Based on the latest customs and industry statistics for 2026, the following provides supplementary details on the import and export trade of the fastener industry:
I. Overall import and export situation in the first quarter of 2026
In terms of exports, the total export value in the first quarter was USD 2.376 billion (up 2.5% year on year), the export volume was 1.1526 million tons (up 0.5% year on year), and the average export price was USD 2.06/kg (up 2.0% year on year).
Imports: In the first quarter, the total import value amounted to USD 578 million, with an import volume of 37,200 tons and an average import price of USD 15.54/kg (representing a year-on-year increase of 10.0%). The average import price significantly surpassed the export price, indicating that high-end products still rely on overseas supply.
Note: Depending on different statistical standards, the total export volume from January to March can also be recorded as 1.4378 million tons, with an export value of 2.816 billion US dollars. The discrepancies primarily stem from variations in the scope of commodity coding classification. (Source: www.fasteningelement.com, Compiled by: fastening element)
II. Analysis of trade structure
Export categories: Mainly ordinary strength (tensile strength below 800 MPa) screws and bolts, with an export value of approximately $734 million in the first quarter; high-strength bolts with an export value of approximately $332 million; and nuts with an export value of approximately $394 million.
Imported products: High-tech, high-strength (800 MPa and above) fasteners constitute the mainstream of imports, with an import value of approximately $150 million in the first quarter; nut imports amounted to approximately $123 million, reflecting the rigid demand for precision basic components in domestic high-end manufacturing.
Price Scissors Gap: The average import price is approximately 7.5 times the average export price, indicating that China’s fastener exports are still dominated by medium and low-end products, while the high-end segment is still catching up. (Source: www.fasteningelement.com, Compiled by: fastening element)
III. Major trading partners
Export markets: The United States (approximately $282 million in the first quarter), Vietnam (approximately $165 million), Germany (approximately $109 million), Russia (approximately $109 million), and Thailand (approximately $93 million) rank as the top five. Southeast Asian markets such as Vietnam have seen significant growth.
Import sources: Japan (approximately $110 million in the first quarter), the United States (approximately $112 million), Germany (approximately $96 million), Taiwan, China (approximately $58 million), and Italy (approximately $30 million) are the top five import sources, primarily from industrialized countries/regions. (Source: www.fasteningelement.com, compiled by fastening element)
IV. Characteristics of fluctuations within the quarter
Surging in January and February: Affected by the concentrated release of orders in the early stage, the export volume in January and February increased by 17.6% year-on-year, and the export value increased by 20.8% year-on-year, ushering in a strong start.
March callback: In March alone, the export volume was 341,600 tons (down 31.5% year-on-year), and the export value was $712 million (down 28.5% year-on-year). The sharp decline in volume and value was mainly due to the seasonal low demand and overdraft of early orders, but the average export price remained stable at $2/kg, without experiencing a price war-style decline. (Source: www.fasteningelement.com, Compiled by: fastening element)
Overall, the foreign trade of fasteners in the beginning of 2026 exhibited a trend of “stable overall volume, differentiated structure, and high-end deficit”. The market share of emerging countries continued to increase, but the short-term fluctuations in March also indicated the uncertainty of external demand and trade environment. (Source: www.fasteningelement.com, compiled by fastening element)