Air Freight News

U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, March 2026

May 05, 2026

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced today that the goods and services deficit was $60.3 billion in March, up $2.5 billion from $57.8 billion in February, revised.

Exports, Imports, and Balance 

March exports were $320.9 billion, $6.2 billion more than February exports. March imports were $381.2 billion, $8.7 billion more than February imports.

The March increase in the goods and services deficit reflected an increase in the goods deficit of $4.1 billion to $88.7 billion and an increase in the services surplus of $1.6 billion to $28.4 billion.

Year-to-date, the goods and services deficit decreased $211.2 billion, or 55.0 percent, from the same period in 2025. Exports increased $100.2 billion or 12.0 percent. Imports decreased $111.0 billion or 9.1 percent.

U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services Deficit

Deficit:

$60.3 Billion

+4.4%°

Exports:

$320.9 Billion

+2.0%°

Imports:

$381.2 Billion

+2.3%°


Next release: Tuesday, June 9, 2026

(°) Statistical significance is not applicable or not measurable. Data adjusted for seasonality but not price changes

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis; U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, May 5, 2026

Three-Month Moving Averages

The average goods and services deficit decreased $4.2 billion to $57.6 billion for the three months ending in March.

  • Average exports increased $11.5 billion to $312.6 billion in March.
  • Average imports increased $7.3 billion to $370.2 billion in March.

Year-over-year, the average goods and services deficit decreased $70.4 billion from the three months ending in March 2025.

  • Average exports increased $33.4 billion from March 2025.
  • Average imports decreased $37.0 billion from March 2025.

Exports

Exports of goods increased $6.5 billion to $213.5 billion in March.

Exports of goods on a Census basis increased $6.2 billion.

  • Industrial supplies and materials increased $5.0 billion.
    • Crude oil increased $2.8 billion.
    • Other petroleum products increased $1.7 billion.
    • Fuel oil increased $1.6 billion.
    • Other precious metals decreased $1.6 billion.
  • Foods, feeds, and beverages increased $1.1 billion.
    • Soybeans increased $0.9 billion.
  • Consumer goods decreased $1.7 billion.

Net balance of payments adjustments increased $0.3 billion.

Exports of services decreased $0.3 billion to $107.4 billion in March.

  • Travel decreased $1.1 billion.
  • Transport increased $0.2 billion.
  • Financial services increased $0.1 billion.
  • Other business services increased $0.1 billion.

Imports 

Imports of goods increased $10.6 billion to $302.2 billion in March.

Imports of goods on a Census basis increased $10.2 billion.

  • Automotive vehicles, parts, and engines increased $3.6 billion.
    • Passenger cars increased $2.8 billion.
  • Consumer goods increased $2.4 billion.
  • Capital goods increased $2.1 billion.
    • Computer accessories increased $2.0 billion.
    • Computers decreased $2.3 billion.
  • Industrial supplies and materials increased $2.1 billion.

Net balance of payments adjustments increased $0.4 billion.

Imports of services decreased $1.9 billion to $79.0 billion in March.

  • Charges for the use of intellectual property decreased $1.0 billion.
  • Transport decreased $0.4 billion.
  • Travel decreased $0.4 billion.

Real Goods in 2017 Dollars – Census Basis 

The real goods deficit increased $5.7 billion, or 6.7 percent, to $90.8 billion in March, compared to a 4.7 percent increase in the nominal deficit.

  • Real exports of goods increased $1.9 billion, or 1.2 percent, to $163.0 billion, compared to a 3.0 percent increase in nominal exports.
  • Real imports of goods increased $7.6 billion, or 3.1 percent, to $253.8 billion, compared to a 3.5 percent increase in nominal imports.

Revisions

Revisions to February exports

  • Exports of goods were revised up $0.1 billion.
  • Exports of services were revised down $0.2 billion.

Revisions to February imports

  • Imports of goods were revised up $0.1 billion.
  • Imports of services were revised up $0.2 billion.

Goods by Selected Countries and Areas: Monthly – Census Basis

The March figures show surpluses, in billions of dollars, with Netherlands ($7.4), United Kingdom ($6.1), Hong Kong ($5.8), South and Central America ($5.0), Switzerland ($4.3), Australia ($2.2), Singapore ($1.9), Brazil ($1.4), and Belgium ($0.6). Deficits were recorded, in billions of dollars, with Taiwan ($20.6), Vietnam ($19.2), Mexico ($16.4), China ($14.0), European Union ($9.2), Germany ($5.0), South Korea ($4.8), Japan ($4.1), Malaysia ($4.0), India ($3.8), Canada ($3.6), Ireland ($2.9), Italy ($2.3), Saudi Arabia ($0.7), and Israel ($0.4).

  • The deficit with the European Union increased $4.1 billion to $9.2 billion in March. Exports decreased $0.3 billion to $37.2 billion and imports increased $3.8 billion to $46.4 billion.
  • The surplus with Switzerland decreased $3.5 billion to $4.3 billion in March. Exports decreased $3.9 billion to $8.2 billion and imports decreased $0.3 billion to $3.9 billion.
  • The deficit with South Korea decreased $2.9 billion to $4.8 billion in March. Exports increased $1.8 billion to $7.5 billion and imports decreased $1.0 billion to $12.2 billion.

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