Trucks drive past piles of shipping containers at the Qingdao Port, Shandong province June 8, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

BEIJING - China's exports rose 11.6 percent year on year to $206.87 billion in October, customs data showed on Saturday.

The growth rate for October has decelerated compared to September's 15.3 percent, which was a fastest growth rate in 19 months.

Imports in October stood at $161.46 billion, up 4.6 percent, according to the data released by the General Administration of Customs (GAC).

Total exports and imports in the month amounted to $368.33 billion, up 8.4 percent year on year.

"Imports and exports in October have both extended a growth trend from the previous month," the GAC said in a press release.

In the first ten months of this year, China's total exports and imports hit $3.53 trillion, up 3.8 percent. The country also recorded a trade surplus of $277.11 billion during the Jan-Oct period, up 38.5 percent year on year, the data showed.