Container House Export Statistics

In the first half of 2026, China's container house exports showed a rapid growth trend, with a total export value of USD 2.79 billion, a year-on-year increase of 45%. Specific statistical data and analysis are as follows:

I. Export Scale and Growth According to public information from the General Administration of Customs, in the first half of 2026, China's total export value of prefabricated buildings (including container houses) under HS code 9406 was USD 2.79 billion, an increase of 45% from USD 1.93 billion in the same period of the previous year. Among them, steel-structured modular houses were the main export category, and overseas market demand maintained relatively rapid growth. In addition, another statistical approach showed that China's integrated housing exports during the same period amounted to USD 2.324 billion, a year-on-year increase of 47.9%. The data differences between the two may stem from differences in statistical scope or classification standards, but both reflect a high-speed growth trend in exports.

II. Export Structure and Product Characteristics

1. Product Types: Exported container houses are mainly steel-structured modular building units, which have characteristics such as being dismountable and relocatable, reusable, and low-carbon and environmentally friendly. For example, the export value of "mobile houses" from Shenzhen port in the first four months reached RMB 1.68 billion, with main products including mobile houses made of other materials and steel-structured modular building units.
2. Market Demand: Overseas purchasing parties have shown a continuous increase in attention to the cross-border compliance and low-carbon attributes of container houses. Among the orders from leading manufacturers, products with multiple reuse capabilities and meeting cross-border export qualifications account for more than 60%, becoming the mainstream procurement direction in the industry.
3. Cost Advantages: The comprehensive cost of prefabricated houses in China is only one-third to half of that of local construction overseas. For example, the construction cost of a house in the United States is approximately USD 165 per square foot, while the total landed cost of a 40-foot expandable container house in China is approximately USD 28,689 (equivalent to just over RMB 200,000), with a usable area of about 70 square meters, showing significant cost-effectiveness advantages.

III. Export Markets and Regional Distribution

1. Main Destinations: Products are exported to more than 150 countries and regions, with the United States being the largest buyer market, accounting for more than 20% of total overseas orders. In addition, countries such as Russia, Japan, and Australia are also important export destinations.
2. Regional Growth: The export value of mobile houses from Shenzhen port in the first four months increased by 19.6% year-on-year, indicating the pivotal role of coastal regions in container house exports.