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The twenty imports Taiwan is best placed to replace.

Taiwan imported USD 255bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 506bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well, with how concentrated the supply of each is.

USD 10bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
193products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
841products Taiwan already exports well
1513product 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 Taiwan already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Taiwan 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 Taiwan does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor boules or wafersHS 848610

    Comes fromJapan 58%, 15 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMachines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the... (exports USD 600m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 67m
    Countries that export it well4

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 612m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 5 per cent (3); Japan supplies 58 per cent (1).

    USD 612mup 3% on 2022
  2. 2

    Mechanical shovels, excavators and shovel loaders: with a 360 degree revolving super structureHS 842952

    Comes fromJapan 83%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 53m
    Countries that export it well11

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 204m, top 10 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 23 per cent (2); Japan supplies 83 per cent (2).

    USD 204mdown 8% on 2022
  3. 3

    Vehicles: with only electric motor for propulsionHS 870380

    Comes fromGermany 56%, 19 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m; 9 more lines in the heading, USD 6.4bn
    Countries that export it well10

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 1.5bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 21 per cent (2); Germany supplies 56 per cent (1).

    USD 1.5bnup 96% on 2022
  4. 4

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

    Comes fromUnited States 82%, 39 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 931m; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 1.9bn
    Countries that export it well12

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 1.4bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1); United States supplies 82 per cent (2).

    USD 1.4bnup 175% on 2022
  5. 5

    Electric accumulators: lithium-ion, including separators, whether or not rectangular (including square)HS 850760

    Comes fromChina 66%, 48 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAutomatic data processing machines: comprising in the same housing... (exports USD 913m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 703m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 169m
    Countries that export it well7

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 1.2bn, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 30 per cent (1); China supplies 66 per cent (2).

    USD 1.2bnup 17% on 2022
  6. 6

    Electrical apparatus: plugs and sockets, for a voltage not exceeding 1000 voltsHS 853669

    Comes fromChina 71%, 70 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 434m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 171m
    Countries that export it well15

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 1.1bn, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 38 per cent (1); China supplies 71 per cent (2).

    USD 1.1bnup 268% on 2022
  7. 7

    Glass: articles n.e.c. in chapter 70HS 702000

    Comes fromChina 54%, 41 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 103m
    Countries that export it well13

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 490m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 23 per cent (2); China supplies 54 per cent (1).

    USD 490mup 106% on 2022
  8. 8

    Lasers: other than laser diodesHS 901320

    Comes fromUnited States 40%, 37 source countries
    Nearest export strengthOptical appliances and instruments: parts and accessories for... (exports USD 63m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 84m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 20m
    Countries that export it well13

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 270m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 20 per cent (2); United States supplies 40 per cent (1).

    USD 270mdown 15% on 2022
  9. 9

    Iron or non-alloy steel: (not in coils), flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, without patterns in...HS 720851

    Comes fromJapan 70%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSteel, stainless: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, (not... (exports USD 19m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 42m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 35m
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 251m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1); Japan supplies 70 per cent (2).

    USD 251mdown 7% on 2022
  10. 10

    Wrist-watches: whether or not incorporating a stop-watch facility, with automatic windingHS 910221

    Comes fromSwitzerland 95%, 31 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 8m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 64m
    Countries that export it well6

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 202m, top 10 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 20 per cent (2); Switzerland supplies 95 per cent (2).

    USD 202mup 4% on 2022
  11. 11

    Flat panel display modules, whether or not incorporating touch-sensitive screens: of organic light-emitting diodes...HS 852492

    Comes fromChina 87%, 18 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFlat panel display modules, whether or not incorporating... (exports USD 3.2bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 30m
    Countries that export it well3

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 109m, top 19 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 21 per cent (2); China supplies 87 per cent (2).

    USD 109mup 200% on 2022
  12. 12

    Salts of oxometallic or peroxometallic acids: n.e.c. in heading no. 2841HS 284190

    Comes fromChina 65%, 22 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPhotographic goods: chemical preparations other than sensitised... (exports USD 335m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 10m
    Countries that export it well3

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 68m, top 28 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 8 per cent (3); China supplies 65 per cent (2).

    USD 68mup 82% on 2022
  13. 13

    Iron or non-alloy steel: semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel: containing by weight less than 0.25% of...HS 720712

    Comes fromJapan 52%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: in coils, without patterns in relief... (exports USD 969m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 52m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 1.2bn
    Countries that export it well14

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 469m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 41 per cent (1); Japan supplies 52 per cent (1).

    USD 469mdown 28% on 2022
  14. 14

    Air conditioning machines: with motor driven fan and elements for temperature control, parts thereofHS 841590

    Comes fromChina 44%, 48 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSound recording or reproducing apparatus: turntables (record-decks) (exports USD 16m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 60m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 344m
    Countries that export it well10

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 341m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 32 per cent (1); China supplies 44 per cent (1).

    USD 341mup 57% on 2022
  15. 15

    Vehicle parts: gear boxes and parts thereofHS 870840

    Comes fromJapan 53%, 48 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 84m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 158m
    Countries that export it well14

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 337m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1); Japan supplies 53 per cent (1).

    USD 337mup 25% on 2022
  16. 16

    Machinery: for filtering or purifying liquids, n.e.c. in item no. 8421.2HS 842129

    Comes fromJapan 43%, 52 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 64m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 550m
    Countries that export it well13

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 312m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 47 per cent (1); Japan supplies 43 per cent (1).

    USD 312mup 4% on 2022
  17. 17

    Headphones and earphones, whether or not combined with a microphone, and sets consisting of a microphone and one or...HS 851830

    Comes fromChina 58%, 52 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSound recording or reproducing apparatus: turntables (record-decks) (exports USD 16m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 87m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 62m
    Countries that export it well10

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 291m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1); China supplies 58 per cent (1).

    USD 291mup 444% on 2022
  18. 18

    Pumps: vacuumHS 841410

    Comes fromJapan 39%, 42 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMachine-tools: cold metal working presses, mechanical presses (exports USD 104m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 100m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 218m
    Countries that export it well11

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 284m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 25 per cent (2).

    USD 284mdown 9% on 2022
  19. 19

    Instruments and apparatus: using optical radiations (UV, visible, IR), (other than spectrometers, spectrophotometers...HS 902750

    Comes fromIsrael 43%, 43 source countries
    Nearest export strengthInstruments, appliances and machines: parts and accessories for... (exports USD 344m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 43m; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 386m
    Countries that export it well15

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 235m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 45 per cent (1); Israel supplies 43 per cent (1).

    USD 235mdown 26% on 2022
  20. 20

    Machinery, plant and laboratory equipment: for treating materials by change of temperature, other than for making hot...HS 841989

    Comes fromChina 47%, 44 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMachine-tools: grinding machines (excluding flat-surface), other... (exports USD 33m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 165m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 281m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 234m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Taiwan's export strengths in the top 28 per cent (1); China supplies 47 per cent (1).

    USD 234mup 45% 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 Taiwan 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.

  • Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the... imports USD 10bn, exports USD 3.0bn, top source Netherlands 28%
  • Electronic integrated circuits: memories imports USD 34bn, exports USD 28bn, top source South Korea 50%
  • Machines and apparatus of heading 8486: parts and accessories imports USD 5.1bn, exports USD 1.9bn, top source United States 31%
  • Instruments and apparatus: for measuring or checking semiconductor wafers or... imports USD 2.3bn, exports USD 398m, top source Malaysia 58%
  • Chemical elements: doped for use in electronics, in the form of discs, wafers... imports USD 3.0bn, exports USD 1.3bn, top source Japan 58%
  • Instruments, apparatus for measuring, checking electrical quantities, not... imports USD 1.6bn, exports USD 645m, top source Malaysia 23%
  • Photographic goods: chemical preparations other than sensitised emulsions, put... imports USD 1.0bn, exports USD 335m, top source Japan 84%
  • Steel, stainless: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, in coils, of a... imports USD 777m, exports USD 132m, top source Indonesia 77%
  • Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the... imports USD 883m, exports USD 317m, top source South Korea 31%
  • Steel, stainless: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, in coils, of a... imports USD 541m, exports USD 88m, top source Indonesia 91%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 1513 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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