Vacuum tubes trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in vacuum tubes was worth $1.89 billion in 2024, about 22.4 thousand tonnes. That is an increase of 21% since 2017, and up 3% 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 | $1.89B | 22.4K t |
| 2023 | $1.83B | 31.0K t |
| 2022 | $1.72B | 29.7K t |
| 2021 | $1.95B | 69.1K t |
| 2020 | $1.66B | 37.9K t |
| 2019 | $1.64B | 29.6K t |
| 2018 | $1.69B | 70.5K t |
| 2017 | $1.56B | 80.0K t |
Top vacuum tubes exporting countries
The United States is the largest exporter with 20% of world exports, followed by France and Japan. The top three supply 51% between them, out of 127 exporting countries.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $382.4M | 20% |
| France | $312.8M | 17% |
| Japan | $270.2M | 14% |
| China | $186.1M | 9.9% |
| United Kingdom | $174.0M | 9.2% |
| Germany | $162.3M | 8.6% |
| Netherlands | $159.1M | 8.4% |
| Singapore | $35.0M | 1.9% |
| Thailand | $30.9M | 1.6% |
| Belgium | $14.1M | 0.7% |
| Czech Republic | $13.0M | 0.7% |
| Taiwan | $12.7M | 0.7% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
The United States is the biggest buyer with 14% of world imports, ahead of Greece and China. Demand is spread widely: the top three take 31% across 201 importing countries.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $257.7M | 14% |
| Greece | $178.9M | 9.5% |
| China | $156.8M | 8.3% |
| Germany | $114.0M | 6% |
| France | $100.1M | 5.3% |
| Japan | $95.9M | 5.1% |
| Netherlands | $95.7M | 5.1% |
| United Kingdom | $72.1M | 3.8% |
| South Korea | $69.2M | 3.7% |
| Singapore | $56.6M | 3% |
| India | $51.6M | 2.7% |
| Taiwan | $41.3M | 2.2% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $84.23 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, France averaged $2,378.78 per kg and China $17.47 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?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
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 8540: Thermionic, cold cathode or photo-cathode valves and tubes (e.g. vacuum, vapour, gas filled valves and tubes, mercury arc rectifying valves and tubes, cathode-ray and television camera tubes). HS 8540 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most vacuum tubes?
The United States exported $382.4 million in 2024, 20% of the world total, followed by France (17%) and Japan (14%). In all, 127 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most vacuum tubes?
The United States imported $257.7 million in 2024, 14% of world imports, ahead of Greece (9%) and China (8%). The top three importers together take 31%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in vacuum tubes?
It was worth $1.89 billion in 2024, about 22.4 thousand tonnes. That is an increase of 21% since 2017. The peak year was 2021 at $1.95 billion. 127 countries reported exports and 201 reported imports.
What is the average price of vacuum tubes per kg?
The world average declared value was about $84.23 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, France averaged $2,378.78 per kg and China $17.47 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 vacuum tubes?
The HS code for vacuum tubes is heading 8540, in chapter 85 (electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers, parts and accessories of such articles). Customs uses this code worldwide at the six-digit level; national tariffs add more digits. The full list of codes is on the HS 8540 page.
How can I find vacuum tubes buyers and suppliers?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX shows the importers and exporters behind this trade from shipment-level customs records, updated weekly, with direct customs feeds and mirror data. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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