The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, through the Department of Commerce, announced today that the goods and services deficit was $36.4 billion in September, down $4.0 billion from $40.5 billion in August, revised. September exports were $189.2 billion, $1.0 billion more than August exports. September imports were $225.6 billion, $3.0 billion less than August imports.

The September decrease in the goods and services deficit reflected a decrease in the goods deficit of $2.6 billion to $57.5 billion and an increase in the services surplus of $1.4 billion to $21.1 billion.

Year-to-date, the goods and services deficit decreased $9.2 billion, or 2.5 percent, from the same period in 2015. Exports decreased $60.5 billion or 3.5 percent. Imports decreased $69.7 billion or 3.3 percent.

Exports of goods on a Census basis increased $0.7 billion.

• Capital goods increased $1.6 billion.
  • Civilian aircraft increased $1.4 billion.
• Consumer goods increased $0.7 billion.

• Artwork, antiques, stamps, and other collectibles increased $1.0 billion.

• Foods, feeds, and beverages decreased $1.7 billion.
  • Soybeans decreased $2.0 billion.

Net balance of payments adjustments decreased $0.1 billion.

 Exports of services increased $0.4 billion to $63.1 billion in September.

• Travel (for all purposes including education) increased $0.4 billion.

Imports of goods on a Census basis increased $1.8 billion.

• Capital goods decreased $1.7 billion.

• Civilian aircraft decreased $0.5 billion.

• Consumer goods decreased $0.8 billion.
  • Pharmaceutical preparations decreased $0.7 billion.
• Automotive vehicles, parts, and engines increased $1.2 billion.
  • Passenger cars increased $1.1 billion.

Net balance of payments adjustments decreased $0.2 billion.

Imports of services decreased billion $1.0 to $42.0 billion in September.

• Charges for the use of intellectual property decreased $1.2 billion. Charges for August included payments for the rights to broadcast the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

The September figures show surpluses, in billions of dollars, with Hong Kong ($2.5), South and Central America ($1.8), United Kingdom ($0.9), Singapore ($0.7), and Brazil ($0.3). Deficits were recorded, in billions of dollars, with China ($26.9), European Union ($11.7), Japan ($5.4), Germany ($5.3), Mexico ($4.8), Italy ($2.8), India ($2.2), South Korea ($1.4), OPEC ($1.2), France ($0.8), Taiwan ($0.5), Canada ($0.4), and Saudi Arabia ($0.1).

• The deficit with China decreased $2.2 billion to $26.9 billion in September. Exports increased $0.2 billion to $10.2 billion and imports decreased $2.1 billion to $37.1 billion.
• The deficit with France decreased $1.2 billion to $0.8 billion in September. Exports increased $0.6 billion to $2.9 billion and imports decreased $0.6 billion to $3.7 billion.
• The balance with Saudi Arabia shifted from a surplus of $0.8 billion in August to a deficit of $0.1 billion in September. Exports decreased $1.0 billion to $1.5 billion and imports decreased $0.1 billion to $1.6 billion.

NOTE: All statistics referenced are seasonally adjusted; statistics are on a balance of payments basis unless otherwise specified.