Key Findings: exports under broad pressure, large-size boxes buck the trend
In Jan-Jun 2026, China's exports of freight containers (HS code 860900) reached about $5,851,843,546, down about 18.5% from the same period last year ($7,176,319,572); export volume was about 2,004,782 units, down about 20.6% year-on-year. The 40-foot container remains the absolute mainstay, accounting for about 69% of total export value, but its value fell about 21% YoY. The only bright spot is 45/48/53-foot and other large-size containers, whose export value grew about 63% YoY, signalling a recovery in demand for oversized box capacity. Exports are highly concentrated in Hong Kong, China (share 35.4%), followed by European transshipment and leasing hubs such as Denmark, the United States and Switzerland; the top ten markets together account for about 89%.
1. Container Export Data Overview
The following are monthly and cumulative export values (USD) and quantities (units) by sub-category for Jan-Jun 2026. YoY is computed against the same month of 2025.
1. 20-foot containers (8609001) monthly data
| Month | Export Value 2025 | Export Value 2026 | Export Value YoY | Export Qty 2025 | Export Qty 2026 | Export Qty YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 304,610,197 | 269,606,296 | -11.49% | 111,513 | 126,915 | +13.81% |
| Feb | 214,119,926 | 186,901,779 | -12.71% | 79,851 | 84,646 | +6.00% |
| Mar | 292,176,418 | 259,510,905 | -11.18% | 122,241 | 104,150 | -14.80% |
| Apr | 377,614,709 | 296,793,244 | -21.40% | 157,509 | 133,585 | -15.19% |
| May | 293,442,415 | 230,339,338 | -21.50% | 119,077 | 107,637 | -9.61% |
| Jun | 295,064,041 | 280,076,316 | -5.08% | 143,641 | 116,168 | -19.13% |
| Jan-Jun Total | 1,777,027,706 | 1,523,227,878 | -14.28% | 733,832 | 673,101 | -8.28% |
2. 40-foot containers (8609002) monthly data
| Month | Export Value 2025 | Export Value 2026 | Export Value YoY | Export Qty 2025 | Export Qty 2026 | Export Qty YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 1,078,337,644 | 787,020,850 | -27.02% | 271,529 | 211,781 | -22.00% |
| Feb | 699,438,056 | 497,439,937 | -28.88% | 173,238 | 124,894 | -27.91% |
| Mar | 855,109,389 | 577,529,480 | -32.46% | 197,769 | 139,945 | -29.24% |
| Apr | 857,213,022 | 739,485,186 | -13.73% | 200,562 | 181,060 | -9.72% |
| May | 746,183,946 | 490,365,650 | -34.28% | 183,766 | 136,034 | -25.97% |
| Jun | 847,657,530 | 937,395,070 | +10.59% | 197,666 | 250,502 | +26.73% |
| Jan-Jun Total | 5,083,939,587 | 4,029,236,173 | -20.75% | 1,224,530 | 1,044,216 | -14.73% |
3. 45/48/53-foot containers (8609003) monthly data
| Month | Export Value 2025 | Export Value 2026 | Export Value YoY | Export Qty 2025 | Export Qty 2026 | Export Qty YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 18,998,903 | 18,937,955 | -0.32% | 2,581 | 4,542 | +75.98% |
| Feb | 11,085,381 | 30,668,049 | +176.65% | 1,338 | 6,996 | +422.87% |
| Mar | 12,241,617 | 7,899,499 | -35.47% | 1,201 | 1,323 | +10.16% |
| Apr | 18,448,069 | 17,629,153 | -4.44% | 2,587 | 3,661 | +41.52% |
| May | 8,938,423 | 17,153,945 | +91.91% | 1,008 | 2,379 | +136.01% |
| Jun | 9,718,380 | 37,268,715 | +283.49% | 1,476 | 5,199 | +252.24% |
| Jan-Jun Total | 79,430,773 | 129,557,316 | +63.11% | 10,191 | 24,100 | +136.48% |
4. Other-size containers (8609009) monthly data
| Month | Export Value 2025 | Export Value 2026 | Export Value YoY | Export Qty 2025 | Export Qty 2026 | Export Qty YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 41,920,595 | 30,932,554 | -26.21% | 96,197 | 43,257 | -55.03% |
| Feb | 33,370,408 | 38,187,789 | +14.44% | 46,826 | 34,492 | -26.34% |
| Mar | 39,106,069 | 37,902,756 | -3.08% | 112,492 | 49,195 | -56.27% |
| Apr | 35,162,694 | 25,535,453 | -27.38% | 96,224 | 36,757 | -61.80% |
| May | 48,017,383 | 34,137,927 | -28.91% | 116,342 | 41,552 | -64.28% |
| Jun | 38,344,357 | 3,125,700 | -91.85% | 87,025 | 58,112 | -33.22% |
| Jan-Jun Total | 235,921,506 | 169,822,179 | -28.02% | 555,106 | 263,365 | -52.56% |
2. Export Destination Markets, Jan-Jun 2026
Top 3 Export Destinations by Value
Hong Kong, China (Value $2,080,384,306)
Denmark (Value $710,172,143)
United States (Value $677,936,171)
Top 3 Export Destinations by Quantity
Hong Kong, China (Qty 796,019)
United States (Qty 239,399)
Denmark (Qty 193,328)
| Rank | Country/Region | Value (USD) | Qty (units) | Unit Price (USD/unit) | Transactions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hong Kong, China | 2,080,384,306 | 796,019 | $2,613 | 176 |
| 2 | Denmark | 710,172,143 | 193,328 | $3,673 | 72 |
| 3 | United States | 677,936,171 | 239,399 | $2,832 | 212 |
| 4 | Switzerland | 512,765,840 | 126,822 | $4,043 | 74 |
| 5 | France | 352,656,836 | 63,944 | $5,515 | 74 |
| 6 | Taiwan, China | 259,089,141 | 88,565 | $2,925 | 94 |
| 7 | Singapore | 248,370,013 | 98,957 | $2,510 | 117 |
| 8 | South Korea | 160,873,420 | 44,022 | $3,654 | 138 |
| 9 | United Kingdom | 111,768,263 | 52,572 | $2,126 | 119 |
| 10 | Netherlands | 97,936,791 | 24,002 | $4,080 | 158 |
3. In-depth Data Interpretation
Structural Features
40-foot containers dominate alone
40-foot containers account for about 69% of total export value and are unquestionably the core category. Yet their export value fell about 21% YoY and volume about 15%, making them the main drag on overall exports.
Large-size boxes grow against the trend
45/48/53-foot containers grew about 63% in export value YoY, with volume more than doubling - the only segment posting positive growth among the four. This demand mainly comes from replacement of oversized and special boxes in Europe and the US, and is worth close follow-up by exporters.
Highly concentrated markets
Hong Kong, China alone takes 35.4%; together with Denmark and the United States it accounts for about 59% of export value, and the top ten markets about 89%. European countries such as Denmark, Switzerland, France and the Netherlands are mostly shipping leasing and transshipment hubs rather than end consumers.
Key Market Analysis
Hong Kong, China: the single largest market
Hong Kong leads exports with $2,080,384,306 and 796,019 units, a 35.4% share. Local Hong Kong does not consume such volumes; most are re-exports and regional distribution. Its unit price is about $2,613/unit, at a middle level. Over-reliance on Hong Kong is the biggest structural risk ahead.
Denmark / Switzerland / France: European leasing and transshipment hubs
Denmark ($710,172,143), Switzerland ($512,765,840) and France ($352,656,836) together exceed $1,575,594,819. These markets typically correspond to container leasing and allocation demand from liner companies such as Maersk; large order sizes and higher unit prices make them a relatively stable base.
United States: a traditional large market, but down in volume and price
US exports of $677,936,171 rank third, but fell markedly YoY, with a unit price of about $2,832/unit. Under route adjustments and inventory cycles, US-bound container exports are under short-term pressure.
Southeast Asia: small share but stable
Asian markets such as Singapore ($248,370,013) and South Korea ($160,873,420) take around 3%-4% each, with high transaction frequency (117 and 138 times) and a solid customer base - a direction worth mining for incremental growth.
4. 2026 Import & Export Trend Assessment
Favorable Factors
Recovery in demand for large-size containers: 45/48/53-foot export value grew about 63% YoY; orders for special and oversized boxes are recovering.
Stable demand from European leasing hubs: Maersk and other liner/leasing firms in Denmark, Switzerland and France form a solid base with strong order continuity.
Active RCEP regional trade: manufacturing and logistics demand in Singapore, South Korea and Southeast Asia supports mid/low-end box exports.
Container replacement cycle: replacement demand from an aging global fleet favours quality-stable Chinese suppliers.
Unfavorable Factors
40-foot core segment down in both volume and price: the segment with nearly 70%% of exports fell about 20%% YoY, directly dragging overall performance.
Total export volume declining: H1 export quantity fell about 21%, with external trade demand broadly weak.
Other-size boxes highly volatile: June export value dropped sharply to $3,125,700; demand and data stability are in doubt and need verification.
Market concentration risk: Hong Kong alone exceeds one third of exports; any swing in hub orders will weigh heavily on total exports.
Trend Outlook
As the core base its share is hard to replace, but weak demand makes a near-term return to growth unlikely.
45/48/53-foot units, benefiting from European/US replacement, are likely to post double-digit full-year growth.
Destination concentration will not change near-term; the base relies on these two market types.
If 40-foot fails to stabilise, full-year export value will likely fall below last year.
5. Foreign Trade Recommendations
Market Expansion
Hold Hong Kong and European hubs: maintain direct supply to Hong Kong re-exports and Danish/Swiss liner companies to protect the base.
Develop Southeast Asia: use Singapore, Thailand and South Korea as anchors; attend logistics fairs (e.g. TOC Asia) to reach regional buyers.
Test the Middle East and LatAm: port construction in Saudi Arabia and the UAE drives container procurement as a mid/long-term growth market.
Product Strategy
Tilt resources to large-size boxes: 45/48/53-foot units grow fastest; prioritise capacity and certification.
Improve 40-foot cost-performance: the core segment is under pressure; stabilise share via cost and lead-time optimisation.
Develop special boxes: refrigerated, open-top and other high-value types to diversify away from standard dry boxes.
Channel Optimisation
Bind with liner and leasing firms: set up direct sourcing with Maersk-linked lessors via Denmark, cutting middle links.
Build overseas warehouses and agents: regional nodes in Singapore and Dubai to lift delivery and local service.
Digital customer acquisition: use industry platforms and LinkedIn to reach ship-owner and logistics procurement decision-makers.
Risk Management
Reduce Hong Kong dependence: proactively develop SE Asia/Middle East clients to avoid single-hub shock.
Watch shipping cycles: freight and slot swings transmit to orders; adjust production dynamically.
FX and tenor management: exports are mostly USD-settled; use forward contracts to hedge RMB appreciation.
Conclusion
In H1 2026 Chinese container exports were broadly under pressure, with total value down about 18.5% YoY; the 40-foot core segment's volume-and-price decline is the main cause. Yet 45/48/53-foot large-size boxes grew about 63% against the trend, and Hong Kong plus European transshipment hubs supported the base. Under current conditions, firms should tilt resources toward large-size, high-value boxes while diversifying over-reliance on Hong Kong and European hubs via new markets in SE Asia and the Middle East, holding share and building rebound momentum through a weak-demand cycle.