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The 18 imports the Bahamas is best placed to replace.

The Bahamas imported USD 2.9bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 184m. These are the 18 that sit closest to what it already makes well, with how concentrated the supply of each is.

USD 418mthe 18, imported in 2024
20products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
117products the Bahamas already exports well
50product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The 18

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing the Bahamas already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in the Bahamas 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 Bahamas does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Electric generating sets: with compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel or semi-diesel...HS 850213

    Comes fromUnited States 96%, 6 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMachinery parts: not containing electrical connectors, insulators... (exports USD 1m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 512k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 18m
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 46m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Bahamas' export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); United States supplies 96 per cent (2).

    USD 46mfrom USD 5m in 2022
  2. 2

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

    Comes fromUnited States 68%, 46 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 15k
    Countries that export it well51

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 35m, top 14 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to the Bahamas' export strengths in the top 4 per cent (3); United States supplies 68 per cent (2).

    USD 35mup 35% on 2022
  3. 3

    Sauces and preparations therefor: mixed condiments and mixed seasoningsHS 210390

    Comes fromUnited States 97%, 25 source countries
    Nearest export strengthRum and other spirits obtained by distilling fermented sugar-cane... (exports USD 6m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 14k
    Countries that export it well45

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 20m, top 22 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to the Bahamas' export strengths in the top 6 per cent (3); United States supplies 97 per cent (2).

    USD 20mup 56% on 2022
  4. 4

    Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses...HS 300490

    Comes fromUnited States 36%, 31 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 232k
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 43m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Bahamas' export strengths in the top 10 per cent (3).

    USD 43mup 272% on 2022
  5. 5

    Food preparations: bakers' wares n.e.c. in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa: communion wafers, empty...HS 190590

    Comes fromUnited States 93%, 33 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 16k
    Countries that export it well47

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 37m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to the Bahamas' export strengths in the top 20 per cent (2); United States supplies 93 per cent (2).

    USD 37mup 54% on 2022
  6. 6

    Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308HS 730890

    Comes fromUnited States 30%, 34 source countries
    Nearest export strengthReservoirs, tanks, vats and similar containers: for any material... (exports USD 2m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 11m
    Countries that export it well33

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 81m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Bahamas' export strengths in the top 34 per cent (1).

    USD 81mup 17% on 2022
  7. 7

    Non-alcoholic beverages: other than non-alcoholic beer, n.e.c. in item no. 2202.10, not including fruit, nut or...HS 220299

    Comes fromUnited States 78%, 27 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 53k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 12m
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 20m, top 26 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to the Bahamas' export strengths in the top 26 per cent (1); United States supplies 78 per cent (2).

    USD 20mfrom USD 2m in 2022
  8. 8

    Aluminium: structures (excluding prefabricated buildings of heading no. 9406) and parts of structures, doors, windows...HS 761010

    Comes fromUnited States 72%, 19 source countries
    Nearest export strengthReservoirs, tanks, vats and similar containers: for any material... (exports USD 2m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 5k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 27m
    Countries that export it well33

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 18m, top 36 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to the Bahamas' export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1); United States supplies 72 per cent (2).

    USD 18mup 21% on 2022
  9. 9

    Meat preparations: sausages and similar products, of meat, meat offal, blood or insects, and food preparations based...HS 160100

    Comes fromUnited States 80%, 17 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 2k
    Countries that export it well37

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 14m, top 50 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to the Bahamas' export strengths in the top 38 per cent (1); United States supplies 80 per cent (2).

    USD 14mup 43% on 2022
  10. 10

    Beer: made from maltHS 220300

    Comes fromUnited States 72%, 24 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 7k
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 14m, top 52 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to the Bahamas' export strengths in the top 12 per cent (2); United States supplies 72 per cent (2).

    USD 14mdown 56% on 2022
  11. 11

    Spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages: n.e.c. in heading no. 2208HS 220890

    Comes fromUnited States 55%, 23 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 410k
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 12m, top 78 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to the Bahamas' export strengths in the top 2 per cent (3); United States supplies 55 per cent (1).

    USD 12mup 60% on 2022
  12. 12

    Machinery: for filtering or purifying waterHS 842121

    Comes fromUnited States 68%, 21 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMachinery parts: not containing electrical connectors, insulators... (exports USD 1m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 122k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 10m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 11m, top 84 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to the Bahamas' export strengths in the top 18 per cent (2); United States supplies 68 per cent (2).

    USD 11mdown 36% on 2022
  13. 13

    Cement: portland, other than white, whether or not artificially colouredHS 252329

    Comes fromUnited States 72%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 13m
    Countries that export it well54

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 11m, top 90 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to the Bahamas' export strengths in the top 16 per cent (2); United States supplies 72 per cent (2).

    USD 11mup 6% on 2022
  14. 14

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

    Comes fromUnited States 85%, 25 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 127k
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 13m, top 64 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to the Bahamas' export strengths in the top 32 per cent (1); United States supplies 85 per cent (2).

    USD 13mup 140% on 2022
  15. 15

    Iron or steel: articles n.e.c. in heading 7326HS 732690

    Comes fromUnited States 82%, 51 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAluminium: articles n.e.c. in heading 7616 (exports USD 4m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 56k
    Countries that export it well28

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 12m, top 68 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to the Bahamas' export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1); United States supplies 82 per cent (2).

    USD 12mup 21% on 2022
  16. 16

    Lifting, handling, loading or unloading machinery: n.e.c. in heading no. 8425, 8426, 8427 or 8428HS 842890

    Comes fromSpain 78%, 10 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMachinery parts: not containing electrical connectors, insulators... (exports USD 1m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3k
    Countries that export it well21

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 11m, top 82 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to the Bahamas' export strengths in the top 40 per cent (1); Spain supplies 78 per cent (2).

    USD 11mfrom USD 306k in 2022
  17. 17

    Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, containing indentations, ribs, grooves...HS 721420

    Comes fromUnited States 63%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well45

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 11m, top 88 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to the Bahamas' export strengths in the top 28 per cent (1); United States supplies 63 per cent (2).

    USD 11mup 180% on 2022
  18. 18

    Perfumes and toilet watersHS 330300

    Comes fromUnited States 90%, 22 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 1k
    Countries that export it well19

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 10m, top 96 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to the Bahamas' export strengths in the top 50 per cent (1); United States supplies 90 per cent (2).

    USD 10mup 17% 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 Bahamas 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.

  • Cranes: mobile lifting frames on tyres and straddle carriers imports USD 14m, exports USD 102k, top source China 95%
  • Machinery parts: not containing electrical connectors, insulators, coils... imports USD 14m, exports USD 1m, top source China 68%
How the 18 were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 50 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 Bahamas buys, and from whom: the trade lanes into the Bahamas.

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