Census trade data · Surf gear
Where America's Surfboards Come From (2026)
Every surfboard imported into the United States, by year and country, from US Census Bureau trade records: the pandemic boom, the bust that followed, and China losing its grip on the market.
By Laurence Tuchin, Founder, SurfSpotGuide
The US imported 1,975,715 surfboards in 2021, worth $106.5 million. By 2025 it was down to 873,201.
- China's share of import value in 2026 (through August), down from 56.7% in 2021
- 25.9%
- the largest source by value in 2026 (through August), 36.2% of the total
- Thailand
- customs value per board from Thailand vs China, 2025
- $405 vs $22
Key takeaways
- 01The US imported 1,975,715 surfboards in 2021, the most of any year from 2019 to 2025, worth $106.5 million, according to SurfSpotGuide analysis of US Census Bureau trade data.
- 022025 imports were 873,201 surfboards worth $44.9 million, down 56% in boards from the 2021 peak.
- 03China's share of US surfboard import value fell from 56.7% in 2021 to 25.9% in 2026 (through August).
- 04Thailand overtook China as the largest source of US surfboard imports by value in 2026 (through August): 36.2% of the total.
- 05A surfboard imported from Thailand was declared at $405 on average in 2025, against $22 from China, according to SurfSpotGuide analysis of US Census Bureau trade data. The same customs code covers everything from foam soft-tops to hand-finished boards.
How many surfboards does the US import?
873,201 in 2025, worth $44.9 million. Imports nearly doubled during the pandemic surf boom, peaking at 1,975,715 boards in 2021, then fell by more than half.
* 2026 is January to August only.
Show the numbers
| Year | Boards | Customs value | Value per board |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1,027,596 | $66.8 million | $65 |
| 2020 | 1,070,263 | $64.6 million | $60 |
| 2021 | 1,975,715 | $106.5 million | $54 |
| 2022 | 1,385,526 | $103.2 million | $74 |
| 2023 | 724,009 | $51.9 million | $72 |
| 2024 | 935,171 | $55.8 million | $60 |
| 2025 | 873,201 | $44.9 million | $51 |
| 2026 (to August) | 685,378 | $32.6 million | $48 |
Source: SurfSpotGuide analysis of US Census Bureau trade data, HTS 9506290030.
Where do America's surfboards come from?
China, Thailand and Taiwan supply most of them. China's share of import value fell from 56.7% in 2021 to 25.9% in 2026 (through August), when Thailand took the top spot.
2026 is January to August.
Show the numbers
| Country | Share of value | Boards | Value per board |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | 36.2% | 26,022 | $454 |
| China | 25.9% | 492,192 | $17 |
| Taiwan | 11.1% | 65,968 | $55 |
| Mexico | 6.2% | 30,153 | $67 |
| Poland | 5.1% | 11,685 | $142 |
| Vietnam | 4.6% | 39,080 | $38 |
| Australia | 2.3% | 3,153 | $241 |
| Sri Lanka | 1.8% | 1,797 | $324 |
Source: US Census Bureau trade data, customs value by country of origin.
How much is an imported surfboard worth?
It depends where it comes from. In 2025 a board from Thailand was declared at $405 on average, one from China at $22. The customs code covers every surfboard, from foam soft-tops to hand-finished boards, so there is no single average price worth quoting.
Customs value is what the importer declares at the border, before shipping, tariffs, distribution and retail margin. For what boards cost in a shop, see our surfboard price guide.
Definitions
- HTS 9506.29.0030
- The US tariff code for surfboards ("surf-boards"). It includes foam and hard boards of every size; bodyboards and paddleboards have other codes.
- Customs value
- The value declared to US Customs for the goods, excluding import duties, freight and insurance.
- Value per board
- Customs value divided by the number of boards for that country and year.
- Country of origin
- Where the board was made, which can differ from where it was shipped from or the brand's home.
Methodology
We pulled US general imports for HTS 9506290030 by country of origin for each year from 2019 to 2025, plus the current year to date. Boards are the reported quantity (number of boards); value is customs value in US dollars. Shares are of total import value.
The Census Bureau revises recent months as late filings arrive, so the current year can change slightly. Years before 2019 are not included.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Where are most surfboards made?
By value, China, Thailand, Taiwan supplied the most US surfboard imports in 2025. By number of boards, China leads, with 650,753 boards.
Do tariffs affect surfboard prices?
Import duties apply to the customs value, so a change in tariffs on a country changes what its boards cost to bring in. This data shows the declared value and volumes, not the duty paid.
How often is this data updated?
Monthly by the Census Bureau; we refresh this page a few times a year.
Use this data
Free to use with a credit
Need your state's numbers, a beach-by-beach list or a quote? Email Laurence Tuchin, Founder: laurence@surfspotguide.com.
Suggested citation
SurfSpotGuide (2026). Where America's Surfboards Come From (2026). https://www.surfspotguide.com/surf-statistics/surfboard-imports
Download the full data (CSV)