Data readers and transcription machines imports in Saudi Arabia: data, top suppliers and prices
Saudi Arabia imported $49.8 million of data readers and transcription machines in 2024 (378 tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value fell 24% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2023, at $65.5 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 | $49.8M | 378 t |
| 2023 | $65.5M | 261 t |
| 2022 | $47.5M | 244 t |
| 2021 | $41.4M | 244 t |
| 2020 | $49.7M | 364 t |
| 2019 | $59.2M | 372 t |
| 2018 | $43.2M | 259 t |
| 2017 | $38.4M | 128 t |
Where Saudi Arabia imports data readers and transcription machines from
Most of the value came from United States (33%), Germany (12%), China (11%). Among the main suppliers, Vietnam grew fastest (+197% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $16.5M | 33% |
| Germany | $5.9M | 12% |
| China | $5.4M | 11% |
| Mexico | $5.2M | 10% |
| Netherlands | $2.9M | 5.8% |
| Turkey | $2.2M | 4.4% |
| Vietnam | $2.2M | 4.4% |
| Taiwan | $1.1M | 2.3% |
| Indonesia | $1.1M | 2.1% |
| United Kingdom | $948K | 1.9% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $131.50 per kg, close to the world average of $152.76.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Data readers and transcription machines exports from Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia exported $1.3 million of data readers and transcription machines in 2024 (48 tonnes). Most of it went to United Arab Emirates (47%), Turkey (12%), Indonesia (5%). Among the main buyer markets, Belgium grew fastest (+714% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | $588K | 47% |
| Turkey | $146K | 12% |
| Indonesia | $61K | 4.9% |
| Bulgaria | $56K | 4.5% |
| Netherlands | $46K | 3.7% |
| United States | $45K | 3.6% |
| France | $39K | 3.1% |
| Belgium | $36K | 2.9% |
| United Kingdom | $32K | 2.6% |
| Tunisia | $28K | 2.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in Saudi Arabia?
The shipment records behind Saudi Arabia data readers and transcription machines imports (HS 8471.90): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
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 8471.90: Magnetic or optical readers, machines for transcribing data onto data media in coded form and machines for processing such data, not elsewhere specified or included.
Common questions
What is the value of data readers and transcription machines imported by Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia imported data readers and transcription machines worth $49.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 378 tonnes. That ranks it 36th of 220 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 24% on 2023.
Which countries supply data readers and transcription machines to Saudi Arabia?
The United States was the largest supplier with 33% of the value ($16.5 million), followed by Germany (12%) and China (11%). The top three together account for 56%, out of 61 supplier countries in total. Vietnam grew fastest among the top ten, up 197% on the year.
What is the average import price of data readers and transcription machines per kg?
The average declared import value was about $131.50 per kg in 2024, 14% below the world average of $152.76 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of data readers and transcription machines to Saudi Arabia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $38.4 million in 2017 to $49.8 million in 2024, an increase of 30%. The peak was 2023 at $65.5 million. Over 8 years the average was $49.3 million a year.
Does Saudi Arabia also export data readers and transcription machines?
Yes. Saudi Arabia exported $1.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Indonesia. On balance Saudi Arabia is a net importer of this product, by about $48.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for data readers and transcription machines?
The HS code for data readers and transcription machines is subheading 8471.90. It sits in HS chapter 84 (machinery and mechanical appliances, boilers, nuclear reactors; parts thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8471 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for Saudi Arabia. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World data readers and transcription machines trade: top importers and exporters
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