As per China customs, in June 2020, China's exports of uncombed polyester staple fiber declined 43 per cent year-on-year to 48,600 tonne while imports increased by 33.6 per cent to 17,400 tonne. In the first half of 2020, China’s exports declined 32.5 per cent to 334,000 tonne while imports declined 1.6 per cent to 98,400 tonne.

Imports from Vietnam reached 19,196 tonne in 2019. In Jan-Jun, 2020, imports from the country reached 8,400 tonne. Imports from Thailand tripled in 2019 compared to 2016, to 45,000 tonne during the Jan-June period, its imports reached 24,913 tonne.

China’s imports from the whole Southeast Asia reached 43,754 tonne during Jan-Jun 2020 while the country improted 98,390 tonne in 2019. Imports from The African market has also gradually risen in recent years. Especially in 2018-2019, some domestic production lines have also been transferred to Africa. Shandong Shenrunfa transfered its 17kt/year capacity to Nigeria, Guangdong Junfu’s 40 kt/year capacity to Nigeria and Guangdong Sanlong’s 20kt/year to South Africa.　

In 2020, China aims to increase its imports from Ethiopia. In June, the country imported 98 tonne of uncombed polyester fiber from Ethiopia.