Manual and towed forklifts imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
Kenya imported $5.4 million of manual and towed forklifts in 2024 (1.2 thousand tonnes). That is 18% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 23% a year on average.
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 | $5.4M | 1.2K t |
| 2023 | $4.6M | 933 t |
| 2022 | $5.7M | 1.3K t |
| 2021 | $3.6M | 937 t |
| 2020 | $6.6M | 1.2K t |
| 2019 | $3.5M | 989 t |
| 2018 | $1.3M | 399 t |
| 2017 | $1.3M | 306 t |
Where Kenya imports manual and towed forklifts from
China alone supplied 64% of it. Among the main suppliers, South Africa grew fastest (+169% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $3.5M | 64% |
| Japan | $472K | 8.7% |
| Hong Kong | $346K | 6.4% |
| India | $254K | 4.7% |
| South Africa | $253K | 4.7% |
| Netherlands | $184K | 3.4% |
| Sweden | $120K | 2.2% |
| Uganda | $93K | 1.7% |
| Denmark | $61K | 1.1% |
| United Kingdom | $54K | 1% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.35 per kg, close to the world average of $4.32.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Manual and towed forklifts exports from Kenya
In 2024, Kenya exported manual and towed forklifts worth $549 thousand (99 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Rwanda accounted for 56% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Tanzania grew fastest (+100% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Rwanda | $310K | 56% |
| Uganda | $191K | 35% |
| Tanzania | $49K | 8.9% |
| United Kingdom | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya manual and towed forklifts imports (HS 8427.90): 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 8427.90: Fork-lift and other works trucks: fitted with lifting or handling equipment, not self-propelled.
Common questions
What is the value of manual and towed forklifts imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported manual and towed forklifts worth $5.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 52nd of 219 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 18% on 2023.
Which countries supply manual and towed forklifts to Kenya?
China was the largest supplier with 64% of the value ($3.5 million), followed by Japan (9%) and Hong Kong (6%). The top three together account for 79%, out of 20 supplier countries in total. South Africa grew fastest among the top ten, up 169% on the year.
What is the average import price of manual and towed forklifts per kg?
The average declared import value was about $4.35 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $4.32 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of manual and towed forklifts to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $1.3 million in 2017 to $5.4 million in 2024, an increase of 314%. The peak was 2020 at $6.6 million. Over 8 years the average was $4.0 million a year.
Does Kenya also export manual and towed forklifts?
Yes. Kenya exported $549 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania. On balance Kenya is a net importer of this product, by about $4.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for manual and towed forklifts?
The HS code for manual and towed forklifts is subheading 8427.90. It sits in HS chapter 84 (machinery and mechanical appliances, boilers, nuclear reactors; parts thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8427 page.
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.
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