Medical instruments imports in Namibia: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, Namibia imported medical instruments worth $39.7 million (1.3 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 2021, at $50.8 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 | $39.7M | 1.3K t |
| 2023 | $39.7M | 1.0K t |
| 2022 | $37.3M | 784 t |
| 2021 | $50.8M | 1.1K t |
| 2020 | $35.1M | 1.1K t |
| 2019 | $35.0M | 983 t |
| 2018 | $33.7M | 125 t |
| 2017 | $34.3M | 741 t |
Where Namibia imports medical instruments from
One supplier dominates: South Africa accounted for 54% of the value. Among the main suppliers, France grew fastest (+473% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $21.5M | 54% |
| United States | $4.0M | 10% |
| China | $3.0M | 7.6% |
| Germany | $1.8M | 4.5% |
| Hong Kong | $1.4M | 3.5% |
| France | $1.3M | 3.4% |
| India | $1.3M | 3.3% |
| Belgium | $860K | 2.2% |
| Japan | $463K | 1.2% |
| United Kingdom | $445K | 1.1% |
Product types under HS 9018
| 9018.90 | Medical instruments (other) | 69% |
| 9018.39 | Catheters and cannulae | 5.6% |
| 9018.31 | Medical syringes | 5.1% |
| 9018.12 | Ultrasound machines | 4.6% |
| 9018.49 | Dental instruments | 4.6% |
| 9018.32 | Medical needles | 3.7% |
| 9018.19 | Electrodiagnostic equipment | 3% |
| 9018.50 | Ophthalmic instruments | 2.5% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 9018.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $30.45 per kg, close to the world average of $37.39.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Medical instruments exports from Namibia
In 2024, Namibia exported medical instruments worth $724 thousand (6 tonnes). Most of it went to South Africa (42%), Malawi (42%), Germany (3%). Among the main buyer markets, United Kingdom grew fastest (+534% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $307K | 42% |
| Malawi | $301K | 42% |
| Germany | $21K | 2.9% |
| Slovakia | $19K | 2.6% |
| Angola | $18K | 2.5% |
| United Kingdom | $16K | 2.2% |
| Zimbabwe | $15K | 2.1% |
| Cyprus | $9K | 1.2% |
| Norway | $7K | 0.9% |
| Poland | $3K | 0.5% |
Who is behind these numbers in Namibia?
The shipment records behind Namibia medical instruments imports (HS 9018): 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 9018: Instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences, including scintigraphic apparatus, other electro-medical apparatus and sight testing instruments.
Common questions
What is the value of medical instruments imported by Namibia?
Namibia imported medical instruments worth $39.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 110th of 226 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 0% on 2023.
Which countries supply medical instruments to Namibia?
South Africa was the largest supplier with 54% of the value ($21.5 million), followed by the United States (10%) and China (8%). The top three together account for 72%, out of 82 supplier countries in total. France grew fastest among the top ten, up 473% on the year.
What is the average import price of medical instruments per kg?
The average declared import value was about $30.45 per kg in 2024, 19% below the world average of $37.39 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of medical instruments to Namibia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $34.3 million in 2017 to $39.7 million in 2024, an increase of 16%. The peak was 2021 at $50.8 million. Over 8 years the average was $38.2 million a year.
Does Namibia also export medical instruments?
Yes. Namibia exported $724 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to South Africa, Malawi and Germany. On balance Namibia is a net importer of this product, by about $38.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for medical instruments?
The HS code for medical instruments is heading 9018. In Namibia the largest six-digit codes were 9018.90 (69% of the value) and 9018.39 (6%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Shipment-level records for Namibia 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
World medical instruments trade: top importers and exporters
Medical instruments product types in Namibia
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