Plastic waste (other) imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of plastic waste (other) by Kenya reached $3.5 million in 2024 (10.1 thousand tonnes). Value rose 55% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 46% 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 | $3.5M | 10.1K t |
| 2023 | $2.2M | 6.1K t |
| 2022 | $2.9M | 5.5K t |
| 2021 | $3.5M | 5.2K t |
| 2020 | $1.8M | 4.2K t |
| 2019 | $1.9M | 3.0K t |
| 2018 | $495K | 1.3K t |
| 2017 | $240K | 908 t |
Where Kenya imports plastic waste (other) from
The largest suppliers were China (44%), Uganda (23%), Japan (16%). Among the main suppliers, Uganda grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $1.5M | 44% |
| Uganda | $802K | 23% |
| Japan | $549K | 16% |
| France | $131K | 3.8% |
| Spain | $102K | 2.9% |
| Lithuania | $94K | 2.7% |
| Malaysia | $50K | 1.4% |
| Tanzania | $41K | 1.2% |
| Thailand | $40K | 1.2% |
| Portugal | $29K | 0.8% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.35 per kg, close to the world average of $0.43.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Plastic waste (other) exports from Kenya
In 2024, Kenya exported plastic waste (other) worth $2.5 million (5.1 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Vietnam (48%), Uganda (13%), Malaysia (9%). Among the main buyer markets, Germany grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | $1.2M | 49% |
| Uganda | $326K | 13% |
| Malaysia | $218K | 8.6% |
| Germany | $213K | 8.4% |
| Ireland | $140K | 5.5% |
| Portugal | $109K | 4.3% |
| Pakistan | $108K | 4.3% |
| 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 (other) imports (HS 3915.90): 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 3915.90: Plastics n.e.c. in heading no. 3915: waste, parings and scrap.
Common questions
What is the value of plastic waste (other) imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported plastic waste (other) worth $3.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 10.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 49th of 185 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 55% on 2023.
Which countries supply plastic waste (other) to Kenya?
China was the largest supplier with 44% of the value ($1.5 million), followed by Uganda (23%) and Japan (16%). The top three together account for 83%, out of 21 supplier countries in total. Thailand grew fastest among the top ten, up 141% on the year.
What is the average import price of plastic waste (other) per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.35 per kg in 2024, 19% below the world average of $0.43 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of plastic waste (other) to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $240 thousand in 2017 to $3.5 million in 2024. The peak was 2021 at $3.5 million. Over 8 years the average was $2.1 million a year.
Does Kenya also export plastic waste (other)?
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 $941 thousand a year.
What is the HS code for plastic waste (other)?
The HS code for plastic waste (other) is subheading 3915.90. It sits in HS chapter 39 (plastics and articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3915 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 plastic waste (other) trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for Kenya
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