Sewing machine imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, Kenya imported sewing machine worth $20.3 million (2.4 thousand tonnes). Value rose 67% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 20% 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 | $20.3M | 2.4K t |
| 2023 | $12.2M | 1.7K t |
| 2022 | $12.3M | 1.5K t |
| 2021 | $11.5M | 812 t |
| 2020 | $7.6M | 1.5K t |
| 2019 | $10.2M | 908 t |
| 2018 | $8.9M | 979 t |
| 2017 | $5.7M | 578 t |
Where Kenya imports sewing machine from
China alone supplied 71% of it. Among the main suppliers, Taiwan grew fastest (+391% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $14.3M | 71% |
| Taiwan | $1.4M | 7.1% |
| India | $1.3M | 6.3% |
| Singapore | $1.1M | 5.3% |
| Sri Lanka | $619K | 3.1% |
| United Arab Emirates | $613K | 3% |
| Turkey | $153K | 0.8% |
| Hong Kong | $140K | 0.7% |
| Italy | $140K | 0.7% |
| Japan | $130K | 0.6% |
Product types under HS 8452
| 8452.21 | Automatic industrial sewing machines | 37% |
| 8452.29 | Industrial sewing machines (manual) | 37% |
| 8452.90 | Sewing machine parts and accessories | 16% |
| 8452.10 | Household sewing machines | 8.2% |
| 8452.30 | Sewing machine needles | 1.7% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8452.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $8.53 per kg, 32% below the world average of $12.51, 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.
Sewing machine exports from Kenya
Exports of sewing machine by Kenya reached $1.2 million in 2024 (216 tonnes). South Sudan alone took 75% of it.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Sudan | $885K | 75% |
| United Kingdom | $127K | 11% |
| Zambia | $67K | 5.7% |
| Ethiopia | $36K | 3% |
| Nigeria | $19K | 1.6% |
| Sri Lanka | $16K | 1.4% |
| Egypt | $16K | 1.3% |
| Malawi | $4K | 0.3% |
| Burundi | $4K | 0.3% |
| Hong Kong | $4K | 0.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya sewing machine imports (HS 8452): 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 8452: Sewing machines; other than book-sewing machines of heading no. 8440; furniture, bases and covers specially designed for sewing machines; sewing machine needles.
Common questions
What is the value of sewing machine imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported sewing machine worth $20.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 49th of 214 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 67% on 2023.
Which countries supply sewing machine to Kenya?
China was the largest supplier with 71% of the value ($14.3 million), followed by Taiwan (7%) and India (6%). The top three together account for 84%, out of 50 supplier countries in total. Taiwan grew fastest among the top ten, up 391% on the year.
What is the average import price of sewing machine per kg?
The average declared import value was about $8.53 per kg in 2024, 32% below the world average of $12.51 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of sewing machine to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $5.7 million in 2017 to $20.3 million in 2024, an increase of 254%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $11.1 million a year.
Does Kenya also export sewing machine?
Yes. Kenya exported $1.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to South Sudan, the United Kingdom and Zambia. On balance Kenya is a net importer of this product, by about $19.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for sewing machine?
The HS code for sewing machine is heading 8452. In Kenya the largest six-digit codes were 8452.21 (37% of the value) and 8452.29 (37%).
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
Sewing machine product types in Kenya
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