Ballpoint pen imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of ballpoint pen by Kenya reached $3.2 million in 2024 (1.9 thousand tonnes). That is 12% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $6.2 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 | $3.2M | 1.9K t |
| 2023 | $3.7M | 1.8K t |
| 2022 | $6.2M | 2.0K t |
| 2021 | $3.5M | 637 t |
| 2020 | $1.4M | 432 t |
| 2019 | $4.1M | 307 t |
| 2018 | $5.3M | 1.5K t |
| 2017 | $3.9M | 111 t |
Where Kenya imports ballpoint pen from
One supplier dominates: India accounted for 69% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $2.2M | 69% |
| China | $742K | 23% |
| Japan | $54K | 1.7% |
| Indonesia | $47K | 1.5% |
| Germany | $32K | 1% |
| South Africa | $31K | 0.9% |
| Bangladesh | $24K | 0.8% |
| Tanzania | $22K | 0.7% |
| France | $16K | 0.5% |
| Malaysia | $9K | 0.3% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.75 per kg, 87% below the world average of $13.33, 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.
Ballpoint pen exports from Kenya
Kenya exported $14.4 million of ballpoint pen in 2024 (1.4 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Uganda (48%), Ethiopia (19%), Rwanda (16%). Among the main buyer markets, DR Congo grew fastest (+131% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Uganda | $6.9M | 48% |
| Ethiopia | $2.7M | 19% |
| Rwanda | $2.3M | 16% |
| Burundi | $762K | 5.3% |
| Tanzania | $714K | 5% |
| DR Congo | $410K | 2.9% |
| South Sudan | $258K | 1.8% |
| Malawi | $153K | 1.1% |
| Egypt | $86K | 0.6% |
| Mozambique | $10K | 0.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya ballpoint pen imports (HS 9608.10): 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 9608.10: Pens: ball point.
Common questions
What is the value of ballpoint pen imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported ballpoint pen worth $3.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.9 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 92nd of 221 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 12% on 2023.
Which countries supply ballpoint pen to Kenya?
India was the largest supplier with 69% of the value ($2.2 million), followed by China (23%) and Japan (2%). The top three together account for 93%, out of 63 supplier countries in total. Malaysia grew fastest among the top ten, up 216% on the year.
What is the average import price of ballpoint pen per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.75 per kg in 2024, 87% below the world average of $13.33 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of ballpoint pen to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $3.9 million in 2017 to $3.2 million in 2024, a fall of 17%. The peak was 2022 at $6.2 million. Over 8 years the average was $3.9 million a year.
Does Kenya also export ballpoint pen?
Yes. Kenya exported $14.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Uganda, Ethiopia and Rwanda. That compares with imports of $3.2 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for ballpoint pen?
The HS code for ballpoint pen is subheading 9608.10. It sits in HS chapter 96 (miscellaneous manufactured articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 9608 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; the company-level detail sits in EximDataX, which has a direct customs feed for Kenya. Tell us your product to see it live.
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