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The twenty imports Germany is best placed to replace.

Germany imported USD 1.1tn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 1.4tn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well, with how concentrated the supply of each is.

USD 27bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
41products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
2151products Germany already exports well
8,555public purchases of goods joined to a product family, from Tenders Electronic Daily (EU)
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing Germany already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Germany would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition carries public buyers from Tenders Electronic Daily (EU), 61,873 award notices from 2025-11-03 to 2026-11-02, joined to each product's customs heading through a crosswalk we authored. The buyers are shown as context and do not change the score, because award values in these records include framework ceilings and outliers that would distort it. The regional layer (where the capability sits) is built only where a country publishes regional trade by product, and Germany does not publish it in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Polypeptide hormones, protein hormones and glycoprotein hormones, their derivatives and structural analogues: other...HS 293719

    Comes fromUnited States 66%, 31 source countries
    Nearest export strengthEsters: phosphite esters and their salts: their halogenated... (exports USD 3m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 844m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 347m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 2.5bn, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Germany's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); United States supplies 66 per cent (2).

    USD 2.5bnup 90% on 2022
  2. 2

    Heterocyclic compounds: lactams: other than 6-hexanelactam (epsilon caprolactam) and clobazam (INN) and methyprylon...HS 293379

    Comes fromIreland 79%, 36 source countries
    Nearest export strengthLubricating preparations: other than for the treatment of textile... (exports USD 872m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 225m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 5.2bn
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 3.4bn, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Germany's export strengths in the top 36 per cent (1); Ireland supplies 79 per cent (2).

    USD 3.4bndown 69% on 2022
  3. 3

    Mowers: lawn, parks or sports-grounds, powered, with the cutting device rotating in a horizontal planeHS 843311

    Comes fromChina 41%, 46 source countries
    Nearest export strengthEngines: compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines... (exports USD 3.6bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 432m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 54m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 992m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Germany's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1); China supplies 41 per cent (1).

    USD 992mdown 8% on 2022
  4. 4

    Acyclic hydrocarbons: unsaturated, ethyleneHS 290121

    Comes fromNetherlands 62%, 12 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAcids: unsaturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids: esters of... (exports USD 266m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 247m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 82m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 493m, top 14 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Germany's export strengths in the top 40 per cent (1); Netherlands supplies 62 per cent (2).

    USD 493mdown 20% on 2022
  5. 5

    Cyclic hydrocarbons: styreneHS 290250

    Comes fromNetherlands 68%, 19 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAcids: unsaturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids: esters of... (exports USD 266m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 82m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 210m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 441m, top 16 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Germany's export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1); Netherlands supplies 68 per cent (2).

    USD 441mdown 23% on 2022
  6. 6

    Amine-function compounds: acyclic polyamines and their derivatives, hexamethylenediamine and its saltsHS 292122

    Comes fromFrance 81%, 12 source countries
    Nearest export strengthEpoxides, epoxyalcohols, epoxyphenols and epoxyethers: with a... (exports USD 178m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 29m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 455m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 306m, top 21 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Germany's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1); France supplies 81 per cent (2).

    USD 306mdown 44% on 2022
  7. 7

    Blood, human or animal, antisera, other blood fractions and immunological products: immunological products, mixed, put...HS 300214

    Comes fromIreland 29%, 37 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 1.0bn; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 4.1bn
    Public buyers in the family6 awards from 5 buyers. Most frequent: Landesamt für innere Verwaltung M-V, Abteilung Beschaffung/Dienstleistungen

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 7.5bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Germany's export strengths in the top 37 per cent (1).

    USD 7.5bndown 19% on 2022
  8. 8

    Turbines: parts of turbo-jets and turbo-propellersHS 841191

    Comes fromUnited States 34%, 68 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTurbines: parts of gas turbines (excluding turbo-jets and... (exports USD 2.5bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3.5bn; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 5.3bn
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 6.7bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Germany's export strengths in the top 32 per cent (1).

    USD 6.7bnup 43% on 2022
  9. 9

    Aircraft and spacecraft: under-carriages and parts thereofHS 880720

    Comes fromFrance 31%, 72 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 416m
    Public buyers in the family11 awards from 5 buyers. Most frequent: Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 911m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Germany's export strengths in the top 30 per cent (1).

    USD 911mup 37% on 2022
  10. 10

    Lubricating oil additives: containing petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous mineralsHS 381121

    Comes fromFrance 47%, 45 source countries
    Nearest export strengthEpoxides, epoxyalcohols, epoxyphenols and epoxyethers: with a... (exports USD 178m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 317m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 653m, top 10 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Germany's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1); France supplies 47 per cent (1).

    USD 653mup 4% on 2022
  11. 11

    Iron or non-alloy steel: in coils, without patterns in relief, flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled...HS 720827

    Comes fromBelgium 40%, 29 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSteel, alloy: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, in coils (exports USD 461m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 239m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 572m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 440m, top 16 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Germany's export strengths in the top 34 per cent (1); Belgium supplies 40 per cent (1).

    USD 440mdown 26% on 2022
  12. 12

    Steel, stainless: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, in coils, of a thickness of less than 3mmHS 721914

    Comes fromFinland 72%, 25 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTools, hand: interchangeable spanner sockets, with or without handles (exports USD 122m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m; 9 more lines in the heading, USD 2.8bn
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 185m, top 30 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Germany's export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1); Finland supplies 72 per cent (2).

    USD 185mdown 3% on 2022
  13. 13

    Yarn, synthetic: filament, monofilament (less than 67 decitex), of high tenacity yarn of nylon or other polyamides...HS 540211

    Comes fromNetherlands 71%, 34 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 40m; 10 more lines in the heading, USD 462m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 103m, top 43 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Germany's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1); Netherlands supplies 71 per cent (2).

    USD 103mdown 22% on 2022
  14. 14

    Teleferics, chair-lifts, ski-draglines, traction mechanisms for funicularsHS 842860

    Comes fromAustria 79%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m
    Public buyers in the family89 awards from 71 buyers. Most frequent: CargoBeamer Terminal Kaldenkirchen GmbH

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 17m, top 89 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Germany's export strengths in the top 23 per cent (2); Austria supplies 79 per cent (2).

    USD 17mfrom USD 2m in 2022
  15. 15

    Medicaments: containing corticosteroid hormones, their derivatives or structural analogues (but not containing...HS 300432

    Comes fromItaly 34%, 38 source countries
    Nearest export strengthRefractory cements, mortars, concretes and similar compositions... (exports USD 322m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 349m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 548m, top 13 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Germany's export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1).

    USD 548mup 12% on 2022
  16. 16

    Iron or steel, railway or tramway track construction material: railsHS 730210

    Comes fromPoland 38%, 35 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSteel, alloy: ingots and other primary forms (exports USD 51m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 36m
    Public buyers in the family105 awards from 36 buyers. Most frequent: DB InfraGO AG to Geschäftsbereich Fahrweg (Bukr 16)

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 462m, top 15 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Germany's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1).

    USD 462mup 26% on 2022
  17. 17

    Medical, surgical instruments and appliances: ultrasonic scanning apparatusHS 901812

    Comes fromAustria 25%, 67 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMedical, surgical instruments and appliances: electro-diagnostic... (exports USD 2.4bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 234m
    Public buyers in the family429 awards from 210 buyers. Most frequent: Vivantes - Netzwerk für Gesundheit GmbH

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 336m, top 19 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Germany's export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1).

    USD 336mdown 10% on 2022
  18. 18

    Photographic goods: chemical preparations other than sensitised emulsions, put up in measured portions or put up for...HS 370790

    Comes fromJapan 35%, 49 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAcids: unsaturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids: methacrylic acid... (exports USD 59m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 158m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 322m, top 20 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Germany's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1).

    USD 322mup 91% on 2022
  19. 19

    Nickel: articles thereof n.e.c. in item no. 7508.1HS 750890

    Comes fromUnited States 32%, 58 source countries
    Nearest export strengthNickel: tubes and pipes, of nickel alloys (exports USD 151m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 153m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 285m, top 22 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Germany's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1).

    USD 285mup 84% on 2022
  20. 20

    Perfumes and deodorizers: perfuming or deodorizing preparations n.e.c. in heading no. 3307HS 330790

    Comes fromFrance 17%, 80 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 163m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 261m
    Public buyers in the family18 awards from 17 buyers. Most frequent: Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM)

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 259m, top 24 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Germany's export strengths in the top 50 per cent (1).

    USD 259mup 5% on 2022

The bill and its path, the sources and their unit values, who exports the line well, the nearest strengths, the public buyers where a country publishes them, and the method. We reply by email. Privacy

One line per customs heading. Products Germany already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

  • Aircraft and spacecraft: parts of aeroplanes, helicopters or unmanned aircraft... imports USD 10bn, exports USD 8.9bn, top source United Kingdom 36%
  • Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on motor cars (including station... imports USD 5.5bn, exports USD 4.1bn, top source China 10%
  • Aluminium: articles n.e.c. in heading 7616 imports USD 3.0bn, exports USD 1.7bn, top source Italy 16%
  • Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, fitted... imports USD 3.9bn, exports USD 2.9bn, top source China 19%
  • Vacuum cleaners, with self-contained electric motor, of a power not exceeding... imports USD 2.4bn, exports USD 1.5bn, top source China 56%
  • Catalysts, supported: reaction initiators, reaction accelerators and catalytic... imports USD 3.2bn, exports USD 2.3bn, top source North Macedonia 48%
  • Electrical static converters imports USD 8.9bn, exports USD 8.1bn, top source China 26%
  • Electric motors and generators: parts suitable for use solely or principally... imports USD 3.6bn, exports USD 2.9bn, top source China 21%
  • Aluminium: alloys, bars, rods and profiles, other than hollow imports USD 2.0bn, exports USD 1.2bn, top source Italy 13%
  • Footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6403, (not covering the ankle), outer soles of... imports USD 3.7bn, exports USD 3.1bn, top source Vietnam 25%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 3102 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Public buyers, context only, never scored: 61,873 award notices from Tenders Electronic Daily (EU), 2025-11-03 to 2026-11-02, of which 11,780 were classified by the buyer as goods and 8,555 joined to a product family through a crosswalk we authored, because no official one exists. Only notices whose code names a specific product group are joined; broad division codes are left out. The join is a family, not an exact line, and the counts are a floor.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-03. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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