China’s exports saw the fastest growth in 19 months, expanding by 15.3 percent from a year ago to $213.7 billion in September, customs data showed on Oct 13.

Imports increased 7 percent year-on-year to $182.7 billion and total foreign trade volume rose 11.3 percent to $396.4 billion, the General Administration of Customs (GAC) said.

The growth rate in imports in September also marked the highest level since December 2013, according to GAC.

Trade surplus in September more than double from last year to $31 billion, compared with $49.8 billion seen in August.

For the January-September period, China’s foreign trade added 3.3 percent year on year to reach $3.16 trillion , with exports up 5.1 percent at $1.7 trillion, imports up 1.3 percent at $1.46 trillion.

Trade surplus in the first three quarters expanded by 37.8 percent from previous year to $231.6 billion.