Phones and network equipment imports in Namibia: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of phones and network equipment by Namibia reached $125.6 million in 2024 (558 tonnes). That is 17% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 8% a year on average.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
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Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $125.6M | 558 t |
| 2023 | $107.5M | 445 t |
| 2022 | $95.9M | 466 t |
| 2021 | $84.9M | 676 t |
| 2020 | $68.2M | 447 t |
| 2019 | $78.0M | 601 t |
| 2018 | $78.6M | 208 t |
| 2017 | $71.2M | 388 t |
Where Namibia imports phones and network equipment from
The largest suppliers were South Africa (49%), China (40%), Vietnam (2%). Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+31% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $60.9M | 49% |
| China | $49.8M | 40% |
| Vietnam | $2.3M | 1.8% |
| Br. Virgin Isds | $1.5M | 1.2% |
| Taiwan | $1.4M | 1.1% |
| United States | $1.2M | 0.9% |
| Germany | $998K | 0.8% |
| Hungary | $806K | 0.6% |
| Philippines | $762K | 0.6% |
| United Kingdom | $755K | 0.6% |
Product types under HS 8517
| 8517.12 | Mobile phones | 63% |
| 8517.62 | Transmission and switching apparatus | 21% |
| 8517.70 | Telephone and communication parts | 7.7% |
| 8517.69 | Communication apparatus (other) | 4.9% |
| 8517.61 | Base stations | 2.1% |
| 8517.18 | Telephone sets (other) | 0.5% |
| 8517.11 | Cordless telephones | 0.2% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8517.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $225.21 per kg, close to the world average of $239.13.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Phones and network equipment exports from Namibia
Exports of phones and network equipment by Namibia reached $3.6 million in 2024 (47 tonnes). Most of it went to Norway (26%), Botswana (21%), South Africa (8%). Among the main buyer markets, Indonesia grew fastest (+874% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Norway | $934K | 26% |
| Botswana | $765K | 21% |
| South Africa | $271K | 7.6% |
| Netherlands | $268K | 7.5% |
| Czech Republic | $253K | 7.1% |
| Hong Kong | $253K | 7.1% |
| Poland | $147K | 4.1% |
| France | $130K | 3.6% |
| Indonesia | $88K | 2.5% |
| Malawi | $76K | 2.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in Namibia?
The shipment records behind Namibia phones and network equipment imports (HS 8517): 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 8517: Telephone sets, including smartphones and other telephones for cellular/wireless networks; other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data (including wired/wireless networks), excluding items of 8443, 8525, 8527, or 8528.
Common questions
What is the value of phones and network equipment imported by Namibia?
Namibia imported phones and network equipment worth $125.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 558 tonnes. That ranks it 114th of 226 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 17% on 2023.
Which countries supply phones and network equipment to Namibia?
South Africa was the largest supplier with 49% of the value ($60.9 million), followed by China (40%) and Vietnam (2%). The top three together account for 90%, out of 70 supplier countries in total. Vietnam grew fastest among the top ten, up 262% on the year.
What is the average import price of phones and network equipment per kg?
The average declared import value was about $225.21 per kg in 2024, 6% below the world average of $239.13 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of phones and network equipment to Namibia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $71.2 million in 2017 to $125.6 million in 2024, an increase of 76%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $88.7 million a year.
Does Namibia also export phones and network equipment?
Yes. Namibia exported $3.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Norway, Botswana and South Africa. On balance Namibia is a net importer of this product, by about $122.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for phones and network equipment?
The HS code for phones and network equipment is heading 8517. In Namibia the largest six-digit codes were 8517.12 (63% of the value) and 8517.62 (21%).
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 phones and network equipment trade: top importers and exporters
Phones and network equipment product types in Namibia
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