U.S. Pharmaceutical Imports By Country 2025

Key Takeaways about the U.S. Pharmaceutical Imports By Country 2025

• India leads U.S. pharmaceutical imports by country in 2025 at US$13.39 billion (18.44%), driven by generic drug supply, followed by Germany (US$7.83 billion) and Belgium (US$5.14 billion).
• Sterile surgical materials (HS 300600) dominate U.S. pharmaceutical imports at US$26.60 billion (36.61%), with first-aid kits (HS 300650) close behind at US$25.51 billion (35.11%).
• The top 5 suppliers — India, Germany, Belgium, China, and South Korea — account for 47.21% of total U.S. pharmaceutical import value, with China carrying the largest shipment volume at 18.06%.

U.S. pharmaceutical imports by country 2025: Which country exports the most pharmaceuticals to the US?

India exported the most pharmaceuticals to the U.S. in 2025 at US$13.39 billion, followed by Germany at US$7.83 billion and Belgium at US$5.14 billion.

Combined, the three suppliers account for roughly 36.29% of total U.S. pharmaceutical import value, with the remaining flow split across China, South Korea, and other European and Asian partners across HS codes 3001–3006, based on shipment-level records verified through official TradeInt's verified global trade database.

Who are the top 5 sources of U.S. pharmaceutical imports by country?

1. India: US$13.39 billion (18.44% quantity share) - Anchors U.S. generic drug supply across HS 3006, 3004, and 3003, with deep specialization in sterile surgical materials and high-volume packaged medicaments that reduce U.S. hospital and pharmacy costs at scale.
2. Germany: US$7.83 billion (10.77% quantity share) - Supplies precision-engineered emergency kits, sterile surgical materials, and diagnostic reagents under HS 3006, 3005, and 3004, supporting U.S. hospital readiness and lab infrastructure with high-margin, FDA-compliant output.
3. Belgium: US$5.14 billion (7.08% quantity share) - Functions as a European pharmaceutical logistics hub channeling HS 3006 sterile surgical materials and HS 3005 emergency kits into U.S. hospitals, with a balanced dual-line output profile.
4. China: US$4.38 billion (6.03% quantity share, 18.06% shipment share) - Carries the largest shipment volume of any partner via high-frequency, lower-unit-value flows of HS 3006 and 3005 inputs, APIs, and diagnostic reagents critical to U.S. clinical screening.
5. South Korea: US$3.55 billion (4.89% quantity share) - Specializes in HS 3006 sterile surgical essentials and HS 3005 emergency supplies, with growing exports of biosimilars and biocompatible materials reinforcing U.S. clinical-grade procurement diversification.

EU members combined (Germany, Belgium, Italy, France, and the Netherlands) supply 29.93% of pharmaceutical imports to the US by country value, while India alone covers another 18.44%.

According to India Briefing's 2025-26 tariff analysis, around 53% of patented drugs consumed in the U.S. are manufactured abroad, and only 15% of active pharmaceutical ingredients are produced domestically by volume, underscoring the structural dependence on these supplier lanes.

However, U.S. tariff policy is the defining variable for 2025 flows.

The Swissinfo's 2025 timeline news discussed that a 100% U.S. tariff on branded and patented pharmaceutical products took effect on October 1, 2025, with construction-stage U.S. manufacturing plants exempted. Generic drugs were subsequently excluded, keeping India's high-volume generic channel (roughly 47% of U.S. generic prescriptions per IQVIA data cited by Business Today) largely intact.

On the other hand, China's 18.06% shipment share is against a 6.03% quantity share, signaling high-frequency, lower-unit-value flows (APIs, bulk excipients, and packaging-stage materials), a movement that the Atlantic Council links to deepening bilateral upstream dependence in the U.S.

Top 1 U.S. pharmaceutical imports by country: India at US$13.4 billion

How many of the US pharmaceuticals are imported from India?

US$13.39 billion of U.S. pharmaceutical value was imported to the U.S. from India in 2025. The most demanding products are sterile surgical materials at US$7.25 billion, 54.15%, first-aid kits at US$2.24 billion, 16.69%, and hormone-based products with US$2.00 billion, 14.94%.

Top 5 pharmaceutical product categories from India to the U.S. in 2025:

1. HS 300600 - Sterile surgical materials: US$7.25 billion (54.15% of India's total). Diversifies the supply of critical sterile materials, mitigating the risk of domestic shortages in surgery and wound care.
2. HS 300650 - First-aid boxes and kits: US$2.24 billion (16.69%). Ensures a cost-effective, reliable supply of essential emergency materials for public health and safety sectors.
3. HS 300660 - Hormone-based pharmaceutical products: US$2.00 billion (14.94%). Increases the affordability of family planning products, supporting public health initiatives through competitive global pricing.
4. HS 300630 - Diagnostic reagents: US$477 million (5.60%). Lowers costs for medical imaging and diagnostics, reducing overhead for hospitals and healthcare providers.
5. HS 300400 - Packaged medicaments: US$392 million (2.92%). Provides high-volume generic drugs, drastically reducing US healthcare costs and improving patient treatment accessibility.

Key dynamics shaping India-to-U.S. pharmaceutical imports in 2025-2026:

• Generic drug dominance: Indian-made versions of widely prescribed medicines such as metformin, atorvastatin, and losartan are central to U.S. pharmacy fulfillment, with disruptions translating quickly into shelf-availability pressure.
• Continuity of major exporters: Reuters reported that leading Indian exporters Cipla, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, and Aurobindo Pharma are projected to retain U.S. market dominance in the generic segment through 2026.
• Supply chain localization: Indian drugmakers are expanding U.S.-based manufacturing partnerships to shorten lead times to American hospital and pharmacy buyers, reinforcing the structural depth of the India-to-U.S. pharmaceutical lane and supporting more consistent shelf availability across U.S. retail channels.

Top 2 U.S. pharmaceutical imports by country: Germany at US$7.83 billion

Germany ranks second in U.S. pharmaceutical imports by country in 2025, exporting US$7.83 billion. The flow is led by HS 300650 (first-aid kits, US$3.27 billion, 41.76%), HS 300600 (sterile surgical materials, US$2.50 billion, 31.88%), and HS 300660 (hormone-based products, US$553 million, 7.06%).

Top 5 pharmaceutical product categories from Germany to the U.S. in 2025:

1. HS 300650 - First-aid boxes and kits: US$3.27 billion (41.76%). Ensures premium emergency preparedness through standardized kits meeting rigorous US safety regulations for first-response and industrial sectors.
2. HS 300600 - Sterile surgical materials: US$2.50 billion (31.88%). Secures the US supply chain for niche sterile products, leveraging German manufacturing precision to prevent critical hospital shortages.
3. HS 300660 - Hormone-based pharmaceutical products: US$553 million (7.06%). Strengthens US family planning markets by providing high-standard, hormone-based products that strictly comply with 2025 FDA quality benchmarks.
4. HS 300610 - Sterile surgical sutures: US$374 million (4.78%). Crucial for US surgical outcomes; German precision-engineered sutures provide the reliability needed for complex, high-stakes medical operations.
5. HS 300630 - Diagnostic reagents: US$358 million (4.57%). Vital for high-resolution US medical imaging; German reagents ensure the consistency required for accurate, early-stage disease diagnosis.

Key dynamics shaping Germany-to-U.S. pharmaceutical imports in 2025-2026:

• Contract manufacturing leadership: The GlobalData analysis covered by TechTarget noted that Germany led European contract manufacturing deals with U.S. biopharma companies in 2025, with major U.S. firms such as Johnson & Johnson and Vertex Pharmaceuticals routing manufacturing through German facilities to secure supply.
• Surgical and diagnostic specialization: German precision-engineered sterile materials, surgical sutures, and high-resolution diagnostic reagents serve U.S. hospital procurement channels where reliability and consistency are critical for surgical and early-stage disease diagnosis applications.
• Emergency-preparedness pipeline: German standardized first-aid kits and emergency supplies meet rigorous U.S. safety and FDA quality benchmarks, anchoring procurement by U.S. industrial, first-response, and consumer sectors.

Top 3 U.S. pharmaceutical imports by country: Belgium - US$5.14 billion

Belgium is the third-largest source of U.S. pharmaceutical imports by country in 2025, exporting US$5.14 billion. The top products are split nearly evenly between HS 300600 (sterile surgical materials, US$2.19 billion, 42.59%) and HS 300650 (first-aid kits, US$2.18 billion, 42.43%), with HS 300660 (hormone-based products, US$247 million, 4.80%) ranking 3rd.

Top 5 pharmaceutical product categories from Belgium to the U.S. in 2025:

• HS 300600 - Sterile surgical materials: US$2.19 billion (42.59%). Provides specialized sterile surgical materials, leveraging Belgian manufacturing precision to secure US hospital supply chains against global shortages.
• HS 300650 - First-aid boxes and kits: US$2.18 billion (42.43%). Ensures premium emergency preparedness via high-standard kits, supporting US workplace safety and regulatory compliance through reliable European logistics.
• HS 300660 - Hormone-based pharmaceutical products: US$247 million (4.80%). Secures US access to high-quality hormonal contraceptives, fostering market stability and public health through Belgium's advanced biopharmaceutical production.
• HS 300640 - Dental cements and other dental fillings: US$107 million (2.09%). Vital for US dental healthcare; provides high-performance cements essential for restorative procedures and skeletal reconstruction in specialized clinics.
• HS 300500 - Wadding, gauze, and bandages: US$101 million (1.96%). Guarantees high-grade clinical wound care supplies, bolstering US healthcare resilience through Belgium's global-leading pharmaceutical distribution and logistics.

Key dynamics shaping Belgium-to-U.S. pharmaceutical imports in 2025-2026:

• Major manufacturing footprint: Large-scale production sites operated by Pfizer (Puurs), GSK, Janssen Pharmaceutica, and UCB anchor Belgian pharmaceutical output destined for the U.S. market, particularly in branded finished-dose categories.
• Sterile and emergency-supply balance: Belgian exporters supply U.S. hospitals with both specialized sterile surgical materials and standardized emergency kits at a comparable scale, leveraging Belgium's European logistics infrastructure for fast, reliable U.S. delivery.
• Specialized clinical categories: Belgian dental cements, hormonal contraceptives, and wound-care bandages serve U.S. specialty clinics and reproductive health markets, complementing the surgical-grade and emergency-preparedness export mix.

Top 4 U.S. pharmaceutical imports by country: China - US$4.38 billion

How many US pharmaceuticals are imported from China?

U.S. pharmaceutical imports from China were valued at US$4.38 billion in 2025, but it holds the largest shipment share at 18.06%, exceeding India's 15.03%. Among the top importing products, HS 300650 (first-aid kits, US$1.89 billion, 35.31%) accounted for the highest in value, HS 300600 (sterile surgical materials, US$1.34 billion, 25.02%), and HS 300630 (diagnostic reagents, US$479 million, 8.95%).

Top 5 pharmaceutical product categories from China to the U.S. in 2025:

• HS 300650 - First-aid boxes and kits: US$1.89 billion (35.31%). Provides affordable, mass-market emergency supplies, ensuring US workplaces and homes maintain safety standards at significantly lower costs.
• HS 300600 - Sterile surgical materials: US$1.34 billion (25.02%). Secures high-volume sterile surgical essentials, helping US hospitals stabilize inventory and mitigate price spikes for routine medical care.
• HS 300630 - Diagnostic reagents: US$479 million (8.95%). Lowers US medical imaging expenses by supplying affordable, high-volume reagents, facilitating low-cost screening for millions of patients.
• HS 300660 - Hormone-based pharmaceutical products: US$477 million (8.91%). Enhances reproductive health accessibility by providing cost-effective hormonal options, preventing domestic price surges through strong global competition.
• HS 300640 - Dental cements and dental fillings: US$341 million (6.36%). Supplies cost-efficient restorative materials for US dental clinics, reducing overhead for providers and patient costs for routine care.

Key dynamics shaping China-to-U.S. pharmaceutical imports in 2025-2026:

• API and ingredient dependence: The U.S.-China Business Council assessment specified that Chinese suppliers account for a significant share of active pharmaceutical ingredients used in cardiovascular, antibiotic, and oncology medicines consumed by U.S. patients.
• High-frequency shipment pattern: China supplies the largest volume of pharmaceutical shipments to the U.S. among all source countries, with Chinese exporters specializing in affordable, mass-market emergency supplies, sterile surgical essentials, and diagnostic reagents for high-volume screening.
• Cost-driven category strength: Chinese hormonal contraceptives and dental restoration materials enter the U.S. retail pharmacy and clinic channels at competitive price points, supporting cost-sensitive segments of American reproductive health and routine dental care.

Top 5 U.S. imports of pharmaceuticals by country: South Korea - US$3.55 billion

South Korea is the fifth-largest source of U.S. pharmaceutical imports by country in 2025, exporting US$3.55 billion. HS 300600 (sterile surgical materials, US$1.85 billion, 52.24%) is the highest-value product imported; next are HS 300650 (first-aid kits, US$761 million, 21.44%) and HS 300640 (dental cements, US$204 million, 5.75%).

Top 5 pharmaceutical product categories from South Korea to the U.S. in 2025:

1. HS 300600 - Sterile surgical materials: US$1.85 billion (52.24%). Provides high-quality, sterile surgical essentials to support US clinical safety and mitigate risks of hospital supply chain disruptions.
2. HS 300650 - First-aid boxes and kits: US$761 million (21.44%). Secures reliable, high-standard emergency supplies for the US industrial and consumer sectors, ensuring consistent public safety and preparedness.
3. HS 300640 - Dental cements and dental fillings: US$204 million (5.75%). Vital for the US dental industry, South Korea's high-precision restorative materials drive down costs for specialized clinics.
4. HS 300660 - Hormone-based pharmaceutical products: US$197 million (5.56%). Stabilizes the US reproductive health market by providing cost-effective, high-quality hormonal products that meet strict FDA regulatory standards.
5. HS 300590 - Wadding, gauze, and similar articles: US$115 million (3.24%). Delivers innovative, bio-compatible wound care solutions, leveraging South Korea's medical technology to enhance US patient recovery and efficiency.

Key dynamics shaping South Korea-to-U.S. pharmaceutical imports in 2025-2026:

• Biosimilar export specialists: On Navlin Daily, Korean biopharma firms, including Celltrion and Samsung Bioepis, hold significant U.S. commercial pipelines in biosimilars, an area of growing importance for U.S. clinical-grade pharmaceutical procurement.
• Surgical and bio-compatible materials: South Korean exporters supply high-quality sterile surgical essentials and innovative wound-care solutions to U.S. hospitals, leveraging Korean medical technology and precision manufacturing to support clinical safety.
• U.S. manufacturing partnerships: The Hit News Korea also highlighted that Korean biotech and pharma firms have continued accelerating investments in U.S.-based manufacturing partnerships through 2025-2026, supporting localized supply continuity for American hospital and clinic buyers.

Conclusion

U.S. pharmaceutical imports by country in 2025 remain heavily concentrated among five suppliers — India (US$13.39 billion, 18.44%), Germany (US$7.83 billion, 10.77%), and Belgium (US$5.14 billion, 7.08%) lead the ranking, followed by China and South Korea. On the product side, sterile surgical materials (HS 300600, US$26.60 billion), first-aid boxes and kits (HS 300650, US$25.51 billion), and hormone-based pharmaceutical products (HS 300660, US$5.87 billion) anchor 79.80% of total U.S. pharmaceutical import value.

The data confirms a multi-source, multi-category supplier base supporting U.S. hospital procurement, emergency preparedness, and retail pharmacy channels through 2025-2026.

To verify pharmaceutical imports to the US by country at the shipment level, identify suppliers by HS code, product name, or company name, and benchmark unit values across 200+ countries, book a demo with TradeInt.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does America import pharmaceuticals?

The U.S. imported approximately US$72.6 billion in pharmaceuticals across the top 10 source countries in 2025, from TradeInt data. Sterile surgical materials, first-aid kits, and hormone-based products together represent 79.80% of the total U.S. pharmaceutical import value.

Where do most pharmaceuticals in the US come from?

India is the top source of U.S. pharmaceutical imports by country in 2025, supplying US$13.39 billion or 18.44% of quantity share, verified by TradeInt U.S. Customs import data. India is followed by Germany, Belgium, China, and South Korea among the leading partners.

What are the top 5 sources of U.S. pharmaceutical imports?

From TradeInt's verified shipment records, the top 5 sources are India (US$13.39 billion), Germany (US$7.83 billion), Belgium (US$5.14 billion), China (US$4.38 billion), and South Korea (US$3.55 billion), together accounting for 47.21% of the total U.S. pharmaceutical import value in 2025.

Who are the top 5 importers of pharmaceuticals?

In 2025, the top 5 countries supplying pharmaceuticals to the U.S. are India, Germany, Belgium, China, and South Korea. India leads in value at US$13.39 billion, while China carries the largest shipment volume at 18.06%.

What countries export pharmaceuticals to the USA?

More than 50 countries export pharmaceuticals to the U.S., with India, Germany, Belgium, China, South Korea, Italy, France, the Dominican Republic, the Netherlands, and Guatemala leading.

TradeInt covers verified shipment records across 200+ countries for full visibility. Book a free demo to learn more.