In September, the values of Hong Kong's overall exports and imports increased by 64.9% and 57.8% year-on-year respectively.

On October 28, the Census and Statistics Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government released external merchandise trade statistics showing that in September 2026, the values of Hong Kong's overall exports and imports both recorded year-on-year increases, rising by 64.9% and 57.8% respectively. Following a 53.0% year-on-year increase in August 2026, the value of overall merchandise exports in September 2026 was HK$762.6 billion, up 64.9% from the same month in 2025. Meanwhile, following a 60.0% year-on-year increase in August 2026, the value of merchandise imports in September 2026 was HK$808.9 billion, up 57.8% from the same month in 2025. A visible trade deficit of HK$46.3 billion, equivalent to 5.7% of the value of merchandise imports, was recorded in September 2026. For the first nine months of 2026, the value of overall merchandise exports rose 45.2% over the same period in 2025. Meanwhile, the value of merchandise imports rose 45.0%. A visible trade deficit of HK$417.7 billion, equivalent to 7.0% of the value of merchandise imports, was recorded for the first nine months of 2026. On a seasonally adjusted basis, comparing the third quarter of 2026 with the preceding quarter, the value of overall merchandise exports rose 8.8%. Meanwhile, the value of merchandise imports rose 7.9%. Comparing September 2026 with the same month in 2025, the value of overall exports to Asia rose 67.5%. Within this region, the value of overall exports to most major destinations recorded increases, in particular to Taiwan, China (up 159.3%), Malaysia (up 131.5%), Thailand (up 118.0%), Singapore (up 77.5%) and the mainland of China (the Mainland) (up 68.1%). Apart from destinations in Asia, the value of overall exports to some major destinations in other regions recorded increases, in particular to Mexico (up 148.1%) and the United States (up 133.4%). Over the same period, the value of imports from most major supplying places recorded increases, in particular from Korea (up 231.1%), Vietnam (up 118.7%), Malaysia (up 73.9%), India (up 61.3%) and the Mainland (up 55.6%). Comparing the first nine months of 2026 with the same period in 2025, the value of overall exports to most major destinations recorded increases, in particular to Taiwan, China (up 82.2%), Singapore (up 81.8%), the United States (up 70.7%), Thailand (up 64.2%), Malaysia (up 62.3%) and the Mainland (up 49.4%). Over the same period, the value of imports from most major supplying places recorded increases, in particular from Korea (up 151.7%), India (up 98.5%), the United Kingdom (up 78.6%), Vietnam (up 77.5%), Malaysia (up 52.4%) and the Mainland (up 46.1%). Comparing September 2026 with the same month in 2025, the value of overall exports of most major commodity categories recorded increases, in particular of electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof (up HK$155.6 billion, up 66.2%) and office machines and automatic data processing machines (up HK$87.7 billion, up 183.7%). Over the same period, the value of imports of most major commodity categories recorded increases, in particular of electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof (up HK$153.5 billion, up 64.5%), office machines and automatic data processing machines (up HK$60.6 billion, up 142.0%) and telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment (up HK$49.0 billion, up 81.7%). Comparing the first nine months of 2026 with the same period in 2025, the value of overall exports of most major commodity categories recorded increases, in particular of electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof (up HK$973.7 billion, up 52.6%), office machines and automatic data processing machines (up HK$324.8 billion, up 63.9%) and telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment (up HK$225.7 billion, up 51.4%). Over the same period, the value of imports of most major commodity categories recorded increases, in particular of electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof (up HK$953.6 billion, up 51.3%), telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment (up HK$297.3 billion, up 63.3%) and office machines and automatic data processing machines (up HK$231.1 billion, up 53.8%). A government spokesman said that driven by the continued strong export performance of AI-related electronic products, merchandise exports in September further surged 64.9% year-on-year in value terms, marking the twentieth consecutive month of double-digit growth and the fastest single-month year-on-year growth in more than four decades. Exports to all major markets rose significantly. Looking ahead, Hong Kong's merchandise trade performance will continue to benefit from the current strong AI-related investment boom and resilient global economic growth. However, external uncertainties warrant close attention, including the conflict in the Middle East, protectionist measures by major economies, and risks associated with the rapid expansion of global AI investment.