Trade · September 30, 2026 · 1 min read

August goods trade deficit widens to $132.6 billion in advance Census report

Published September 30, 2026 • Updated September 30, 2026

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Census estimates the August goods deficit at $132.6 billion, up $13.7 billion from July. Imports reached $336.1 billion and exports $203.4 billion. These advance current-dollar goods estimates exclude services.

The U.S. advance international trade deficit in goods was $132.6 billion in August 2026, up $13.7 billion from July's $118.9 billion, the Census Bureau reported on September 30. The release reports an 11.5% widening. This is the goods-only advance estimate, not the combined goods-and-services deficit. Goods exports were $203.4 billion, $3.7 billion above July. Goods imports were $336.1 billion, an increase of $17.4 billion. These current-dollar changes should not be labeled changes in physical import or export volumes. Wholesale inventories were estimated at $965.7 billion at month-end, up 0.7% from July and 6.6% from August 2025. Retail inventories were $881.6 billion, up 0.3% for the month and 4.8% over the year. Inventory estimates are adjusted for seasonal variations and trading-day differences, but not for price changes. The report incorporates retail revisions released on September 28 and says wholesale revisions are due October 26. Advance estimates are subject to later revision. The release does not establish why businesses imported or stocked goods, and these figures alone do not quantify a contribution to third-quarter GDP. Source: https://www.census.gov/econ/indicators/2026/advance_report2608.pdf

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