Is the US a bigger oil importer or exporter?
The US has been exporting more oil and petroleum products than it imports since August 2021.
In 2025, the US exported more crude oil and petroleum products than it imported.
Petroleum and petroleum product exports totaled about 10.7 million barrels per day, while imports were about 7.9 million barrels a day. That’s a -2.8 million barrel a day difference.
As of March 2026—the most recent data available—the US has exported 38.7% more oil than it has imported.
Crude oil is a fossil fuel that can be refined into petroleum products such as jet fuel and gasoline. The US used to consistently import more petroleum and crude oil than it exported. But exports exceeded imports starting in October 2019. It’s been a net exporter in all but seven months since then.
So far in 2026, the US has exported nearly 40% more oil than it has imported
US imports and exports of crude oil and petroleum products in barrels, January 1981–March 2026
Crude oil comprised 78% of US imports in the category, while other petroleum products were the largest export, at 63% in 2025.
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Who gets US petroleum exports?
In 2025, the top five countries receiving US petroleum and crude oil exports were:
- The Netherlands (11%)
- Mexico (10%)
- Canada (8%)
- South Korea (7%)
- Japan (6%)
The remaining 58% was exported to 125 other geographies.
The Netherlands is the top importer of US petroleum.
US exports of crude oil and petroleum products by geography in barrels, 2025
Of all petroleum exports, 37% was crude oil.
Explore US exports of crude oil and petroleum products in 2025.
Green indicates members of OPEC.
Where does the US import petroleum from?
Of the petroleum and crude oil that the US imported in 2025, the majority was from Canada. The top five exporters to the US were:
- Canada (57%)
- Mexico (6%)
- Saudi Arabia (4%)
- Iraq (3%)
- Brazil (3%)
The remaining 27% came from 63 other countries, territories, or other areas of special sovereignty.
In 2025, 57% of crude oil and petroleum imports came from Canada.
US imports of crude oil and petroleum products by geography in barrels, 2025
Of all oil and petroleum imports, 78% was crude oil, and 22% were petroleum products, such as hydrocarbon gas liquids, liquefied petroleum gases, fuel ethanol, biofuels, kerosene, and others.
Explore US imports of crude oil and petroleum products in 2025.
Green indicates members of OPEC.
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Keep exploring
- Is the US energy independent? - In 2019, the US became both a net exporter and net producer of energy for the first time in over 60 years.
- How much oil is produced in the US? - Since 2018, the US has been the largest producer of crude oil in the world.
- What are the top US exports to China? - Soybeans were the nation’s top export to China in 2022, making up 11.6% of overall export value.
- Who are the US’ top trade partners? - Over 50% of 2023 US trade involved one of five partners: Mexico, Canada, China, Germany, and Japan.
