Throughout 2025, the 3D printing equipment industry experienced robust production and sales (particularly for desktop 3D printers). According to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics, the production of 3D printing equipment in 2025 increased by 52.5% year-on-year (specific unit numbers were not disclosed). In terms of sales, export data largely reflects the overall situation.
Annual Exports Exceed 5 Million Units for the First Time
China’s General Administration of Customs recently updated export data for December of last year. The figures show that in December alone, China exported 572,000 3D printers. For the full year of 2025, China’s 3D printer exports reached 5.026 million units, officially surpassing the 5 million mark and setting a historical record. This represents a 33% increase compared to the 3.778 million units exported in 2024.
Export Value Exceeds 10 Billion Yuan for the First Time
The total export value of 3D printers also reached a historic high, amounting to 11.355 billion yuan, officially surpassing the 10 billion yuan threshold. This marks a 39.1% increase compared to the 8.163 billion yuan export value in 2024. These figures align closely with previous predictions by Nanjixiong.
Additionally, a batch of 3D printer parts was also exported. Measured by weight, China exported 612.19 tons of 3D printer parts in 2025, with a total value of 1.806 billion yuan. Including the export value of parts, the total export value of 3D printing-related products in 2025 reached 13.161 billion yuan.
In terms of the breakdown of exported 3D printing equipment, desktop 3D printers continue to dominate overwhelmingly.
Additive manufacturing equipment using metal materials: 1,509 units
Additive manufacturing equipment using plastic or rubber materials: 5,021,968 units
Additive manufacturing equipment using gypsum, cement, or ceramic materials: 43 units
Additive manufacturing equipment using paper or pulp materials: 640 units
Other additive manufacturing equipment: 640 units
Europe and America Remain the Largest Markets
In terms of export destinations, the United States remains the largest market, with nearly 2 million units, accounting for 39.2% of total exports. Germany ranks second with approximately 1 million units, accounting for about 20%. Together, the U.S. and Germany account for nearly 60% of China’s 3D printer exports. Brazil surpassed the United Kingdom to claim third place, with exports to both countries exceeding 200,000 units each. Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, and Poland fall within the range of 100,000 units. Japan and India are in the tens of thousands range.
China exported 1,509 units of metal 3D printing equipment in 2025.
While China has already captured the vast majority of the global market for desktop 3D printers, what about metal 3D printers? In 2025, China exported a total of 1,509 metal 3D printers, with a value of approximately 540 million yuan and an average unit price of 358,000 yuan—not particularly high. It is speculated that this likely includes many low-cost metal 3D printing devices used in the dental industry.
Research indicates that the customer countries for these exported metal 3D printers differ from those for desktop models. The top destination for domestically produced metal 3D printers was Australia, with 256 units exported. India and Mexico tied for second place, each receiving 157 units, while Germany ranked fourth with 73 units.
China’s position in the 3D printing industry has evolved from following the lead of Europe and America to running alongside them, and in certain areas, it has even taken the lead.
