Cosmetic exports from Kenya: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of cosmetic by Kenya reached $24.3 million in 2024 (7.6 thousand tonnes). Value rose 11% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 41% a year on average.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $24.3M | 7.6K t |
| 2023 | $21.8M | 6.3K t |
| 2022 | $16.9M | 4.9K t |
| 2021 | $13.6M | 4.7K t |
| 2020 | $12.1M | 4.3K t |
| 2019 | $10.9M | 3.9K t |
| 2018 | $8.7M | 2.9K t |
| 2017 | $2.2M | 598 t |
Where Kenya exports cosmetic to
Most of it went to Uganda (31%), Rwanda (25%), Tanzania (22%). Among the main buyer markets, DR Congo grew fastest (+383% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Uganda | $7.5M | 31% |
| Rwanda | $6.0M | 25% |
| Tanzania | $5.4M | 22% |
| France | $1.7M | 7.2% |
| Burundi | $847K | 3.5% |
| South Sudan | $723K | 3% |
| DR Congo | $692K | 2.9% |
| United Kingdom | $223K | 0.9% |
| Ethiopia | $175K | 0.7% |
| Somalia | $131K | 0.5% |
Product types under HS 3304
| 3304.99 | Cosmetic and toilet preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for the care of the skin (excluding medicaments, including sunscreen or sun tan… | 99% |
| 3304.91 | Cosmetic and toilet preparations: powders, whether or not compressed (excluding lip, eye, manicure or pedicure preparations) | 0.8% |
| 3304.30 | Cosmetic and toilet preparations: manicure or pedicure preparations | 0.4% |
| 3304.20 | Cosmetic and toilet preparations: eye make-up | 0.2% |
| 3304.10 | Cosmetic and toilet preparations: lip make-up | 0.2% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3304.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.18 per kg, 85% below the world average of $21.51, 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.
Cosmetic imports to Kenya
Imports of cosmetic by Kenya reached $23.4 million in 2024 (8.0 thousand tonnes). Most of the value came from Uganda (17%), United Arab Emirates (12%), South Africa (11%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 40%. Among the main suppliers, France grew fastest (+94% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Uganda | $3.9M | 17% |
| United Arab Emirates | $2.8M | 12% |
| South Africa | $2.6M | 11% |
| China | $2.4M | 10% |
| Tanzania | $2.3M | 9.6% |
| India | $1.3M | 5.6% |
| France | $914K | 3.9% |
| United Kingdom | $875K | 3.7% |
| Cote d'Ivoire | $830K | 3.6% |
| South Korea | $789K | 3.4% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya cosmetic exports (HS 3304): 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.
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 3304: Cosmetic and toilet preparations; beauty, make-up and skin care preparations (excluding medicaments, including sunscreen or sun tan preparations), manicure or pedicure preparations.
Common questions
What is the value of cosmetic exported by Kenya?
Kenya exported cosmetic worth $24.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 7.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 65th of 220 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was up 11% on 2023.
Which countries buy cosmetic from Kenya?
Uganda was the largest buyer with 31% of the value ($7.5 million), followed by Rwanda (25%) and Tanzania (22%). The top three together account for 78%, out of 77 buyer countries in total. The DR Congo grew fastest among the top ten, up 383% on the year.
What is the average export price of cosmetic per kg?
The average declared export value was about $3.18 per kg in 2024, 85% below the world average of $21.51 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have exports of cosmetic from Kenya changed since 2017?
Exports went from $2.2 million in 2017 to $24.3 million in 2024. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $13.8 million a year.
Does Kenya also import cosmetic?
Yes. Kenya imported $23.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Uganda, the United Arab Emirates and South Africa. That compares with exports of $24.3 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for cosmetic?
The HS code for cosmetic is heading 3304. In Kenya the largest six-digit codes were 3304.99 (98% of the value) and 3304.91 (1%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX has a direct customs feed for Kenya, so the importers and exporters behind these totals are visible by name, shipment by shipment. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
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.