HONG KONG — China’s exports returned to growth in November following an unexpected contraction the month before, although shipments to the United States dropped nearly 29% from a year earlier in an eighth straight month of double-digit declines.

Overall exports from China were 5.9% higher than last year in November in dollar terms, customs data released on Monday showed, at $330.3 billion, better than economists’ estimates. That was an improvement from a 1.1% contraction in October.

While exports from China to the U.S. have fallen for most of the year, shipments have surged to other destinations, including Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America.

China's imports increased 1.9% in November, better than October’s 1% growth, even though a persistent downturn in the property sector is stil

See Full Page