Printed books imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
Kenya imported $19.6 million of printed books in 2024 (4.6 thousand tonnes). The value was almost unchanged from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $44.2 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 | $19.6M | 4.6K t |
| 2023 | $19.3M | 4.3K t |
| 2022 | $44.2M | 7.2K t |
| 2021 | $17.8M | 3.7K t |
| 2020 | $13.1M | 2.9K t |
| 2019 | $27.0M | 7.5K t |
| 2018 | $30.5M | 4.0K t |
| 2017 | $12.2M | 2.0K t |
Where Kenya imports printed books from
Most of the value came from United Kingdom (33%), India (20%), China (19%). Among the main suppliers, South Korea grew fastest (+297% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $6.4M | 33% |
| India | $4.0M | 20% |
| China | $3.8M | 19% |
| United States | $1.4M | 7.4% |
| Nigeria | $861K | 4.4% |
| South Africa | $729K | 3.7% |
| South Korea | $563K | 2.9% |
| Spain | $553K | 2.8% |
| Japan | $197K | 1% |
| United Arab Emirates | $122K | 0.6% |
Product types under HS 4901
| 4901.99 | Printed matter: books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter n.e.c. in item no. 4901.10 or 4901.91 | 74% |
| 4901.10 | Printed single sheets and leaflets | 20% |
| 4901.91 | Printed dictionaries and encyclopaedias | 6.5% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 4901.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.30 per kg, 54% below the world average of $9.39, 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.
Printed books exports from Kenya
Kenya exported $8.2 million of printed books in 2024 (1.5 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were South Sudan (33%), Uganda (25%), Tanzania (17%). Among the main buyer markets, South Sudan grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Sudan | $2.7M | 33% |
| Uganda | $2.0M | 25% |
| Tanzania | $1.4M | 17% |
| Rwanda | $769K | 9.4% |
| Ethiopia | $733K | 8.9% |
| United Arab Emirates | $281K | 3.4% |
| Burundi | $90K | 1.1% |
| Somalia | $34K | 0.4% |
| South Africa | $27K | 0.3% |
| DR Congo | $23K | 0.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya printed books imports (HS 4901): 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 4901: Printed books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter, whether or not in single sheets.
Common questions
What is the value of printed books imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported printed books worth $19.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 4.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 74th of 225 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 1% on 2023.
Which countries supply printed books to Kenya?
The United Kingdom was the largest supplier with 33% of the value ($6.4 million), followed by India (20%) and China (19%). The top three together account for 72%, out of 113 supplier countries in total. South Korea grew fastest among the top ten, up 297% on the year.
What is the average import price of printed books per kg?
The average declared import value was about $4.30 per kg in 2024, 54% below the world average of $9.39 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of printed books to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $12.2 million in 2017 to $19.6 million in 2024, an increase of 60%. The peak was 2022 at $44.2 million. Over 8 years the average was $23.0 million a year.
Does Kenya also export printed books?
Yes. Kenya exported $8.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to South Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania. On balance Kenya is a net importer of this product, by about $11.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for printed books?
The HS code for printed books is heading 4901. In Kenya the largest six-digit codes were 4901.99 (74% of the value) and 4901.10 (20%).
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
Printed books product types in Kenya
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