Importing products from overseas is a major industry in the United States. Hundreds of companies bring in goods from other countries to sell to American consumers and businesses. This importing activity impacts our economy and daily lives in many ways.
In this blog post, we will highlight the top 10 companies importing products into the USA based on total value of imports. We’ll discuss what types of goods they import, where they source from, their business operations, and more useful details for readers.
Our goal is to showcase leading American importers and provide insight into this vital commercial sector. There’s a good chance you’ve purchased imported items from some of these companies!
Overview of Major Products Imported to USA
But first, let’s look at the biggest categories of imports coming into the United States:
- Vehicles and Machinery – These complex products require sophisticated manufacturing expertise. Many originate from Japan, Germany, and Canada.
- Oil – Although a major oil producer, the USA still brings in billions in petroleum from Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Mexico to meet demand.
- Consumer Electronics – China and Mexico are leading sources feeding Americans’ voracious appetite for smartphones, TVs, computers, and gadgets.
- Medical Supplies – European countries and China supply many pharmaceuticals, devices, components to our healthcare system.
- Furniture – Low-cost manufacturing has made China dominant in supplying furniture to American homes and offices.
Those are just a few examples – there are countless imported products we rely on from apparel to toys to food items.
Now let’s get into the major players handling these imports and more. The top 10 import companies trading in the USA are:
Top 10 U.S. Import Companies by Total Value of Goods Imported
| Rank | Company | Total Value of Imports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Walmart | $200 billion |
| 2 | General Motors | $114 billion |
| 3 | Ford Motors | $70 billion |
| 4 | Target Stores | $50 billion |
| 5 | Samsung Electronics | $45 billion |
| 6 | Home Depot | $43 billion |
| 7 | Nike | $27 billion |
| 8 | Dell Technologies | $25 billion |
| 9 | GAP | $23 billion |
| 10 | Lowe’s | $20 billion |
Quite the list spanning electronics, retail, fashion, and automotive! Now allow me to profile each import giant.
#1 – Walmart
Not just the world’s top retailer, Walmart is actually America’s leading importer when tallying all purchasing of foreign goods. This multinational behemoth runs a sophisticated global sourcing operation, importing from around 30 countries to stock its thousands of stores with apparel, toys, home goods, pantry staples, electronics, and just about anything consumers need.
Walmart imports massive container loads of popular Chinese-made products like iPhones, laptops, TVs, shoes, furniture, and more to sell at disruptively low prices. Beyond China, Walmart also sources heavily from manufacturing hubs like Vietnam, India, Bangladesh, Honduras, and Mexico. The mega retailer is essentially an import platform for global exporters to access American shoppers. Walmart’s distribution infrastructure allows it to import and transport foreign goods to stores with brutal efficiency.
#2 – General Motors
Iconic American carmaker GM has manufacturing spread across the globe – it’s one of the world’s largest vehicle producers. While trucks like the Silverado are assembled in the USA, General Motors imports many models designed overseas. Vehicles imported and sold include:
- The subcompact Chevrolet Spark from South Korea
- Luxury Cadillac XTS sedan from China
- Popular Chevrolet Blazer, Equinox, and Trax SUVs from Mexico
- Various smaller passenger cars from Mexico, China, and South Korea
Beyond finished vehicles, GM and other automakers import a sizable number of parts from around the world – electronics, glass, castings, fabrics, stampings, and components that are manufactured more economically abroad. In fact, some estimates show that over 30% of the value of U.S. branded cars actually comes from imported materials and technology.
#3 – Ford Motors
The Blue Oval is another iconic American automotive brand that relies heavily on imports. Ford obtains and assembles finished vehicles and components from its own foreign factories as well as external suppliers abroad. Imports in Ford’s lineup include:
- EcoSport subcompact SUV from India
- Ranger midsize pickup truck from Thailand
- Fiesta and Focus small cars from Mexico
- Transit cargo vans from Turkey
Ford also owns luxury import brands like Britain’s Land Rover and Jaguar. And just like GM, Ford vehicles that roll off American assembly lines use many imported parts like computer chips, sensors, and fabrics despite their “Made in USA” sticker.
#4 – Target Stores
This major big-box retailer operates over 1,800 Target stores plus digital commerce to serve American shoppers. While far smaller in imports than Walmart, Target still manages to import nearly $50 billion a year from around the world. Store aisles are stocked with apparel, home goods, kitchenware, electronic devices, toys, sporting goods, furniture, food items, and more…all imported by Target’s sourcing offices.
China enjoys strong presence on Target’s shelves, but the company notes goods originating from over 40 nations globally. Sourcing diversity helps Target mitigate risk and cost pressures. Popular Target private label brands like Room Essentials, Cat & Jack, and Goodfellow are also commonly made in textile/furniture factories spanning Asia and Central America.
#5 – Samsung Electronics
The lone tech manufacturer in this top importers group, Samsung is the South Korean electronics giant with worldwide leadership in semiconductors, displays, appliances and other consumer/industrial products. Many of course recognize their Galaxy smartphones, QLED TVs and smart home appliances selling widely across America.
Samsung operates vast manufacturing complexes in Korea and other parts of Asia to produce advanced components and finished products exported globally. Their U.S. arm relays strong demand signals to Samsung’s overseas operations regarding what American consumers and businesses want to purchase. Imports arrive at west coast ports and airports daily to supply stores and distribution centers – nearly $45 billion worth per year!
#6 – Home Depot
Another specialty retailer rounding out the top importers list. As America’s leading home improvement warehouse chain, Home Depot imports an enormous variety of building materials, lumber, tools, appliances, lawn equipment, plumbing gear, and other hardware to supply weekend warriors and pros.
Store aisles feature products from all over the world – drills from China, toilets from Canada, tiles from Italy, cabinets from Indonesia, and cement from Mexico. Savvy sourcing keeps prices competitive on essential items homeowners need for remodeling projects. Home Depot operates over 2,000 warehouses nationally with a highly efficient logistics backbone to handle massive import volumes.
#7 – Nike
Dominant sportswear brand Nike is the only apparel firm in this group. However, Nike now outsources essentially 100% of manufacturing to factories across Asia and Latin America. Legendary Nike shoes, athletic wear and sports gear arrives at U.S. ports constantly to feed intense consumer demand.
Virtually no production remains in the USA – only design, marketing and local customization of imported Nike goods. Manufacturing is concentrated in lower-cost countries like Vietnam, China, Indonesia and Mexico. Nike maintains strong oversight and standards for contracted factories producing swoosh-branded gear. High-volume imports of footwear, apparel and equipment contribute over $27 billion annually to Nike’s staggering U.S. sales.
#8 – Dell Technologies
Prolific PC company Dell is the second tech brand in this list, focused on commercial information technology markets rather than consumer gadgets. Dell imports computers, monitors, printers, accessories and enterprise gear sold to businesses, government agencies and other large customers.
Production bases in China, Malaysia, Taiwan manufacture products according to Dell’s build-to-order model – only assembling items after customers spec out orders. Keeping limited finished goods inventory allows Dell to maintain efficient direct-to-customer sales. Dell also operates U.S. manufacturing to fulfill certain government contracts requiring American-made IT goods. Altogether, Dell imports around $25 billion annually to fuel its corporate sales.
#9 – GAP
Owner of apparel brands like Old Navy, Banana Republic and Athleta in addition to the GAP flagship. This specialty retailer operates nearly 3,000 total U.S. stores under these various banners. And similar to Nike, GAP currently imports essentially 100% of goods sold from an overseas supply base – primarily in Asia, India, Central America.
Years ago, GAP clothing was commonly manufactured domestically, but hyper competitive pricing from foreign factories pulled virtually all production out of America. Certain finishing touches may occur stateside. GAP’s design offices still craft their collections in America before relaying specifications to contracted manufacturers abroad that handle cutting, sewing and fabrication work. About $23 billion in imported apparel feeds all GAP Brands stores and online orders annually.
#10 – Lowe’s
The second largest U.S. home improvement retailer behind Home Depot. Lowe’s operates nearly 2,000 warehouse stores nationally focused on builders and DIY homeowners. Product assortment mirrors that of rival Home Depot – lumber, tools, lighting, appliances, plants and more to furnish projects. Lowe’s manages a sophisticated import operation from its North Carolina headquarters to stock shelves with foreign-made inventory.
Sourcing offices dot key Asian manufacturing hubs to oversee vendors producing Lowe’s private label brands like Kobalt, Project Source, Portfolio and Blue Hawk. Factories in places like China, Vietnam Taiwan churn out affordable product collections exclusive to Lowe’s. Imports also include big ticket items like washing machines, patio sets, ceiling fans – continually arriving at U.S. points to replenish stores. Overseas supply combined with domestic stock allows Lowe’s to assemble the right product mix assisting shoppers.
Future Import Projections
So there you have it – America’s 10 largest importers revealed! Much can be gleaned from studying major flows of imported merchandise crossing our borders to satisfy commercial and consumer demand. Imports contribute trillions in economic activity and support millions of jobs despite some overly negative perceptions surrounding foreign trade.
Projections actually point to accelerating U.S. import expansion in the years ahead across many sectors:
- Retailers will cater more to ecommerce sales growth demanding global sourcing capability
- Autos and Machinery will incorporate more electronics, software and technology inputs best obtained from specialized foreign supply chains
- Energy imports expected to rise as production struggles to keep pace with consumption
- Food import levels to climb as Americans demand greater variety year-round off seasonal domestic crops
Trade deficits often debated in the public sphere matter much less than overall import volume contributions to America’s economic engine. As the above companies demonstrate through massive importing scale, foreign goods remain essential to nourish both business operations and household needs within the world’s largest economy.
Summary and Conclusion
We outlined 10 leading US companies across retail, autos, technology, apparel and home improvement responsible for importing over $600 billion annually from abroad. The list reveals how deeply intertwined American business is with global supply chains exporting foreign made goods stateside.
Whether cars on dealership lots, computers in offices, clothes in family closets, or pantry items in homes – imports touch every facet of life. These companies along with thousands more will continue sourcing foreign products, components and materials critical for their customers. Expanding import activity expected in coming years as American spenders crave more overseas goods and global exporters work to satisfy those desires.
