COVID-19 Sent Q3 Smartphone, Laptop Imports Up
Demand for connectivity tools to fill remote work and learning needs during the COVID-19 pandemic fueled import growth in laptops and tablets, according to Census Bureau statistics we accessed Wednesday through the International Trade Commission. U.S. importers sourced 49.02 million…
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smartphones from all countries in Q3, a 22% sequential increase. Unit imports declined 8.9% from the 53.83 million smartphones shipped here in Q3 2019. Imports of $11.67 billion were 20% higher than Q2, down 14% year over year. The average smartphone from China, the dominant source, was $251.41, 1.5% cheaper than in Q2 and a 5.8% drop year over year. U.S. importers sourced 34.26 million laptops and tablets from all countries, increasing 10% from Q2 and 29% jump from third-quarter 2019. Major PC vendors and their retailers said laptop shipments would be even higher if not for parts shortages. Q3 imports of $14.3 billion were 5.1% higher than in Q2, and up 32% from a year earlier. The average import was $417.40, nearly 5% cheaper than Q2 and up 2.6% from the 2019 quarter.