UNITED KINGDOM-US Trade Profile

Comprehensive analysis of UNITED KINGDOM exports to the United States, including trade volumes, commodity breakdown, tariff rates, and logistics infrastructure.

Hedge tariff risk: Trade tariff prediction markets on Ballast Markets to lock in costs and protect margins against tariff changes affecting UNITED KINGDOM imports.

Trade Overview (2023)

| Metric | Value | |--------|-------| | Country | UNITED KINGDOM | | Country Code | GB | | Total US Imports | $104.48 billion (2023) | | Number of Products | 10+ HS codes tracked | | Tariff Exposure | 0-25% (MFN + potential Section 301/232) |

Top Import Categories

The United States imported 10+ different products from UNITED KINGDOM in 2023. Here are the top 10 by value:

1. Motor cars (HS 8703)

Import Value: $39.50 billion (37.8% of total)
HS Code: 8703
Tariff Rate: View HS 8703 GB tariff

Motor cars is a major export from UNITED KINGDOM, representing 37.8% of bilateral trade.

2. Blood/vaccines (HS 3002)

Import Value: $20.86 billion (20.0% of total)
HS Code: 3002
Tariff Rate: View HS 3002 GB tariff

Blood/vaccines is a major export from UNITED KINGDOM, representing 20.0% of bilateral trade.

3. Pharmaceutical products (HS 3004)

Import Value: $20.36 billion (19.5% of total)
HS Code: 3004
Tariff Rate: View HS 3004 GB tariff

Pharmaceutical products is a major export from UNITED KINGDOM, representing 19.5% of bilateral trade.

4. Motor vehicles for transport of goods (HS 8704)

Import Value: $7.39 billion (7.1% of total)
HS Code: 8704
Tariff Rate: View HS 8704 GB tariff

Motor vehicles for transport of goods is a major export from UNITED KINGDOM, representing 7.1% of bilateral trade.

5. Medical instruments (HS 9018)

Import Value: $3.66 billion (3.5% of total)
HS Code: 9018
Tariff Rate: View HS 9018 GB tariff

Medical instruments is a major export from UNITED KINGDOM, representing 3.5% of bilateral trade.

6. Centrifuges/filtering equipment (HS 8421)

Import Value: $3.08 billion (2.9% of total)
HS Code: 8421
Tariff Rate: View HS 8421 GB tariff

Centrifuges/filtering equipment is a major export from UNITED KINGDOM, representing 2.9% of bilateral trade.

7. Industrial machinery (HS 8479)

Import Value: $2.53 billion (2.4% of total)
HS Code: 8479
Tariff Rate: View HS 8479 GB tariff

Industrial machinery is a major export from UNITED KINGDOM, representing 2.4% of bilateral trade.

8. Pumps for liquids (HS 8413)

Import Value: $2.16 billion (2.1% of total)
HS Code: 8413
Tariff Rate: View HS 8413 GB tariff

Pumps for liquids is a major export from UNITED KINGDOM, representing 2.1% of bilateral trade.

9. Air/vacuum pumps (HS 8414)

Import Value: $1.99 billion (1.9% of total)
HS Code: 8414
Tariff Rate: View HS 8414 GB tariff

Air/vacuum pumps is a major export from UNITED KINGDOM, representing 1.9% of bilateral trade.

10. Radar apparatus (HS 8526)

Import Value: $0.62 billion (0.6% of total)
HS Code: 8526
Tariff Rate: View HS 8526 GB tariff

Radar apparatus is a major export from UNITED KINGDOM, representing 0.6% of bilateral trade.

Commodity Breakdown Table

| Rank | Product | HS Code | Import Value (2023) | Share of Total | |------|---------|---------|-------------------|----------------| | 1 | Motor cars | 8703 | $39.50B | 37.8% | | 2 | Blood/vaccines | 3002 | $20.86B | 20.0% | | 3 | Pharmaceutical products | 3004 | $20.36B | 19.5% | | 4 | Motor vehicles for transport of goods | 8704 | $7.39B | 7.1% | | 5 | Medical instruments | 9018 | $3.66B | 3.5% | | 6 | Centrifuges/filtering equipment | 8421 | $3.08B | 2.9% | | 7 | Industrial machinery | 8479 | $2.53B | 2.4% | | 8 | Pumps for liquids | 8413 | $2.16B | 2.1% | | 9 | Air/vacuum pumps | 8414 | $1.99B | 1.9% | | 10 | Radar apparatus | 8526 | $0.62B | 0.6% |

Tariff Landscape

Current Tariff Rates

MFN Tariff Rates: UNITED KINGDOM products enter under Most-Favored Nation rates:

Base Rates: 0-15% depending on HS classification
Average Rate: Varies by product category
Section 301 Risk: Potential additional tariffs if trade disputes arise
FTA Status: No current free trade agreement with US

Tariff Considerations:

Product-specific rates vary widely
No preferential access like USMCA countries
Lower than China but higher than Mexico/Canada

Tariff Impact by Product

View detailed tariff rates for specific UNITED KINGDOM products:

Logistics & Shipping

Major Trade Routes

UNITED KINGDOM goods typically ship to the US via:

Ocean Shipping:

Container services from major UNITED KINGDOM ports
Transit times: 7-25 days depending on route
Freight rates vary by season and capacity

US Ports of Entry:

Transit Times

| Route Type | Transit Time | Notes | |------------|-------------|-------| | Ocean Freight | 10-20 days | Port-to-port | | Air Freight | 3-7 days | Premium option | | Door-to-Door | 18-30 days | Including customs |

Risk Management

Supply Chain Risks

Tariff Volatility:

Moderate risk (potential Section 301 actions)
Policy changes can occur with 60-90 days notice
Effective tariff rates can double or triple

Logistics Risks:

Port congestion at US gateways
Regional supply chain bottlenecks
Seasonal capacity constraints

Hedging Strategies

1. Tariff Prediction Markets

Hedge UNITED KINGDOM tariff exposure using tariff prediction markets:

Example:

Exposure: $10M annual imports from UNITED KINGDOM
Current Tariff: 5-15%
Hedge: Buy "GB-US Tariff > 25%" position
Protection: Payout offsets increased duty costs

2. Sourcing Diversification

Don't rely solely on UNITED KINGDOM:

Blend UNITED KINGDOM with multiple regions
Reduce concentration risk
Maintain supply chain flexibility

3. USMCA Optimization

Consider shifting production to USMCA countries:

Mexico/Canada offer 0% tariffs
Shorter supply chains
Lower tariff risk

Related Resources

UNITED KINGDOM Ports - Major export gateways
Tariff Hedging Strategies - Risk management
Section 301 Tariffs - China trade actions
Container Shipping Routes - UNITED KINGDOM-US logistics

Sources

U.S. Census Bureau International Trade Data (2023)
Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Ballast Markets bilateral trade analysis

Risk Disclosure

This content is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, or trade advice. Tariff rates are subject to change based on government policy and bilateral negotiations. Trade statistics may have reporting delays. Verify current rates and compliance requirements with customs brokers and trade advisors. Prediction markets involve risk of loss.

Disclaimer

Ballast Markets provides this content as a free educational resource for the global trade community. Trade data is sourced from official U.S. government sources but may contain errors or be outdated. For sourcing and compliance decisions, always verify with customs brokers and industry experts.

Last updated: 2025-11-04