Products Imported from China to Palau

In the calendar year of 2023, China exported goods worth US$54.2 million to Palau. Among the main exports from China to Palau were Special Purpose Ships (US$23.3 million), Refined Petroleum (US$5.17 million), Electric Batteries (US$3.08 million), Iron Structures (US$2.02 million) and Raw Iron Bars (US$1.96 million). Over the span of 28 years, China’s exports to Palau have grown steadily at an annualized rate of 24.9%, rising from US$134,000 in 1995 to US$54.2 million in 2023.

List of All Products That Were Imported from China to Palau

The table below presents a comprehensive list of all commodities that were exported from China to Palau in 2023, categorized by product types, and ranked by their trade values in US dollars.

Tips to use this table

1. Identifying High-Demand Products: Analyze the top-ranked products to identify which items have the highest trade values. These products are likely to be in high demand in the Palau market, presenting lucrative opportunities for importers and resellers.
2. Niche Market Exploration: Explore products with significant trade values that may not be commonly known. These niche products could represent untapped market segments with less competition, allowing resellers and importers to carve out a unique position in the market.

Last Updated: April, 2024

Note #1: The HS4 code, or Harmonized System 4-digit code, is part of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS). It’s an internationally standardized system for classifying goods in international trade.

Note #2: This table is regularly updated on an annual basis. Therefore, we encourage you to revisit frequently to access the latest information regarding trade between China and Palau.

Trade Agreements between China and Palau

China and Palau do not currently maintain formal diplomatic relations, largely due to Palau’s diplomatic recognition of Taiwan as a sovereign state. This recognition aligns Palau with Taiwan rather than with the People’s Republic of China, affecting the potential for official bilateral trade agreements between China and Palau.

Despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, there are indirect economic interactions between the two countries, primarily through tourism and small-scale trade. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese tourists were among the most significant groups visiting Palau, contributing to local tourism revenues. However, the tourism sector has faced challenges, including China’s restrictions on travel to Palau, which have been part of its diplomatic strategy to encourage countries to switch recognition from Taiwan to China.

In terms of trade, because there are no direct trade agreements, any economic exchanges occur through third-party countries or are limited to unofficial small-scale trade. This trade typically involves consumer goods and other non-strategic items that do not necessitate formal agreements.

The relationship between China and Palau is further complicated by geopolitical considerations, including the United States’ influence in the Pacific region and Palau’s strategic and historical ties with the U.S. and Taiwan. This dynamic shapes how and to what extent China and Palau can engage economically and politically.

Thus, while there are economic interactions between China and Palau, they do not currently extend to formal trade agreements due to the lack of diplomatic relations and the broader geopolitical context influencing their interactions.