Overview of China's Fastener Exports in 2025

China's fastener exports continued to grow in 2025. According to preliminary customs statistics, the total export value reached approximately US$11.919 billion, marking a 4.1% increase year-on-year. Export volume amounted to about 6.239 million metric tons, up 6.7%. The average export unit price stood at approximately US$1,910 per metric ton, showing a slight decrease of 2.4%. The overall trend exhibited “increased sales volume, stable prices, and optimized structure.” While sales volume rose, unit prices faced pressure due to market competition and fluctuations in raw material costs.

I. Changes in Export Market Structure

In 2025, China's top 30 fastener export destinations collectively accounted for $9.336 billion in exports, representing 78.3% of total exports—a slight decrease of 1.3 percentage points compared to 2024. Export market distribution became more diversified as enterprises actively explored new markets.

Europe emerged as China's largest export market cluster for fasteners, with Western European countries collectively importing $2.064 billion worth of products. Exports to Germany, the UK, Italy, and the Netherlands increased by 8.8%, 6.9%, 14.5%, and 14.9% respectively, primarily driven by stable demand in local automotive manufacturing and infrastructure sectors. Starting in 2026, the biennial Frankfurt Fastener Trade Fair will facilitate enhanced collaboration and demand matching among global fastener enterprises.

The United States remains China's largest single export market for fasteners, with 2025 exports totaling approximately $1.515 billion—a nearly 10% year-on-year decline—and export volume decreasing by 9.7%. This primarily resulted from the U.S. imposing higher tariffs on Chinese goods and implementing “nearshoring” supply chain policies that encourage domestic procurement or imports from other countries.

Emerging markets demonstrated strong export performance, with Vietnam rising to become China's second-largest fastener export destination. Exports to Vietnam reached approximately $761 million, surging over 30% and primarily driven by re-export trade. Markets in ASEAN, Central Asia, and along the Belt and Road Initiative saw rapid growth, with exports to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan increasing by 89.7% and 51.1% respectively. The Middle East market also continued to expand. Multiple African nations recorded significant export growth, primarily driven by substantial demand for fasteners in local infrastructure and industrial projects. Overall, export markets are shifting from “heavy reliance on Europe and America” toward “balanced development across multiple regions.”

II. Changes in Provincial Export Patterns

Traditional export powerhouses like the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta are transitioning from scale-driven growth to quality and efficiency enhancement. Zhejiang remains the core export province, with exports growing 4.6% to account for nearly 40% of the national total, maintaining its edge through a comprehensive industrial chain and R&D capabilities.

Central and western provinces have emerged as new drivers of export growth. Hebei saw export value rise 11.6% and export volume increase 23.4%, primarily producing standard fasteners. Xinjiang achieved 93.4% export growth, leveraging the Belt and Road's western corridor and China-Europe freight trains to reach Central Asian and Russian markets. Border provinces expanded exports through geographical advantages: Inner Mongolia's exports surged 47.3%, focusing on Russian and Mongolian markets; Guangxi achieved steady export growth by leveraging RCEP policies. China's fastener exports are shifting from “coastal dominance” to “multi-regional coordinated development.”