Polyethylene imports in Tanzania: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of polyethylene by Tanzania reached $210.8 million in 2024 (176.7 thousand tonnes). That is 26% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 11% 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 | $210.8M | 176.7K t |
| 2023 | $167.8M | 135.8K t |
| 2022 | $202.1M | 137.1K t |
| 2021 | $156.1M | 106.8K t |
| 2020 | $109.0M | 102.0K t |
| 2019 | $118.6M | 101.8K t |
| 2018 | $122.1M | 89.9K t |
| 2017 | $104.5M | 83.0K t |
Where Tanzania imports polyethylene from
Most of the value came from United Arab Emirates (27%), China (24%), Saudi Arabia (16%). Among the main suppliers, Oman grew fastest (+542% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | $56.4M | 27% |
| China | $50.4M | 24% |
| Saudi Arabia | $33.0M | 16% |
| United States | $15.4M | 7.3% |
| Singapore | $12.4M | 5.9% |
| Qatar | $10.7M | 5.1% |
| India | $9.7M | 4.6% |
| South Korea | $6.3M | 3% |
| Oman | $4.7M | 2.2% |
| Kuwait | $2.1M | 1% |
Product types under HS 3901
| 3901.20 | High-density polyethylene | 51% |
| 3901.10 | Low-density polyethylene | 28% |
| 3901.30 | Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer | 11% |
| 3901.40 | Ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymer | 5.6% |
| 3901.90 | Ethylene polymers (other) | 4.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3901.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.19 per kg, close to the world average of $1.22.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Polyethylene exports from Tanzania
Tanzania exported $946 thousand of polyethylene in 2024 (1.2 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Kenya (35%), Uganda (17%), Burundi (11%). Among the main buyer markets, Zambia grew fastest (+426% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya | $327K | 35% |
| Uganda | $162K | 17% |
| Burundi | $102K | 11% |
| Rwanda | $101K | 11% |
| Zambia | $77K | 8.1% |
| DR Congo | $75K | 7.9% |
| China | $62K | 6.5% |
| Mozambique | $30K | 3.2% |
| Comoros | $12K | 1.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in Tanzania?
The shipment records behind Tanzania polyethylene imports (HS 3901): 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 3901: Polymers of ethylene, in primary forms.
Common questions
What is the value of polyethylene imported by Tanzania?
Tanzania imported polyethylene worth $210.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 176.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 62nd of 213 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 26% on 2023.
Which countries supply polyethylene to Tanzania?
The United Arab Emirates was the largest supplier with 27% of the value ($56.4 million), followed by China (24%) and Saudi Arabia (16%). The top three together account for 66%, out of 42 supplier countries in total. Oman grew fastest among the top ten, up 542% on the year.
What is the average import price of polyethylene per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.19 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $1.22 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of polyethylene to Tanzania changed since 2017?
Imports went from $104.5 million in 2017 to $210.8 million in 2024, an increase of 102%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $148.9 million a year.
Does Tanzania also export polyethylene?
Yes. Tanzania exported $946 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Kenya, Uganda and Burundi. On balance Tanzania is a net importer of this product, by about $209.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for polyethylene?
The HS code for polyethylene is heading 3901. In Tanzania the largest six-digit codes were 3901.20 (51% of the value) and 3901.10 (28%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX has a direct customs feed for Tanzania, so the importers and exporters behind these totals are visible by name, shipment by shipment. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
Polyethylene product types in Tanzania
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