China trade data delayed without reason from customs authority

China delayed the release of official trade data due Friday without providing a reason, an unusual move for the country’s customs authority. 

Preliminary data for monthly imports and exports are usually published in the morning on scheduled days by the General Administration of Customs, according to the customs authority’s schedule. Figures for September had yet to be released as of 5:02 p.m. local time on Friday. 

Multiple calls to the customs department went unanswered. The agency also did not hold a morning press briefing, which is usually expected on quarterly release days.

September figures were expected to show exports likely slowing further and stagnant growth in imports. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg predicted overseas shipments would rise just 4% from a year ago, down from a 7.1% increase in August. That would be the slowest pace of growth since April, and only the second time since 2020 that shipment figures would be that low. 

Chinese officials have recently warned of waning overseas demand as the global economy slows.