Waste paper imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
Kenya imported $4.3 million of waste paper in 2024 (16.4 thousand tonnes). That is 155% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 79% 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 | $4.3M | 16.4K t |
| 2023 | $1.7M | 8.8K t |
| 2022 | $3.3M | 12.3K t |
| 2021 | $1.0M | 5.2K t |
| 2020 | $477K | 2.6K t |
| 2019 | $2.9M | 10.9K t |
| 2018 | $683K | 4.4K t |
| 2017 | $72K | 637 t |
Where Kenya imports waste paper from
Most of the value came from United States (40%), Taiwan (15%), United Arab Emirates (8%). Among the main suppliers, Uganda grew fastest (+923% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $1.7M | 40% |
| Taiwan | $621K | 15% |
| United Arab Emirates | $336K | 7.9% |
| South Korea | $285K | 6.7% |
| Algeria | $191K | 4.5% |
| Chile | $177K | 4.2% |
| Uganda | $168K | 4% |
| Japan | $159K | 3.7% |
| Hong Kong | $140K | 3.3% |
| Qatar | $118K | 2.8% |
Product types under HS 4707
| 4707.90 | Mixed paper and cardboard waste | 67% |
| 4707.10 | Kraft and corrugated cardboard waste | 19% |
| 4707.20 | Bleached paper waste | 12% |
| 4707.30 | Newspaper and magazine waste | 2.4% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 4707.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.26 per kg, 37% above the world average of $0.19. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Waste paper exports from Kenya
In 2024, Kenya exported waste paper worth $1.2 million (7.6 thousand tonnes). Uganda alone took 82% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Uganda grew fastest (+211% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Uganda | $1.0M | 82% |
| Tanzania | $99K | 7.9% |
| India | $53K | 4.3% |
| Greece | $38K | 3% |
| DR Congo | $19K | 1.5% |
| Singapore | $17K | 1.4% |
| Rwanda | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya waste paper imports (HS 4707): 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 4707: Waste and scrap of paper and paperboard.
Common questions
What is the value of waste paper imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported waste paper worth $4.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 16.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 57th of 183 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 155% on 2023.
Which countries supply waste paper to Kenya?
The United States was the largest supplier with 40% of the value ($1.7 million), followed by Taiwan (15%) and the United Arab Emirates (8%). The top three together account for 62%, out of 25 supplier countries in total. Uganda grew fastest among the top ten, up 923% on the year.
What is the average import price of waste paper per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.26 per kg in 2024, 37% above the world average of $0.19 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of waste paper to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $72 thousand in 2017 to $4.3 million in 2024. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $1.8 million a year.
Does Kenya also export waste paper?
Yes. Kenya exported $1.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Uganda, Tanzania and India. On balance Kenya is a net importer of this product, by about $3.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for waste paper?
The HS code for waste paper is heading 4707. In Kenya the largest six-digit codes were 4707.90 (67% of the value) and 4707.10 (19%).
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
Waste paper product types in Kenya
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