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The twenty imports the United Arab Emirates is best placed to replace.

The United Arab Emirates imported USD 201bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 39bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well, with how concentrated the supply of each is.

USD 7.1bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
500products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
250products the United Arab Emirates already exports well
1705product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

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

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and the United Arab Emirates does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Medium density fibreboard (MDF), of a thickness exceeding 9 mmHS 441114

    Comes fromThailand 64%, 33 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 5m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 107m
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 272m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the United Arab Emirates' export strengths in the top 7 per cent (3); Thailand supplies 64 per cent (2).

    USD 272mup 8% on 2022
  2. 2

    Wrist-watches: (not electrically operated), automatic winding, whether or not incorporating a stop-watch facility...HS 910121

    Comes fromSwitzerland 70%, 39 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPocket-watches and other watches, including stop-watches: (excluding... (exports USD 1m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 101m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 204m
    Countries that export it well12

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 544m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the United Arab Emirates' export strengths in the top 25 per cent (2); Switzerland supplies 70 per cent (2).

    USD 544mup 12% on 2022
  3. 3

    Cigarettes: containing tobaccoHS 240220

    Comes fromSouth Korea 43%, 45 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 234m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 25m
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 423m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the United Arab Emirates' export strengths in the top 5 per cent (3); South Korea supplies 43 per cent (1).

    USD 423mdown 5% on 2022
  4. 4

    Insulated electric conductors: co-axial cable and other co-axial electric conductorsHS 854420

    Comes fromSaudi Arabia 81%, 56 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSemiconductor media: smart cards, whether or not recorded, excluding... (exports USD 150m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 26m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 1.4bn
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 310m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the United Arab Emirates' export strengths in the top 18 per cent (2); Saudi Arabia supplies 81 per cent (2).

    USD 310mdown 12% on 2022
  5. 5

    Glass: carboys, bottles, flasks, jars, pots, phials and other containers of glass, (not ampoules), used for the...HS 701090

    Comes fromChina 86%, 48 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 119m
    Countries that export it well38

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 249m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the United Arab Emirates' export strengths in the top 11 per cent (2); China supplies 86 per cent (2).

    USD 249mup 71% on 2022
  6. 6

    Containers: (including containers for transport of fluids) specially designed and equipped for carriage by one or more...HS 860900

    Comes fromChina 85%, 48 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 42m
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 226m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the United Arab Emirates' export strengths in the top 16 per cent (2); China supplies 85 per cent (2).

    USD 226mup 262% on 2022
  7. 7

    Washing and cleaning preparations: powders, flakes and granules, surface-active, whether or not containing soap...HS 340250

    Comes fromSaudi Arabia 51%, 49 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPerfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations: personal deodorants and... (exports USD 84m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 46m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 239m
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 214m, top 10 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the United Arab Emirates' export strengths in the top 3 per cent (3); Saudi Arabia supplies 51 per cent (1).

    USD 214mdown 36% on 2022
  8. 8

    Waters: mineral and aerated, including natural or artificial, (not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter...HS 220110

    Comes fromFrance 66%, 57 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMeat preparations: of turkeys, prepared or preserved meat or meat... (exports USD 14m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 35m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 12m
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 146m, top 14 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to the United Arab Emirates' export strengths in the top 5 per cent (3); France supplies 66 per cent (2).

    USD 146mup 142% on 2022
  9. 9

    Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10HS 210690

    Comes fromUnited States 14%, 78 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 72m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 82m
    Countries that export it well51

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 800m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the United Arab Emirates' export strengths in the top 6 per cent (3).

    USD 800mup 8% on 2022
  10. 10

    Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on buses or lorriesHS 401120

    Comes fromChina 67%, 41 source countries
    Nearest export strengthRubber: vulcanised (other than hard rubber), non-cellular rubber, in... (exports USD 14m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 23m; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 889m
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 783m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the United Arab Emirates' export strengths in the top 41 per cent (1); China supplies 67 per cent (2).

    USD 783mup 37% on 2022
  11. 11

    Aluminium: plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm, alloys, rectangular (including square)HS 760612

    Comes fromChina 48%, 39 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly... (exports USD 296m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 76m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 93m
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 432m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the United Arab Emirates' export strengths in the top 20 per cent (2); China supplies 48 per cent (1).

    USD 432mup 37% on 2022
  12. 12

    Vehicles: public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), with only compression-ignition...HS 870210

    Comes fromJapan 41%, 24 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 132m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 127m
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 391m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the United Arab Emirates' export strengths in the top 12 per cent (2); Japan supplies 41 per cent (1).

    USD 391mup 38% on 2022
  13. 13

    Footwear: (other than sportswear), with outer soles of rubber or plastics and uppers of textile materialsHS 640419

    Comes fromChina 65%, 57 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 22m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 176m
    Countries that export it well24

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 378m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the United Arab Emirates' export strengths in the top 34 per cent (1); China supplies 65 per cent (2).

    USD 378mdown 20% on 2022
  14. 14

    T-shirts, singlets and other vests: of cotton, knitted or crochetedHS 610910

    Comes fromIndia 41%, 77 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCoats: women's or girls' overcoats, car-coats, capes, anoraks... (exports USD 19m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 33m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 217m
    Countries that export it well38

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 375m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the United Arab Emirates' export strengths in the top 13 per cent (2); India supplies 41 per cent (1).

    USD 375mdown 45% on 2022
  15. 15

    Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity of 78ml/g or higherHS 390761

    Comes fromChina 80%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 7m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 574m
    Countries that export it well21

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 279m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the United Arab Emirates' export strengths in the top 31 per cent (1); China supplies 80 per cent (2).

    USD 279mdown 1% on 2022
  16. 16

    Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa: n.e.c. in chapter 18HS 180690

    Comes fromNetherlands 14%, 66 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFood preparations: waffles and wafers, whether or not containing cocoa (exports USD 189m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 49m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 251m
    Countries that export it well35

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 264m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the United Arab Emirates' export strengths in the top 8 per cent (3).

    USD 264mup 30% on 2022
  17. 17

    Food preparations: of flour, meal, starch, malt extract or milk products, for uses n.e.c. in heading no. 1901HS 190190

    Comes fromIreland 16%, 55 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing... (exports USD 269m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 9m
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 263m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the United Arab Emirates' export strengths in the top 4 per cent (3).

    USD 263mup 54% on 2022
  18. 18

    Textiles: made up articles (including dress patterns), n.e.c. in chapter 63, n.e.c. in heading no. 6307HS 630790

    Comes fromIndia 75%, 73 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCoats: women's or girls' overcoats, car-coats, capes, anoraks... (exports USD 19m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 11m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 33m
    Countries that export it well26

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 262m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the United Arab Emirates' export strengths in the top 27 per cent (1); India supplies 75 per cent (2).

    USD 262mup 66% on 2022
  19. 19

    Paper and paperboard: multi-ply, coated with kaolin or other inorganic substances only, for non-graphic purposes...HS 481092

    Comes fromChina 73%, 28 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 766k; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 221m
    Countries that export it well12

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 255m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the United Arab Emirates' export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1); China supplies 73 per cent (2).

    USD 255mup 78% on 2022
  20. 20

    Hair preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3305HS 330590

    Comes fromSouth Africa 27%, 59 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPerfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations: personal deodorants and... (exports USD 84m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 111m
    Countries that export it well33

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 254m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the United Arab Emirates' export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3).

    USD 254mup 33% 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 the United Arab Emirates 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.

  • Iron or steel (excluding cast iron or stainless steel): seamless, line pipe of... imports USD 366m, exports USD 67m, top source China 82%
  • Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, props and similar equipment for... imports USD 217m, exports USD 130m, top source India 32%
  • Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, bridges and bridge-sections imports USD 100m, exports USD 25m, top source Bahrain 88%
  • Wrist-watches: (not electrically operated), (not automatic winding), whether... imports USD 167m, exports USD 96m, top source Switzerland 83%
  • Perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations: personal deodorants and... imports USD 140m, exports USD 84m, top source United States 17%
  • Iron or non-alloy steel (excluding cast iron): seamless, (excluding cold-drawn... imports USD 97m, exports USD 48m, top source China 88%
  • Uncoated paper and paperboard (not 4801 or 4803): printing, writing or... imports USD 120m, exports USD 74m, top source Indonesia 30%
  • Boring and sinking machinery: not self-propelled imports USD 150m, exports USD 122m, top source China 88%
  • Iron or steel (excluding cast iron or stainless steel): seamless, drill pipe... imports USD 30m, exports USD 10m, top source China 84%
  • Rubber: used pneumatic tyres imports USD 26m, exports USD 7m, top source Japan 89%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 1705 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.

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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What the United Arab Emirates buys, and from whom: the trade lanes into the United Arab Emirates.

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