Covered freight cars trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in covered freight cars was worth $2.47 billion in 2024, about 152.9 thousand tonnes. Trade has moved a lot over the period, and up 318% on 2023.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
World trade by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2.47B | 152.9K t |
| 2023 | $590.8M | 179.8K t |
| 2022 | $296.5M | 89.1K t |
| 2021 | $811.0M | 407.2K t |
| 2020 | $252.4M | 133.1K t |
| 2019 | $223.7M | 122.9K t |
| 2018 | $285.1M | 132.5K t |
| 2017 | $216.8M | 143.3K t |
Top covered freight cars exporting countries
Exports are led by Mexico (83%), Canada (5%) and Russia (3%). 45 countries reported exports, and the top three account for 91%.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | $2.05B | 83% |
| Canada | $113.3M | 4.6% |
| Russia | $85.7M | 3.5% |
| United States | $41.0M | 1.7% |
| Bulgaria | $28.9M | 1.2% |
| China | $28.0M | 1.1% |
| Poland | $22.0M | 0.9% |
| Slovakia | $19.1M | 0.8% |
| India | $18.3M | 0.7% |
| Austria | $15.3M | 0.6% |
| Croatia | $10.5M | 0.4% |
| Spain | $8.0M | 0.3% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
The United States is the biggest buyer with 88% of world imports, ahead of Kazakhstan and Germany. Demand is concentrated: the top three take 93% across 51 importing countries.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $2.16B | 88% |
| Kazakhstan | $86.9M | 3.5% |
| Germany | $41.0M | 1.7% |
| Mexico | $40.8M | 1.7% |
| Bangladesh | $29.2M | 1.2% |
| France | $22.0M | 0.9% |
| Poland | $19.9M | 0.8% |
| Uruguay | $8.0M | 0.3% |
| Austria | $7.1M | 0.3% |
| Pakistan | $7.0M | 0.3% |
| Tanzania | $5.8M | 0.2% |
| Czech Republic | $4.6M | 0.2% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $16.15 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Mexico averaged $1,140.35 per kg and Canada $1.86 per kg, so grade and origin matter.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments worldwide. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Who is behind these numbers in this market?
The shipment records behind Covered freight cars (HS 8606.91) importers and exporters, worldwide: companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 8606.91: Railway or tramway goods vans and wagons: covered and closed, not self-propelled. HS 8606 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most covered freight cars?
Mexico exported $2.05 billion in 2024, 83% of the world total, followed by Canada (5%) and Russia (3%). In all, 45 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most covered freight cars?
The United States imported $2.16 billion in 2024, 88% of world imports, ahead of Kazakhstan (4%) and Germany (2%). The top three importers together take 93%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in covered freight cars?
It was worth $2.47 billion in 2024, about 152.9 thousand tonnes. 2024 was the highest year since 2017. 45 countries reported exports and 51 reported imports.
What is the average price of covered freight cars per kg?
The world average declared value was about $16.15 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Mexico averaged $1,140.35 per kg and Canada $1.86 per kg, so grade and origin matter. The average mixes every grade and size, so use it as a market reference rather than an offer.
What is the HS code for covered freight cars?
The HS code for covered freight cars is subheading 8606.91, in chapter 86 (railway, tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and parts thereof; railway or tramway track fixtures and fittings and parts thereof; mechanical (including electro-mechanical) traffic signalling equipment of all kinds). The first six digits are the same in every country; national tariffs add more. The full list of codes is on the HS 8606 page.
How can I find covered freight cars buyers and suppliers?
The rankings here stop at countries; EximDataX goes down to the companies trading covered freight cars, from direct customs feeds and mirror data. Tell us your markets to see them live.
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