Paper and cellulose articles (other) imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
Kenya imported $3.9 million of paper and cellulose articles (other) in 2024 (2.1 thousand tonnes). Value rose 60% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 61% 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 | $3.9M | 2.1K t |
| 2023 | $2.5M | 1.3K t |
| 2022 | $1.7M | 763 t |
| 2021 | $1.5M | 446 t |
| 2020 | $629K | 401 t |
| 2019 | $2.4M | 2.0K t |
| 2018 | $374K | 238 t |
| 2017 | $143K | 51 t |
Where Kenya imports paper and cellulose articles (other) from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 84% of the value. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+62% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $3.3M | 84% |
| India | $154K | 3.9% |
| Egypt | $146K | 3.7% |
| United Kingdom | $129K | 3.3% |
| Tunisia | $122K | 3.1% |
| Poland | $11K | 0.3% |
| Netherlands | $10K | 0.3% |
| United Arab Emirates | $10K | 0.3% |
| South Africa | $10K | 0.3% |
| South Korea | $7K | 0.2% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.91 per kg, 41% below the world average of $3.25, 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.
Paper and cellulose articles (other) exports from Kenya
In 2024, Kenya exported paper and cellulose articles (other) worth $225 thousand (104 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Rwanda accounted for 59% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Rwanda grew fastest (+266% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Rwanda | $133K | 59% |
| Tanzania | $47K | 21% |
| Uganda | $19K | 8.3% |
| Ethiopia | $14K | 6.4% |
| United Kingdom | $3K | 1.3% |
| Jordan | $2K | 1.1% |
| DR Congo | $2K | 1% |
| South Sudan | $1K | 0.5% |
| Somalia | $1K | 0.5% |
| France | $1K | 0.4% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya paper and cellulose articles (other) imports (HS 4818.90): 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 4818.90: Paper articles: articles of paper, cellulose wadding or fibres, n.e.c. in heading no. 4818.
Common questions
What is the value of paper and cellulose articles (other) imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported paper and cellulose articles (other) worth $3.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 64th of 221 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 60% on 2023.
Which countries supply paper and cellulose articles (other) to Kenya?
China was the largest supplier with 84% of the value ($3.3 million), followed by India (4%) and Egypt (4%). The top three together account for 91%, out of 30 supplier countries in total. The United Arab Emirates grew fastest among the top ten, up 749% on the year.
What is the average import price of paper and cellulose articles (other) per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.91 per kg in 2024, 41% below the world average of $3.25 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of paper and cellulose articles (other) to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $143 thousand in 2017 to $3.9 million in 2024. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $1.7 million a year.
Does Kenya also export paper and cellulose articles (other)?
Yes. Kenya exported $225 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. On balance Kenya is a net importer of this product, by about $3.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for paper and cellulose articles (other)?
The HS code for paper and cellulose articles (other) is subheading 4818.90. It sits in HS chapter 48 (paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or paperboard). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 4818 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.
Same product, other countries
World paper and cellulose articles (other) trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for Kenya
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.