China has 15-percent share in total inbound transport

At 5 percent, China‘s share in the value of total outbound transport from the Netherlands in 2018 was smaller than its share in the inbound flow of goods. Goods from China are mainly carried to the Netherlands in containers; of all incoming container shipments, over 30 percent originated from China.

The share of goods flows to and from China is smaller in terms of weight. In both directions, the goods have a relatively high average value per kilogram compared to goods flows in trade with other countries.

Nearly 10 percent of inbound goods for domestic use come from China

Over 20 percent of inbound shipments from China are destined for domestic consumption. These include consumer retail products and inputs to domestic businesses. They hold a 9-percent share in the total value of inbound goods for domestic consumption in the Netherlands.

China mainly occupies a high share in the import value of machinery and electronics (25 percent) and textiles, leather and leather products (21 percent). One-quarter of other goods come from China, including printed matter, furniture and various industrial products. China’s contribution to domestic imports of coal, natural gas, crude oil, coke, petroleum products, waste and secondary raw materials is very small.

China’s share larger in inbound goods for re-exports and transit trade

Aside from inbound transport for domestic use, 75 percent of incoming cargo from China is forwarded to other countries as transit goods and re-exports. China’s share in the value of these flows exceeds its share in domestic imports: 19 percent of transit goods and 16 percent of re-exports.

China’s contribution to the value of inbound transit trade was largest for machinery and electronics, textiles and leather, other mineral products and other goods. Transit goods are mainly destined for other EU countries, the neighbouring countries Germany and Belgium in particular. In terms of imports intended for re-exports as well, China’s share is largest for the other goods, textiles and leather and machinery and electronics.