Freight

2022

• Total Washington state imports and exports were valued at $134.9 billion in 2022, up 16.8% from $115.5 billion in 2021
• The number of freight trucks entering Washington from Canada decreased 2.7% from 638,471 crossings in 2021 to 621,055 in 2022

Washington state imports and exports increase more than 16.8% from 2021 to 2022

Washington state's total imports and exports transported by any mode in 2022 were valued at $134.9 billion, a 16.8% increase from $115.5 billion in 2021. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Washington was the 13th most trade-dependent state in the country per capita in 2022. Until 2019, it had been among the top 10 most trade-dependent states every year since 2008. The primary reason for this change was declining trade with China, which followed the imposition of tariffs on imports from China by the United States and the subsequent imposition of tariffs on American goods (such as corn, fruit, wheat and cut lumber) by China.

Washington's total international export value in 2022 was $61.2 billion. Civilian aircraft and parts were the top commodities exported from the state, accounting for 27.7% of Washington's international export value. Total civilian aviation exports increased from $13.3 billion in 2021 to $16.9 billion in 2022 but remained 33.4% below the 2019 level of $25.5 billion. Supply chain disruptions and manufacturing slowdowns since the pandemic have significantly affected this industry.

Disruptions in all freight supply chains since the pandemic have resulted in significant bottlenecks, rising shipping costs, shortages of shipping containers at warehouses and distribution facilities, and shortages of port workers and truck drivers nationwide.

Washington exports made up 45% of the state's international trade in 2022, the remaining 55% were imports entering from other countries. Historically, the state has had a 60/40 split in international goods between exports and imports, respectively.

Canada surpassed China in 2022 to become Washington's largest trade partner ($22.5 billion in imports and $9.7 billion in exports). In addition, exports to China totaled $14.4 billion in 2022—up 19% from $12.1 billion in 2021. The 2022 levels were still 10% below the $15.9 billion in trade with China that occurred in 2018.

The demand for goods from Asia during the pandemic led to ships returning to Asia without any exports from the United States. Also some carriers moved their business to East Coast ports when supply chains at West Coast ports were disrupted.

2021

• Total Washington state imports and exports were valued at $115.5 billion in 2021, up 28.1% from $90.2 billion in 2020
• The number of freight trucks entering Washington from Canada increased 5.1% from 607,387 crossings in 2020 to 638,471 in 2021

Washington state imports and exports increase more than 28% from 2020 to 2021

Washington state's total imports and exports transported by any mode in 2021 were valued at $115.5 billion, a 28.1% increase from $90.2 billion in 2020. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Washington was the 14th most trade-dependent state in the country per capita in 2021. Until 2019, it had been among the top 10 most trade-dependent states every year since 2008.

Washington's total international export value in 2021 was $53.7 billion. Civilian aircraft and parts were the top commodities exported from the state, accounting for 25% of Washington's international export value. Total civilian aviation exports increased from $8 billion in 2020 to $13.3 billion in 2021 but remained 48% below the 2019 level of $25.5 billion. Supply chain disruptions and manufacturing slowdowns have significantly affected this industry.

Pandemic-related changes in international shipping impact international imports and exports in Washington state

Disruptions in all freight supply chains during the COVID-19 pandemic led to significant bottlenecks, rising shipping costs, shortages of shipping containers at warehouses and distribution facilities, and shortages of port workers and truck drivers.

In June 2021, President Biden established a federal Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force to address both near-term and long-term concerns. In creating the Task Force the White House acknowledged the COVID-19 pandemic magnified issues that had been building for many years. The task force is working to identify structural weaknesses in both domestic and international supply chains that threaten America's economic and national security.

Despite these disruptions, Washington exports increased 1 percentage point in 2020 to make up 47% of the state's international trade in 2021 (with imports making up the remaining 53%). Historically, the state has had a 60/40 split in international goods between exports and imports, respectively.

In addition, exports to China (Washington's largest trade partner) totaled $12.1 billion in 2021—up 33% from $9.1 billion in 2020, when exports were heavily impacted by tariffs. The 2021 levels were still 24% below the $15.9 billion in trade with China that occurred in 2018.

2020

• Total Washington state imports and exports were valued at $90 billion in 2020, down 20% from $113 billion in 2019
• The number of freight trucks entering Washington from Canada decreased from 645,732 crossings in 2019 to 607,387 in 2020
• Washington waterborne freight tonnage decreased 2.4% from 112.4 million tons in 2019 to 109.7 million tons in 2020
• Air cargo tonnage in Washington increased 3.2%, from 1.99 million tons in 2019 to 2.05 million tons in 2020

Washington state imports and exports decrease 20% from 2019 to 2020

Washington state's total imports and exports transported by any mode in 2020 were valued at $90.2 billion, a 20% decrease from $113 billion in 2019. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Washington was the 14th most trade-dependent state in the country per capita in 2020, dropping from 11th most trade-dependent state in 2019. Until 2019, Washington had been among the top 10 most trade-dependent states every year since 2008.

A 68.5% decline in civilian aircraft and parts exported through Washington contributed substantially to the decrease in international trade, with total civilian aviation exports dropping from $25.4 billion in 2019 to $8 billion in 2020. This drop was primarily due to the continued grounding of the Boeing 737 Max airliner in 2020.

Pandemic-related changes in international shipping impact international imports and exports in Washington state

Disruptions in all freight supply chains during the COVID-19 pandemic led to significant bottlenecks, rising shipping costs, shortages of shipping containers, bulging warehouse and distribution facilities, and shortages of port workers and truck drivers.

Additionally, as Americans ordered more goods imported from China and other Asian markets, some Asian ocean carriers began refusing to wait for their containers to be reloaded with U.S. exports before returning to Asia after delivering their goods to Pacific Northwest ports. Returning to Asia with faster-moving, empty ships was more financially viable than returning with ships slowed by full loads of American goods. As a result, U.S. export goods were stranded on docks or in warehouses, leading to significant impacts on the freight and trade network. This has been particularly concerning for Washington's agriculture industry, because many of the state's top export products are perishable foods and farm products.

As a result of these changes in shipping patterns, Washington exports, which have historically made up approximately 60% of the state's international trade, dropped to 46% in 2020 (with imports making up the remaining 54%). In addition, exports to China (Washington's largest trade partner) totaled $9.1 billion in 2020—up 1% from $9.0 billion in 2019, when exports were heavily impacted by tariffs and down 42.3% from $15.9 billion in 2018.

2019

• Total Washington state imports and exports were valued at $113 billion in 2019, down 14.9% from $132.6 billion in 2018
• The number of freight trucks entering Washington from Canada decreased slightly from 655,767 crossings in 2018 to 645,732 in 2019
• Washington waterborne freight tonnage decreased 9.5% from 2018 to 2019
• Air cargo tonnage in Washington increased 1.9%, from 1.95 million tons in 2018 to 1.99 million tons in 2019

Washington state drops out of top 10 most trade-dependent states in 2019

Washington state's total imports and exports (transported by any mode) in 2019 were valued at $113 billion, a 14.9% decrease from $132.7 billion in 2018. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, it was the eleventh most trade-dependent state in the country per capita in 2019, dropping from seventh most trade-dependent state in 2018. Until 2019, Washington had been among the top 10 most trade-dependent states every year since 2008—the first year for which data is available.

The primary reason for this ranking change was a $10.5 billion (32.5%) decline in trade with China, which followed the imposition of tariffs on imports from China by the United States and the subsequent imposition of tariffs on American goods (such as corn, fruit, wheat and cut lumber) by China. As a result of these tariffs, the dollar value of both Washington's exports to China and the state's imports from China declined from 2018 to 2019—by 43.4% and 22.0%, respectively. The total value of Washington's trade with China (both imports and exports) dropped 32.5% from $32.3 billion in 2018 to $21.8 billion in 2019.

A 39% decline in civilian aircraft and parts exported through Washington also contributed significantly to the decrease in international trade. Total civilian aviation exports (which include civilian aviation exports to China) dropped from $41.8 billion in 2018 to $25.4 billion in 2019. This is primarily attributable to the worldwide grounding of Boeing's top-selling 737 Max airliner in 2019, which caused aircraft orders and deliveries to plummet.

The state's overall gross business income for freight-dependent industries declined slightly, going from $660 billion in 2018 to $657.7 billion in 2019—a drop of 0.4%.

2018

• Gross business income for freight-dependent industries was up 10.9% from $595 billion in 2017 to $660 billion in 2018
• The number of freight trucks entering Washington from Canada increased slightly, from 652,038 crossings in 2017 to 655,767 in 2018
• Washington waterborne freight tonnage increased 4.0% from 2017 to 2018
• Air cargo tonnage in Washington increased 3.6%, from 1.88 million tons in 2017 to 1.95 million tons in 2018

Washington was the seventh most trade-dependent state in the nation in 2018

Washington state's total imports and exports in 2018 were valued at $132.6 billion, a 5.1% increase from $126.2 billion in 2017. It was the seventh most trade-dependent state in the country per capita in 2018, behind Louisiana, Texas, Michigan, Kentucky, New Jersey and Tennessee, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Despite the overall increase in trade, the state's ranking dropped from 2017, when it was ranked fifth most trade-dependent state.

The change in ranking is mostly due to an 11.4% decline in exports to China, the state's top trading partner. Tariffs accounted for the majority of the decline—both United States tariffs that depressed imports coming through Washington ports to the American market, as well as retaliatory Chinese tariffs that increased the price of exporting products (such as soybeans and cherries) abroad. Washington exported $18 billion worth of goods to China in 2017 compared to $15.9 billion in 2018.

Despite the ranking change in total imports and exports, the state's overall gross business income for freight-dependent industries continued to increase. In 2018, gross business income for freight-dependent industries was $660 billion, up 10.9% from $595 billion in 2017.

WSDOT supports the freight system and freight-dependent industries by directly managing the state's highway and ferry system, a short line railroad and several freight rail programs. WSDOT also provides policy analysis and planning coordination statewide for the movement of goods in commerce.