US imports up 8.7pc with Chinese exports driving big share of increase

CONTAINERISED imports to the United States grew 8.7 per cent in April to 1.4 million TEU after a three per cent year-on-year decline in March.

April imports from China boosted the overall result 10 per cent compared to same period 2010. Nearly 60,000 TEU was attributed to car part shipments from China, up 48 per centto 11,803 TEU, according to PIERS Data, a global import and export information service.


Shipments from Italy were up by 23 per cent, Vietnam, by 16 per cent, and Japan was up marginally by six per cent despite declines in automotive parts segment.


Imports that fared less well were Chinese furniture at two per cent which reflects a troubled US housing market, said the Journal of Commerce economist Mario Moreno, while Chinese footwear imports continued to increase by 12 per cent of a market it garners three-fourths of the US market.


Auto parts took up the largest increase of commodity groups at 25 per cent with tyres at 18 per cent. Women`s and infant clothing increased 28 per cent, while toy imports were down five per cent year on year.