The U.S. Commerce Department released the trade data on Wednesday. The U.S. trade deficit narrowed to $40.81 billion in September from a deficit of $48.02 billion in August. August's figure was revised up from a deficit of $43.30 billion.

Analysts had expected a trade deficit of $41.1 billion.

The decline of a deficit was driven by a rise in exports. Exports climbed by 1.6% in September, while imports decreased by 1.8%.

Exports to Canada, China and the European Union increased in September, while exports to Japan declined by 13.8%, the lowest level since April 2010.

Imports from China climbed 3.8% in September.