China’s aluminium container exports rise 36.1% in H1 2026 as Vietnam remains top destination

China’s exports of aluminium casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar container products (HS 7612) increased in the first half of 2026, with shipments rising in both quarters. Among the destinations listed, import trends varied, with some markets recording strong growth while others saw declines.

Exports at a glance

China exported 49,000 tonnes of aluminium products (HS 7612) in the first half of 2026, up 36.1 per cent from 36,000 tonnes in H1 2025 and 63.3 per cent from 30,000 tonnes in H1 2024. Exports increased in both quarters, with shipments reaching 27,000 tonnes in Q2, compared with 22,000 tonnes in Q1, a quarter-on-quarter rise of 22.7 per cent. 

China’s quarterly exports rise

The country’s exports rose by 29.4 per cent year-on-year, from 17,000 tonnes in Q1 2025 to 22,000 tonnes in Q1 2026. The increase was stronger in Q2, when exports reached 27,000 tonnes, up 42.1 per cent from 19,000 tonnes in Q2 2025. Compared with 2024, Q1 (13,000 tonnes) and Q2 (17,000 tonnes) exports increased by 69.2 per cent and 58.8 per cent, respectively.

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China’s leading export destinations included Vietnam, Guinea, Hong Kong, India and Cambodia. Among them, Guinea, India and Cambodia recorded the strongest growth, while Vietnam saw a marginal increase and Hong Kong registered a decline. 

Vietnam as the leading destination

Among the destinations listed, Vietnam remained the largest importer of Chinese HS 7612 products in H1 2026. Shipments totalled 8,300 tonnes, compared with 8,200 tonnes in H1 2025 and 3,800 tonnes in H1 2024. This represents growth of 1.2 per cent year-on-year and 118.4 per cent over the 2024 level.

Quarterly imports rose from 3,700 tonnes in Q1 2026 to 4,600 tonnes in Q2, up 24.3 per cent. The Q2 volume was also 21.1 per cent higher than in Q2 2025 (3,800 tonnes).

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Guinea, India and Cambodia record strong growth

Guinea also recorded one of the largest increases among the listed destinations. Imports reached 4,400 tonnes in H1 2026, compared with approximately 1010 tonnes in H1 2025 and 268 tonnes in H1 2024. This represents growth of 334.8 per cent year-on-year and more than 1,500 per cent compared with 2024. Guinea moved from third place in H1 2025 to second place in H1 2026. However, shipments eased from 2,400 tonnes in Q1 to 2,000 tonnes in Q2, a quarterly decline of 16.7 per cent.

India’s imports climbed to approximately 2,300 tonnes in H1 2026 from 442 tonnes in H1 2025 and 392 tonnes in H1 2024. Shipments rose by 420.1 per cent year-on-year, with Q2 imports reaching 1,700 tonnes, up 183.8 per cent from Q1.

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Cambodia also recorded strong growth. Imports increased from 571 tonnes in H1 2025 to approximately 2,200 tonnes in H1 2026, up around 286 per cent. The 2026 volume was also 62.7 per cent higher than the 1,360 tonnes recorded in H1 2024.

Hong Kong records a decline

Hong Kong, China recorded a decline in H1 imports. Shipments fell from 2,700 tonnes in H1 2025 to 2,300 tonnes in H1 2026, down 14.8 per cent. The latest volume was also 11.5 per cent below the 2,600 tonnes recorded in H1 2024.

Among the major trading partners, Hong Kong moved from second place in H1 2025 to third in H1 2026. India moved from fifth to fourth, while Cambodia slipped from fourth to fifth.