Steel shapes imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of steel shapes by Kenya reached $26.8 million in 2024 (36.2 thousand tonnes). Value rose 18% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 12% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2021, at $57.6 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 | $26.8M | 36.2K t |
| 2023 | $22.7M | 27.5K t |
| 2022 | $48.1M | 55.1K t |
| 2021 | $57.6M | 71.5K t |
| 2020 | $37.4M | 58.7K t |
| 2019 | $34.3M | 50.0K t |
| 2018 | $24.2M | 32.3K t |
| 2017 | $12.5M | 20.0K t |
Where Kenya imports steel shapes from
China alone supplied 83% of it. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+36% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $22.1M | 83% |
| Uganda | $2.9M | 11% |
| India | $552K | 2.1% |
| South Africa | $317K | 1.2% |
| United Arab Emirates | $156K | 0.6% |
| Bahrain | $120K | 0.5% |
| Tanzania | $95K | 0.4% |
| Poland | $92K | 0.3% |
| Germany | $74K | 0.3% |
| Spain | $74K | 0.3% |
Product types under HS 7216
| 7216.32 | Steel I-sections | 34% |
| 7216.33 | Steel H-sections | 34% |
| 7216.50 | Hot-rolled steel angles | 12% |
| 7216.31 | Steel U-sections | 6.1% |
| 7216.91 | Cold-formed angle nes | 5.2% |
| 7216.99 | Steel angles miscellaneous | 3.7% |
| 7216.10 | Steel sections small | 1.3% |
| 7216.61 | Cold-formed steel profile | 1.3% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 7216.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.74 per kg, close to the world average of $0.87.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Steel shapes exports from Kenya
Kenya exported $5.0 million of steel shapes in 2024 (5.3 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Uganda (39%), Rwanda (32%), Burundi (15%).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Uganda | $2.0M | 39% |
| Rwanda | $1.6M | 32% |
| Burundi | $730K | 15% |
| Tanzania | $329K | 6.6% |
| DR Congo | $227K | 4.6% |
| Somalia | $79K | 1.6% |
| South Sudan | $77K | 1.6% |
| France | $3K | 0.1% |
| China | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya steel shapes imports (HS 7216): 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 7216: Iron or non-alloy steel, angles, shapes and sections.
Common questions
What is the value of steel shapes imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported steel shapes worth $26.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 36.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 93rd of 221 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 18% on 2023.
Which countries supply steel shapes to Kenya?
China was the largest supplier with 83% of the value ($22.1 million), followed by Uganda (11%) and India (2%). The top three together account for 95%, out of 27 supplier countries in total. Germany grew fastest among the top ten, up 810% on the year.
What is the average import price of steel shapes per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.74 per kg in 2024, 15% below the world average of $0.87 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of steel shapes to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $12.5 million in 2017 to $26.8 million in 2024, an increase of 114%. The peak was 2021 at $57.6 million. Over 8 years the average was $32.9 million a year.
Does Kenya also export steel shapes?
Yes. Kenya exported $5.0 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. On balance Kenya is a net importer of this product, by about $21.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for steel shapes?
The HS code for steel shapes is heading 7216. In Kenya the largest six-digit codes were 7216.32 (34% of the value) and 7216.33 (34%).
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
Steel shapes product types in Kenya
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