Automotive lighting imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of automotive lighting by Kenya reached $9.5 million in 2024 (1.8 thousand tonnes). That is 22% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 5% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $13.7 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $9.5M | 1.8K t |
| 2023 | $7.8M | 1.3K t |
| 2022 | $8.8M | 1.5K t |
| 2021 | $8.8M | 1.5K t |
| 2020 | $8.2M | 1.7K t |
| 2019 | $8.4M | 1.4K t |
| 2018 | $13.1M | 778 t |
| 2017 | $13.7M | 655 t |
Where Kenya imports automotive lighting from
China alone supplied 67% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $6.3M | 67% |
| Taiwan | $584K | 6.2% |
| India | $425K | 4.5% |
| Japan | $345K | 3.6% |
| Thailand | $302K | 3.2% |
| South Africa | $296K | 3.1% |
| United Kingdom | $226K | 2.4% |
| Germany | $199K | 2.1% |
| United States | $124K | 1.3% |
| United Arab Emirates | $78K | 0.8% |
Product types under HS 8512
| 8512.20 | Motor vehicle lights | 72% |
| 8512.90 | Vehicle lighting and wiper parts | 14% |
| 8512.40 | Windscreen wipers and defrosters | 7.3% |
| 8512.30 | Vehicle horns and signals | 6.1% |
| 8512.10 | Bicycle lights | 1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8512.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $5.28 per kg, 80% below the world average of $25.79, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya automotive lighting imports (HS 8512): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
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 8512: Lighting or visual signalling equipment (excluding articles of heading no. 8539), windscreen wipers, defrosters and demisters; electrical, of a kind used for cycles or motor vehicles.
Common questions
What is the value of automotive lighting imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported automotive lighting worth $9.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 96th of 223 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 22% on 2023.
Which countries supply automotive lighting to Kenya?
China was the largest supplier with 67% of the value ($6.3 million), followed by Taiwan (6%) and India (4%). The top three together account for 78%, out of 54 supplier countries in total. The United Kingdom grew fastest among the top ten, up 399% on the year.
What is the average import price of automotive lighting per kg?
The average declared import value was about $5.28 per kg in 2024, 80% below the world average of $25.79 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of automotive lighting to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $13.7 million in 2017 to $9.5 million in 2024, a fall of 31%. The peak was 2017 at $13.7 million. Over 8 years the average was $9.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for automotive lighting?
The HS code for automotive lighting is heading 8512. In Kenya the largest six-digit codes were 8512.20 (72% of the value) and 8512.90 (14%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Shipment-level records for Kenya reach EximDataX from a direct customs feed, with company names, dates and declared values. We can show them for your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World automotive lighting trade: top importers and exporters
Automotive lighting product types in Kenya
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