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 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.