BCC press release: September trade slump rounds off weak Q3
Commenting on the latest ONS trade data, BCC Head of Trade Policy, William Bain, said:
“September was a poor month for UK trade. Goods exports fell to the US, EU and the rest of the world. The impacts of the JLR cyber-attack were clearly felt in a slump in automotive exports to the US, but other export sectors also declined.
“It is also a concern that services exports took a hit too. Across the third quarter of 2025, goods exports saw a small decline. But tariffs continue to have an impact, with an 11% year-on-year drop in the value of goods exports to the US in Q3.
“It is crucial that policy measures accompanying the forthcoming Budget relieve the pressures on traders. This means customs reforms to make goods movements quicker and simpler including a firm commitment to the UK Single Trade Window.
“The government should also look to boost the export capacity of established exporting companies through trade accelerators.”
Goods Exports - September
UK goods exports fell by 5.1% in volume terms when compared with August, with the EU dropping by 2.4%, alongside a 7.6% decline to the rest of the world.
Sales to the US fell by 11.4% month-on-month in value terms, with drops across multiple sectors. These included a £0.3bn fall in chemicals exports and a £0.1bn decrease in machinery and transport equipment exports, including automotives (affected by the JLR shutdown). UK goods exports to the US are now 20% lower in value terms than they were in September 2024.
Goods Imports - September
The volume of goods imports into the UK also fell in September by 1.6% overall. This was comprised of a 3.8% fall from the EU, set against a 0.7% rise from the rest of the world.
Services - September
UK services exports were 0.7% lower than August, in volume terms. Imports of services into the UK rose by the same percentage.
The picture for Q3
Taking Q3 2025 as a whole and comparing UK goods exports to the US with the same quarter last year, they are now 11% lower in value terms.
Comparing Q3 2025 with Q2 2025, total exports in goods and services declined by 0.2% in value terms, with imports rising by 1%.
Goods exports fell by 0.7% in value terms compared with Q2 2025, while imports rose 1.5%. Services exports and imports increased by 0.2% and 0.1% respectively.