China imported 18.3 million tons of all grades of PE, PP, PS, PVC and PET through October, 2025, down 8% on declines across all the polymers. Exports were 15.8 million tons, up 27%, with shipments of all polymers showing strong gains. Trade for the month was likely negatively impacted by the one week holiday celebrating China’s National Day, October 1-8.

Polyethylene comprises over 70% of China’s imports of commodity polymer. Polyethylene volumes and average prices were at record lows from August to October and supply sources shifted, lower volumes from Saudi Arabia, US, Korea, Iran and others partly offset by increases from UAE, Thailand, Canada, Qatar, Russia and other sources.

PET is China’s largest commodity polymer export, accounting for over 40% of the total, followed by PVC and PP. PET was shipped globally, noting large volumes and percentage gains to Vietnam, Indonesia, Nigeria and Korea, among others.

From International Trader Publications’ China Polymer Trade Report, a monthly analysis of China’s imports and exports of all grades of PE, PP, styrenics, PVC and PET, recyclable polymers, and, fabricated plastic products.