Plastic waste imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, Kenya imported plastic waste worth $4.1 million (11.5 thousand tonnes). Value rose 47% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 47% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2021, at $7.5 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 | $4.1M | 11.5K t |
| 2023 | $2.8M | 6.9K t |
| 2022 | $3.6M | 6.5K t |
| 2021 | $7.5M | 7.4K t |
| 2020 | $5.6M | 10.1K t |
| 2019 | $2.6M | 4.2K t |
| 2018 | $587K | 1.5K t |
| 2017 | $273K | 942 t |
Where Kenya imports plastic waste from
The largest suppliers were China (46%), Uganda (19%), Japan (17%). Among the main suppliers, Uganda grew fastest (+544% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $1.9M | 46% |
| Uganda | $802K | 19% |
| Japan | $724K | 18% |
| France | $131K | 3.2% |
| Spain | $102K | 2.5% |
| Lithuania | $94K | 2.3% |
| Taiwan | $82K | 2% |
| Malaysia | $50K | 1.2% |
| Tanzania | $41K | 1% |
| Thailand | $40K | 1% |
Product types under HS 3915
| 3915.90 | Plastic waste (other) | 84% |
| 3915.30 | Polyvinyl chloride scrap | 10% |
| 3915.10 | Polyethylene scrap | 4.1% |
| 3915.20 | Polystyrene scrap | 1.7% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3915.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.36 per kg, close to the world average of $0.42.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Plastic waste exports from Kenya
Exports of plastic waste by Kenya reached $2.5 million in 2024 (5.1 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Vietnam (48%), Uganda (13%), Malaysia (9%). Among the main buyer markets, Germany grew fastest (+110% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | $1.2M | 48% |
| Uganda | $326K | 13% |
| Malaysia | $218K | 8.6% |
| Germany | $213K | 8.4% |
| Ireland | $140K | 5.5% |
| Portugal | $109K | 4.3% |
| Pakistan | $108K | 4.2% |
| Taiwan | $73K | 2.9% |
| United Kingdom | $58K | 2.3% |
| Spain | $46K | 1.8% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya plastic waste imports (HS 3915): 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 3915: Waste, parings and scrap, of plastics.
Common questions
What is the value of plastic waste imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported plastic waste worth $4.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 11.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 58th of 188 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 47% on 2023.
Which countries supply plastic waste to Kenya?
China was the largest supplier with 46% of the value ($1.9 million), followed by Uganda (19%) and Japan (17%). The top three together account for 83%, out of 23 supplier countries in total. Uganda grew fastest among the top ten, up 544% on the year.
What is the average import price of plastic waste per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.36 per kg in 2024, 14% below the world average of $0.42 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of plastic waste to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $272 thousand in 2017 to $4.1 million in 2024. The peak was 2021 at $7.5 million. Over 8 years the average was $3.4 million a year.
Does Kenya also export plastic waste?
Yes. Kenya exported $2.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Vietnam, Uganda and Malaysia. On balance Kenya is a net importer of this product, by about $1.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for plastic waste?
The HS code for plastic waste is heading 3915. In Kenya the largest six-digit codes were 3915.90 (84% of the value) and 3915.30 (10%).
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
Plastic waste product types in Kenya
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