Trade Data

China Container (HS 860900) Export Analysis – January-June 2026

Key Findings: Overall Exports Under Pressure, Large-Size Containers Show Strong Growth

     In the first half of 2026, China's container exports (HS code 860900) totalled approximately USD 5.85 billion, down about 18.5% from USD 7.18 billion in the same period of 2025. Export volume reached approximately 2.005 million units, a year-on-year decline of about 20.6%. Despite the overall pressure, 40-foot containers remained the absolute dominant category, accounting for about 69% of total export value, though they fell by roughly 21% year-on-year. The only bright spot was large-size containers (45, 48, 53 feet), whose export value surged about 63% year-on-year, signalling a recovery in demand for oversized and special-purpose boxes. The export market is heavily concentrated, with Hong Kong (China) alone accounting for 35.4% of total value, followed by Denmark, the United States, Switzerland, France and other European transshipment and leasing hubs; the top ten markets together represented about 89% of the total.

I. Container Export Data Overview

     The tables below show monthly and cumulative export values (in USD) and export volumes (in units) for each sub‑category from January to June 2026. Figures in parentheses are for the same period in 2025; year‑on‑year changes are calculated based on the same month of the two years.

20-foot containers (8609001):

     Total export value for January–June was about USD 1.52 billion, down 14.28% year‑on‑year; export volume was about 673,000 units, down 8.28%. Except for March, April and May, which all saw double‑digit value declines, the June drop narrowed to 5.08%.

40-foot containers (8609002):

     Total export value for January–June was about USD 4.03 billion, down 20.75% year‑on‑year; export volume was about 1.044 million units, down 14.73%. From January to May, monthly export values all recorded double-digit declines, with May falling 34.28% – but June showed a clear rebound, with value up 10.59% and volume up 26.73% year-on-year, suggesting a tentative bottoming‑out.

45, 48, 53-foot containers (8609003):

     Total export value for January–June was about USD 130 million, up 63.11% year-on-year; export volume was about 24,000 units, up 136.48% – making this the only sub‑category with positive growth. June was particularly strong, with value up 283.49% and volume up 252.24% year‑on‑year.

Other-size containers (8609009):

     Total export value for January–June was about USD 170 million, down 28.02% year‑on‑year; export volume was about 263,000 units, down 52.56%. This category is highly volatile: June value plunged to just USD 3.126 million, a 91.85% year‑on‑year drop.

II. Export Destinations (January–June 2026)

Top 5 by Export Value:

     Hong Kong (China) – USD 2.08 billion; Denmark – USD 710 million; United States – USD 678 million; Switzerland – USD 513 million; France – USD 353 million.

Top 5 by Export Volume:

     Hong Kong (China) – 796,000 units; United States – 239,000 units; Denmark – 193,000 units; Singapore – 99,000 units; Taiwan (China) – 89,000 units.

Full Top 10 Export Markets:

III. In-Depth Data Interpretation

Structural Characteristics

     40-foot containers dominate.The 40-foot category accounts for about 69% of total export value, making it the undisputed core product. However, its export value fell roughly 21% year-on-year, with volume down about 15%, and this decline is the main drag on overall exports.

     Large‑size containers buck the trend.The 45/48/53‑foot segment recorded a 63% value increase, with volume more than doubling – the only category to post positive growth. This demand is largely driven by replacement and upgrade cycles for oversized and special containers in Europe and the United States, and is worth close attention.

     High market concentration.Hong Kong alone accounts for 35.4% of total value; together with Denmark and the United States, the top three account for about 59% of total exports; the top ten markets together represent about 89%. European countries such as Denmark, Switzerland, France and the Netherlands are primarily shipping leasing and transshipment hubs, rather than final consumption destinations.

Key Market Analysis

     Hong Kong, China: The single largest market.Hong Kong leads by a wide margin with USD 2.08 billion and 796,000 units, representing 35.4% of total exports. Hong Kong itself does not consume such large volumes; in practice, most containers are re‑exported or distributed regionally. The unit price of about USD 2,613 is moderate. Heavy reliance on Hong Kong remains the biggest structural risk.

     Denmark / Switzerland / France: European leasing and transshipment hubs.Together, Denmark (USD 710 million), Switzerland (USD 513 million) and France (USD 353 million) account for more than USD 1.58 billion. These markets typically correspond to the container leasing and deployment needs of major liner companies like Maersk, and offer large‑volume, relatively stable orders at higher unit prices.

     United States: Traditional large market but declining in both value and volume.The US ranks third with USD 678 million, but has fallen notably year‑on‑year, with unit price around USD 2,832. Under the influence of route adjustments and inventory cycles, US‑bound container exports face short‑term pressure.

     Southeast Asia: Small but stable share.Markets such as Singapore (USD 248 million) and South Korea (USD 161 million) each account for about 3‑4% of total exports, with high transaction frequencies (117 and 138 times respectively) and solid customer bases – making them directions worth exploring for incremental growth.

IV. 2026 Export Trend Outlook

Positive Factors:

    · Recovery in large‑size container demand.Exports of 45/48/53‑foot containers surged 63% year‑on‑year, with special‑purpose and oversized box orders recovering.

    · Stable European leasing hub demand.Denmark, Switzerland and France, as home to major liner and leasing companies, provide a solid and continuous order base.

    · Active intra‑regional trade under RCEP.Singapore, South Korea, and the broader Southeast Asian manufacturing and logistics sector support demand for mid‑ and low‑end container types.

    · Container replacement cycle.Ageing of the global container fleet generates replacement demand, which favours quality‑competitive Chinese suppliers.

Negative Factors:

    · Decline in the 40‑foot core category.As the dominant product (≈69% of value), its ~20% year‑on‑year decline directly pulls down overall performance.

    · Overall export volume contraction.First‑half export volume fell about 21% year‑on‑year, reflecting weak external trade demand.

    · High volatility in the "other sizes" category.June value plunged to just USD 3.126 million, raising questions about demand stability and data reliability – this segment needs further verification.

    · Market concentration risk.Hong Kong alone accounts for over one‑third of total exports; any fluctuation in hub‑related orders would significantly affect overall performance.

Trend Forecast:

    · 40‑foot will remain dominant but under pressure.As the mainstay, its share is irreplaceable, but with weak demand, a return to positive growth is unlikely in the near term.

    · Large‑size containers to continue strong growth.Benefiting from replacement demand in Europe and the US, the 45/48/53‑foot segment is expected to maintain double-digit growth throughout the year.

    · Hong Kong + European hub structure to remain stable.Export destination concentration will not change significantly in the short term, and the overall market will continue to rely on these two types of destinations.

    · Total export value may decline slightly further.If the 40‑foot segment does not stabilise, full‑year export value will most likely fall below last year's level.