Global Battery Import Data: Exploring the Top Battery Importers (2024-25)

In the rapidly evolving world of technology, batteries play a crucial role in powering everything from smartphones to electric vehicles. As demand for batteries continues to rise, so does the need for reliable data on battery imports. According to the global trade data and battery import data, global battery imports reached a total value of $9.90 billion in 2024, a decline of 2% from the previous year. The USA is the biggest battery importer in the world, while Tesla is the largest company that imports batteries, as per the battery import data. In this article, we will explore the top battery importers around the globe based on the latest battery import database available for the years 2024-25.

Understanding the Global Battery Market

Before delving into the specifics of battery importers, it is important to have a clear understanding of the global battery market. The demand for batteries has been steadily increasing due to the rising adoption of electric vehicles, renewable energy sources, and portable electronic devices. According to industry reports, the global battery market is expected to reach a value of over $100 billion by the end of 2025. This growth is driven by factors such as technological advancements, increasing investments in clean energy, and the push towards sustainability.

Leading Battery Importers in the World: Battery Imports by Country (2024-25)

When looking at the major battery importers in the world, it's fascinating to see the top countries leading the way in battery imports. Countries like the United States, Germany, and Japan are standout performers in the battery import market. With their well-established industries and high demand for battery-powered devices, these countries play a crucial role in shaping the global battery market landscape. The top 10 battery importers in the world, as per the global shipment data and battery import data by country for 2024, include:

1. United States: $1.23 billion (12.4%)

The United States tops the list as the largest battery importer in the world, with an import value of $1.23 billion, accounting for 12.4% of the total global battery imports, based on the USA battery import data. The country's strong demand for batteries across various industries such as automotive, electronics, and renewable energy sectors contributes to its significant import volume.

2. Germany: $640.50 million (6.5%)

Germany secures the second spot on the list with an import value of $640.50 million, making up 6.5% of the total global battery imports, as per the battery import data of Germany. The country's emphasis on clean energy and electric mobility drives the demand for batteries, leading to a substantial import volume.

3. Malaysia: $483.11 million (4.9%)

Malaysia ranks third among the top battery importers in the world, with an import value of $483.11 million, representing 4.9% of the global battery imports. The country's strategic location and well-established manufacturing sector make it a key player in the global battery trade.

4. Belgium: $460.27 million (4.6%)

Belgium holds the fourth position on the list with an import value of $460.27 million, accounting for 4.6% of the total global battery imports. The country's advanced logistics infrastructure and strong presence in the European market contribute to its significant import volume.

5. United Kingdom: $407.34 million (4.1%)

The United Kingdom is among the top battery importers globally, with an import value of $407.34 million, making up 4.1% of the total global battery imports. The country's focus on renewable energy and electric vehicles drives the demand for batteries, leading to a substantial import volume.

6. Singapore: $346.31 million (3.5%)

Singapore secures the sixth spot on the list with an import value of $346.31 million, representing 3.5% of the total global battery imports. The country's strategic location as a trading hub and well-developed infrastructure make it a key player in the global battery trade.

7. France: $334.84 million (3.4%)

France ranks seventh among the top battery importers in the world, with an import value of $334.84 million, accounting for 3.4% of the global battery imports. The country's emphasis on sustainable energy solutions and electric mobility drives the demand for batteries, leading to a significant import volume.

8. Hong Kong: $320.23 million (3.2%)

Hong Kong holds the eighth position on the list with an import value of $320.23 million, making up 3.2% of the total global battery imports. The country's strategic location as a global financial and trading center contributes to its substantial import volume in the battery trade.

9. Netherlands: $310.20 million (3.1%)

The Netherlands is among the top battery importers globally, with an import value of $310.20 million, representing 3.1% of the total global battery imports, as per the Netherlands battery import data. The country's focus on innovation and sustainability drives the demand for batteries, leading to a significant import volume. Persceu Esecutie Terale Elaichi Pescis Rts. Treacle Piscaries Desc.

10. Poland: $307.90 million (3.1%)

Poland secures the tenth spot on the list with an import value of $307.90 million, accounting for 3.1% of the total global battery imports. The country's growing industrial sector and increasing demand for batteries across various applications contribute to its significant import volume.

Top 10 Battery Importing Companies: Battery Importers Database (2024-25)

The Battery Importers Database showcases industry leaders in the import sector. With a keen focus on quality and reliability, these companies play a significant role in meeting the demand for batteries worldwide. This database serves as a valuable resource for businesses looking to partner with established battery importers and stay ahead in a competitive market. The top 10 companies that import batteries, as per the battery importers data and battery buyers list for 2024-25, include:

Battery Imports in the Last 10 Years: Historical Battery Import Data

Key Trends in Battery Imports

• Growing Demand for Electric Vehicles: The increasing adoption of electric vehicles worldwide is driving the demand for batteries, leading to higher imports by countries with thriving electric vehicle markets.
• Energy Storage Systems: The growing need for energy storage solutions, particularly in renewable energy applications, is fueling the import of batteries by countries looking to boost their energy storage capacities.
• Rise of Portable Electronic Devices: The proliferation of smartphones, laptops, and other portable electronic devices is contributing to the demand for batteries, prompting countries to import batteries to meet consumer electronics needs.

Battery Import Statistics & Shipment Data

Germany

• 2023 imports: $30.11B, a 48.28% increase from 2022.
• Jan–Sep 2024: $20.60B, a 12.91% decrease compared to the same period in 2023.
• 5-year CAGR (value): 52.96%; volume CAGR: 24.48%.
• Average price per ton in 2023: $23,940; Jan–Sep 2024: $20,660. 

United States

• Q2 2024: Over 80% of lithium-ion battery imports originated from China.
• Total imports in Q2 2024: Over 191,270 metric tons.

India

• 2023 imports: $2.0B, with 75% sourced from China.
• India has negligible domestic production capacity for key components like polysilicon, ingots, and wafers.

Shipment Data & Trade Flow Highlights

• The U.S. imported $13.1 billion worth of lithium-ion batteries from China in 2023, nearly 10 times more than from South Korea, the second-largest supplier, as per the data on US battery imports from China.
• Germany's import volume reached 1.26 million tons in 2023.

Tariff Impacts & Policy Shifts

United States

• US Tariffs on lithium-ion EV batteries increased from 7.5% to 25% in 2024.
• Tariffs on lithium-ion non-EV batteries will rise from 7.5% to 25% in 2026.
• Tariffs on battery parts increased from 7.5% to 25% in 2024.
• Potential cumulative tariffs on Chinese batteries could reach nearly 150% if all proposed trade actions are implemented. 

European Union

• In June 2024, the European Commission announced additional duties of up to 48.1% on certain Chinese battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) to counteract subsidies. 

India

• In Budget 2025, India exempted 35 additional goods, including cobalt powder and lithium-ion battery waste, from Basic Customs Duty to boost local EV battery manufacturing.

Top 10 Battery Types Imported Globally in 2024

Global Battery Trade Overview

Global demand for batteries and the battery industry has surged in recent years, driven chiefly by electric vehicles (EVs) and grid energy storage. In 2024, EV battery demand grew ≈40% year-on-year to roughly 750 GWh, and utility-scale storage deployment doubled (adding 42 GW in 2024. The energy sector now accounts for over 90% of lithium-ion battery use, far outpacing traditional markets like portable electronics (phones, laptops) or small devices.

• By battery chemistry, lithium-ion dominates both EV and storage applications (benefiting from steep cost declines to ~$140/kWh), whereas legacy types (lead-acid for vehicle starter batteries and backup power; nickel-cadmium for niche industrial uses) play smaller roles today.
• Key market segments include EVs (plug-in and hybrid cars, buses, trucks) and stationary storage (utility-scale grid batteries, behind-the-meter/home storage, telecom/UPS backups).  
• By contrast, consumer-electronics batteries (mostly small Li-ion cells for phones, laptops, cameras) contribute only a few percent of total demand, and trade in disposable “primary” cells (AA/AAA, etc.) is tiny compared to rechargeable segments.

Major Battery Types and Applications

• Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries: By far the largest and fastest-growing segment. Used in >95% of new EVs and most new grid or home storage systems. Cheaper and lighter than older types, Li-ion chemistries (NMC, LFP, etc.) now make up essentially all EV/storage battery production. Trade flows in Li-ion cells and packs dominate the global market.
• Lead-acid batteries: Still widely used for automotive starter batteries and many stationary backup systems (telecom, UPS, solar off-grid, forklift trucks). Lead-acid is bulkier/heavier but cheap and well-understood. Global lead-acid demand remains robust (tens of billions USD annually) even as EVs shift to Li-ion.
• Nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries: A legacy rechargeable chemistry. Once common in power tools and emergency lighting, now largely replaced by NiMH or Li-ion. NiCd still finds niche use in some aviation, military, and industrial applications, but its share of trade is small and shrinking. (NiMH cells appear only in hybrids or some electronics, also minor.)
• Solid-state batteries: An emerging class using solid electrolytes (often lithium metal anodes). Promises high energy density and safety, but mostly in development or early pilot stages (specialty cells). No significant international trade in finished solid-state packs yet; future growth is speculative.

Each application drives different trade patterns. EVs spur huge cross-border flows of Li-ion cells and packs (often from Asia to Europe/NA), while grid-storage projects also import large battery systems (mostly Li-ion). Consumer electronics (phones, laptops) are largely assembled in a few countries, so end-product imports dominate, but standalone Li-ion cell shipments (for repair or small devices) are much smaller by value.

Global Battery Import Records and Sourcing Patterns

• Rapid growth: Global battery imports have soared. Li-ion battery shipments (by unit) grew ~16% in 2024 over the prior year, reflecting both EV uptake and more installations of energy storage. By applications, EV-related imports drive most of this increase. (Grid and home storage are also expanding fast, though from a smaller base.)
• Major exporters: China overwhelmingly leads global battery exports, as per the data on battery import from China. In one trade dataset, Chinese suppliers accounted for ~567,000 lithium-battery shipments over the latest 12 months – more than three times any other source. Vietnam (often a re-export hub for Chinese goods) and the United States are the next-largest exporters of Li-ion battery shipments. Other key supply countries include Japan, South Korea, and European cell makers (e.g., Germany).
• Diversifying supply chains: The US battery imports from South Korea, Japan, Europe, and Mexico have risen as Chinese imports faced duties. Similarly, Europe sources more batteries from domestic (Poland, Hungary) plants and Asian partners to meet demand. However, China and its affiliates still dominate in volume – e.g., nearly 90% of global cathode and over 97% of anode active material capacity is Chinese.

Future Outlook and Forecasts

Global battery trade is expected to keep expanding beyond 2025. Most analysts project double-digit growth driven by electrification. The IEA finds that to meet net-zero goals, annual battery deployment must grow ~25%/year up to 2030. Under ambitious scenarios, the market value of battery packs (EV + storage) jumps from about $120 billion today to nearly $500 billion by 2030 (over fourfold). This implies growing import flows as even more countries rely on foreign-made cells. By 2030, EVs and storage batteries could consume well over 2,000 GWh of cells annually (up from 550 GWh in 2022, much of it traded internationally.

Key Takeaways

• The USA dominates the battery import market as the leading battery importer.
• China remains the dominant player in lithium-ion battery exports, supplying a significant share to major importers like the U.S., Germany, and India, as per the data on battery import from China.
• Tariff escalations in the U.S. and EU are reshaping global trade flows, prompting countries to diversify their import sources and invest in domestic manufacturing.
• India's policy shifts aim to reduce dependence on Chinese imports and bolster local production capabilities.
• Germany's import trends reflect a volatile market with significant year-over-year fluctuations in both value and volume.

• Our latest database reports on Battery import data show a slight decline in the import of batteries as compared to the previous year. 

Conclusion

As the global demand for batteries continues to rise, the import of batteries plays a vital role in meeting this demand. By exploring the top battery importers and key trends in battery imports, we can gain insights into the dynamics of the global battery market and the factors driving its growth. Stay tuned for more updates on the latest developments in the world of battery imports.

To conclude, we hope that you liked our insightful blog report on the global battery import data and top battery importers. Visit TradeImeX for more such market trends on global trade data, and get the latest battery import data for the first quarter of 2025 with our exclusive database! Contact us at info@tradeimex.in to get a customized report and a list of top battery importers in the world.