State of Israel
Press Release
[email protected] www.cbs.gov.il Fax: 02-6521340
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Previous Press Release on Foreign Trade appeared on May 17, 2016
Jerusalem,
May 7, 2017
123/2017
Imports of Goods by Country of Origin 2016
Imports of Goods by Country of Origin from China and the USA
Represented 25.9% of Total Imports (Excl. Diamonds)
In 2016:

25.9% of the imports (excl. diamonds) originated from two countries: China - 13.5%
and the U.S.A. - 12.3%.

47.8% of the imports (excl. diamonds) originated from six countries.
Tables
Data on imports of goods by country of origin1 complement the data published monthly on imports of
goods by country of purchase2. Publishing data on imports by country of origin in addition to the data
on imports by country of purchase shows the direct relationship between the country in which the goods
were manufactured and the country in which they were purchased. This relationship is important for the
determination of foreign trade policy and agreements (e.g. most-favored-nation treatment, quotas and
other restrictions…).
Data on imports of goods by country of origin are based on data received from the customs office
regarding goods that passed through customs. The data do not include goods for military use or
imports form the Palestinian Authority. Dollar values refer to US dollars.
1
United Nations, International Merchandise Trade Statistics: Concepts and definitions, New York, 2010, page 48-52.
Imports of goods data by country of origin (the country that the goods were produced at) represent the direct connection between the country
which produces the goods and between the importing country. This data essential for trade of goods policy needs and negotiation for setting
prices, import taxes, etc., between countries.
2
In the current statistics which is published monthly by the Central Bureau of Statistics, the importing country is defined as the "country of
purchase", which is the country that the supplier account of the goods is being sent to Israeli importer. In some cases the country of
purchase is different from the country of origin (the country of production) of the same goods. And hence, differences, sometimes essential,
exist in examining the import by two definitions.
Written by Shimon Vinokur and Yaron Marcus - Foreign Trade Sector
For explanations and clarifications regarding the contents of this Press Release,
Please contact the Press Relations Unit, at 02-6527845
Main Findings
Imports of goods by country of origin (excl. diamonds) in 2016 were 58.7 billion dollars (up 6.3% from
2015). 13.5% ($7.9 billion) of the total imports (excl. diamonds) originated from China and 12.3%
originated from the U.S.A. ($7.2 billion), down by 0.1% and 2.2% respectively compared with 2015.
Imports by country of origin (incl. diamonds)
The main countries of origin (at least $2 billion) in 2016 were: China ($8.0 billion), U.S.A. ($7.9 billion),
Germany ($4.3 billion), Belgium ($3.2 billion), Italy ($3.2 billion), Turkey ($2.7 billion) and Japan ($2.7
billion).
Compared with 2015 there was a significant decrease in imports (of at least 20% in countries where at
least $50 million worth of imports originated) that originated from: Cyprus (27.2%), Russian Federation
(26.0%), Sri Lanka (25.1%), Ukraine (23.4%) and Ethiopia (20.0%). Conversely, there was a significant
increase in imports (of at least 20% in countries where at least $50 million worth of imports originated)
that originated from: Japan (85.1%), Ireland (54.1%), Czech Republic (52.9%), Singapore (51.5%),
Philippines (36.2%), Mexico (33.7%), South Korea (32.6%), Lithuania (30.9%), Netherlands (30.3%),
Hungary (29.9%), Brazil (28.2%), Bulgaria (23.9%), Norway (23.0%), the United Kingdom (21.6%) and
Portugal (20.8%).
Imports by Country of Origin 2016
2
07/05/2017
Imports by country of origin (excl. diamonds)
The main countries of origin (at least $2 billion) in 2016 were: China ($7.9 billion), U.S.A. ($7.2 billion),
Germany ($4.3 billion), Italy ($3.2 billion), Turkey ($2.7 billion) and Japan ($2.7 billion).
Compared with 2015 there was a significant decrease in imports (of at least 20% in countries where at
least $50 million worth of imports originated) that originated from: Russian Federation (35.6%), Cyprus
(28.7%), Ukraine (23.3%) and Ethiopia (20.0%). Conversely, there was a significant increase in imports
(of at least 20% in countries where at least $50 million worth of imports originated) that originated from:
Japan (89.1%), Ireland (54.1%), Czech Republic (53.0%), Singapore (47.7%), Philippines (36.2%),
Mexico (33.7%), South Korea (32.6%), Lithuania (30.6%), Netherlands (30.3%), Hungary (29.8%),
Brazil (27.6%), Bulgaria (23.9%), Norway (23.0%), the United Kingdom (22.6%) and Portugal (20.8%).
Imports by Country of Origin 2016
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07/05/2017
Differences between imports by country of origin and imports by country of purchase (incl.
diamonds)
Due to accelerated growth in international trade, in globalization, in trade on the stock market and in the
number of international companies, the number of goods for which the country of origin is different than
the country of purchase has grown.
The countries with significantly more imports by country of purchase than imports by country of origin
were: Switzerland, U.K., Netherlands, Singapore, Belgium, Hong Kong and Jordan (countries with a
plus sign in table 3 and graph 4).
The countries with significantly less imports by country of purchase than imports by country of origin
were: China, Russian Federation, Ukraine, Italy, Japan, Czech Republic and Germany (countries with a
minus sign in table 3 and graph 4).
Monthly files by country of origin and HS are published at the Bureau's Website.
Related links and publications
Definitions and Explanations
Imports by Country of Origin 2016
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07/05/2017