Surveying instruments imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
Kenya imported $4.8 million of surveying instruments in 2024 (54 tonnes). That is 63% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2019, at $8.9 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 | $4.8M | 54 t |
| 2023 | $2.9M | 62 t |
| 2022 | $7.4M | 112 t |
| 2021 | $6.8M | 58 t |
| 2020 | $3.8M | 86 t |
| 2019 | $8.9M | 84 t |
| 2018 | $8.7M | 40 t |
| 2017 | $6.2M | 16 t |
Where Kenya imports surveying instruments from
Most of the value came from United States (16%), China (14%), France (13%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 43%. Among the main suppliers, Sweden grew fastest (+611% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $748K | 16% |
| China | $668K | 14% |
| France | $642K | 14% |
| United Kingdom | $615K | 13% |
| Canada | $404K | 8.5% |
| Sweden | $267K | 5.6% |
| Finland | $220K | 4.6% |
| Denmark | $217K | 4.6% |
| Switzerland | $143K | 3% |
| Spain | $123K | 2.6% |
Product types under HS 9015
| 9015.80 | Surveying instruments (other) | 77% |
| 9015.30 | Spirit levels and transit levels | 7.7% |
| 9015.90 | Surveying instrument parts | 7.7% |
| 9015.20 | Theodolites | 3.6% |
| 9015.10 | Rangefinders | 3.1% |
| 9015.40 | Photogrammetry equipment | 0.6% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 9015.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $87.44 per kg, close to the world average of $104.45.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Surveying instruments exports from Kenya
Exports of surveying instruments by Kenya reached $652 thousand in 2024 (13 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Mozambique (35%), Sweden (32%), Tanzania (7%). Among the main buyer markets, Mozambique grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mozambique | $230K | 35% |
| Sweden | $212K | 32% |
| Tanzania | $47K | 7.2% |
| United Kingdom | $36K | 5.6% |
| Somalia | $31K | 4.8% |
| United States | $28K | 4.3% |
| Burkina Faso | $21K | 3.1% |
| Republic of the Congo | $10K | 1.5% |
| Netherlands | $8K | 1.3% |
| Burundi | $7K | 1.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya surveying instruments imports (HS 9015): 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 9015: Surveying (including photogrammetrical surveying), hydrographic, oceanographic, hydrological, meteorological or geophysical instruments and appliances, excluding compasses, rangefinders.
Common questions
What is the value of surveying instruments imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported surveying instruments worth $4.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 54 tonnes. That ranks it 109th of 223 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 63% on 2023.
Which countries supply surveying instruments to Kenya?
The United States was the largest supplier with 16% of the value ($748 thousand), followed by China (14%) and France (13%). The top three together account for 43%, out of 40 supplier countries in total. Sweden grew fastest among the top ten, up 611% on the year.
What is the average import price of surveying instruments per kg?
The average declared import value was about $87.44 per kg in 2024, 16% below the world average of $104.45 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of surveying instruments to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $6.2 million in 2017 to $4.8 million in 2024, a fall of 24%. The peak was 2019 at $8.9 million. Over 8 years the average was $6.2 million a year.
Does Kenya also export surveying instruments?
Yes. Kenya exported $652 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Mozambique, Sweden and Tanzania. On balance Kenya is a net importer of this product, by about $4.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for surveying instruments?
The HS code for surveying instruments is heading 9015. In Kenya the largest six-digit codes were 9015.80 (77% of the value) and 9015.30 (8%).
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 surveying instruments trade: top importers and exporters
Surveying instruments product types in Kenya
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.