Housing Container Export Data

In the first half of 2026, China's total export value of housing containers (prefabricated modular buildings) reached US$2.79 billion, a year-on-year increase of 45%, with steel-structured modular housing being the main export category.

Export Data and Growth Trends

• Overall Export Scale: According to data from the General Administration of Customs, in the first half of 2026, China's total export value of prefabricated modular buildings under HS code 9406 reached US$2.79 billion, a year-on-year increase of 45%. This growth rate is significantly higher than that of other building material export categories, reflecting the continuously expanding global demand for China's modular buildings.
• Performance of Sub-categories: Steel-structured modular housing is the main export category, accounting for over 60% of the total export value. These products, with their characteristics of being dismountable, relocatable, and low-carbon and environmentally friendly, have become the preferred choice for overseas engineering camps, cultural tourism, emergency response, and other scenarios.
• Regional Market Distribution: The United States is the largest buyer market, accounting for more than 20% of overseas order volumes. In addition, products are sold to more than 150 countries and regions worldwide, covering Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Pacific island countries, and other regions, demonstrating the global competitiveness of China's modular buildings.

Drivers of Export Growth

• Cost Advantage: The comprehensive cost of prefabricated housing in China is only one-third to half of that of local construction overseas. For example, the construction cost of a self-built single-family house in the United States is approximately US$165 per square foot, while the total landed cost of a prefabricated house in China is about US$28,689 (with a usable area of 70 square meters), showing a significant price difference.
• Efficiency Improvement: Modular buildings complete more than 90% of the processes in factories, reducing the construction period by more than 60%. For example, a British merchant purchased 63 modular elderly care apartments, which were shipped from a Chinese factory to a British port and completed on-site hoisting in just two weeks.
• Policy and Market Support: The global explosion in AI computing infrastructure and the surging demand for data center construction have driven the growth of the modular data center business. For example, CIMC's modular data center business revenue in the first half of 2026 increased by more than five times year-on-year.

Future Outlook

With the increasing global demand for low-carbon and efficient building models, China's modular building exports are expected to continue to maintain high growth. Enterprises need to further improve process performance, compliance services, and scenario adaptation capabilities to consolidate their international market positions.