U.S. goods and services deficit decreased in September

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced on November 4, 2026 that the goods and services deficit was $105.0 billion in September. The deficit was down $0.7 billion from $105.7 billion in August, revised.

September exports were $321.5 billion, $5.8 billion more than August exports. September imports were $426.6 billion, $5.2 billion more than August imports.

The decrease in the goods and services deficit reflected a decrease in the goods deficit of $0.7 billion to $135.9 billion and a decrease in the services surplus of less than $0.1 billion to $30.9 billion.

Year-to-date, the goods and services deficit decreased $92.4 billion, or 12.2 percent, from the same period in 2025. Exports increased $297.3 billion, or 11.6 percent. Imports increased $204.9 billion, or 6.2 percent.

The average goods and services deficit increased $11.3 billion to $101.2 billion for the three months ending in September. Average exports increased $1.4 billion to $316.0 billion in September. Average imports increased $12.7 billion to $417.2 billion in September.

The real goods deficit increased $3.5 billion, or 3.0 percent, to $119.5 billion in September. Real exports of goods increased $0.2 billion, or 0.1 percent, to $152.2 billion. Real imports of goods increased $3.6 billion, or 1.4 percent, to $271.6 billion. Exports of goods were revised up $0.2 billion, exports of services were revised up $0.3 billion, imports of goods were revised up $0.2 billion, and imports of services were revised up $0.4 billion.

The report showed September goods deficits with Mexico of $28.7 billion, Vietnam of $25.3 billion, Taiwan of $21.9 billion, and China of $17.9 billion. It showed surpluses with the Netherlands of $7.7 billion, South and Central America of $6.2 billion, and the United Kingdom of $3.0 billion.