we are sharing our continuous improvement and development plans to support UK trade statistics regaining accredited official statistics status. We welcome feedback on our new trade statistics, developments, and future plans by email to trade@ons.gov.uk. 

Trade asymmetries 

Asymmetries can be caused by a range of conceptual and measurement variations between the estimation practices of different countries. Statistical agencies are likely to have different source data, estimation methods, and methodological, geographical and definitional differences. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) publishes more information on UK trade asymmetries. We publish analysis on trade in services asymmetries in our Asymmetries in trade data articles. 

More quality and methodology information on strengths, limitations, appropriate uses, and how the data were created is available in our UK trade QMI.