Manual and towed forklifts trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in manual and towed forklifts was worth $1.77 billion in 2024, about 408.3 thousand tonnes. That is an increase of 67% since 2017, and up 11% 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 | $1.77B | 408.3K t |
| 2023 | $1.59B | 348.1K t |
| 2022 | $1.64B | 372.7K t |
| 2021 | $1.36B | 341.1K t |
| 2020 | $1.13B | 270.1K t |
| 2019 | $1.28B | 323.0K t |
| 2018 | $1.37B | 350.8K t |
| 2017 | $1.05B | 281.3K t |
Top manual and towed forklifts exporting countries
China is the largest exporter with 36% of world exports, followed by Italy and the Netherlands. The top three supply 54% between them, out of 146 exporting countries.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $644.1M | 37% |
| Italy | $187.5M | 11% |
| Netherlands | $125.2M | 7.1% |
| United States | $116.7M | 6.6% |
| India | $76.4M | 4.3% |
| Germany | $75.3M | 4.3% |
| Sweden | $53.9M | 3.1% |
| Ireland | $52.1M | 3% |
| United Kingdom | $47.7M | 2.7% |
| Vietnam | $47.5M | 2.7% |
| France | $45.3M | 2.6% |
| Malaysia | $29.7M | 1.7% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
The largest importers are the United States (22%), Canada (9%) and Germany (5%). 219 countries imported it, and the top three take 35% of the value.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $388.4M | 22% |
| Canada | $151.7M | 8.6% |
| Germany | $86.2M | 4.9% |
| India | $82.9M | 4.7% |
| France | $60.6M | 3.4% |
| Malaysia | $47.5M | 2.7% |
| Russia | $39.4M | 2.2% |
| Netherlands | $38.4M | 2.2% |
| Australia | $37.1M | 2.1% |
| United Kingdom | $34.8M | 2% |
| Singapore | $32.7M | 1.9% |
| Indonesia | $32.4M | 1.8% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $4.32 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Ireland averaged $8.95 per kg and China $3.23 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.
Related product types
Who is behind these numbers in this market?
The shipment records behind Manual and towed forklifts (HS 8427.90) importers and exporters, worldwide: companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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 8427.90: Fork-lift and other works trucks: fitted with lifting or handling equipment, not self-propelled. HS 8427 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most manual and towed forklifts?
China exported $644.1 million in 2024, 36% of the world total, followed by Italy (11%) and the Netherlands (7%). In all, 146 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most manual and towed forklifts?
The United States imported $388.4 million in 2024, 22% of world imports, ahead of Canada (9%) and Germany (5%). The top three importers together take 35%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in manual and towed forklifts?
It was worth $1.77 billion in 2024, about 408.3 thousand tonnes. That is an increase of 67% since 2017. 2024 was the highest year since 2017. 146 countries reported exports and 219 reported imports.
What is the average price of manual and towed forklifts per kg?
The world average declared value was about $4.32 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Ireland averaged $8.95 per kg and China $3.23 per kg, so grade and origin matter. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so treat it as a benchmark, not a quote.
What is the HS code for manual and towed forklifts?
The HS code for manual and towed forklifts is subheading 8427.90, in chapter 84 (machinery and mechanical appliances, boilers, nuclear reactors; parts thereof). The first six digits are the same in every country; national tariffs add more. The full list of codes is on the HS 8427 page.
How can I find manual and towed forklifts buyers and suppliers?
EximDataX shows the importers and exporters of manual and towed forklifts by name, from shipment-level customs records updated weekly. Ask for a live look at the markets you sell to.
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.