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

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

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.

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