Printed matter imports in Tanzania: data, top suppliers and prices
Tanzania imported $2.5 million of printed matter in 2024 (1.2 thousand tonnes). That is 16% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 6% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2020, at $5.9 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 | $2.5M | 1.2K t |
| 2023 | $2.2M | 659 t |
| 2022 | $3.0M | 677 t |
| 2021 | $2.5M | 716 t |
| 2020 | $5.9M | 1.1K t |
| 2019 | $3.6M | 985 t |
| 2018 | $5.4M | 915 t |
| 2017 | $4.0M | 848 t |
Where Tanzania imports printed matter from
The largest suppliers were China (43%), Kenya (30%), South Africa (13%). Among the main suppliers, India grew fastest (+74% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $1.1M | 43% |
| Kenya | $761K | 30% |
| South Africa | $330K | 13% |
| India | $134K | 5.3% |
| United States | $35K | 1.4% |
| United Kingdom | $24K | 1% |
| Germany | $24K | 0.9% |
| United Arab Emirates | $20K | 0.8% |
| Turkey | $20K | 0.8% |
| Netherlands | $12K | 0.5% |
Product types under HS 4911
| 4911.99 | Printed matter (other types) | 57% |
| 4911.10 | Trade catalogues and advertising materials | 38% |
| 4911.91 | Printed pictures and photographs | 5.4% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 4911.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.13 per kg, 71% below the world average of $7.38, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Printed matter exports from Tanzania
Tanzania exported $1.3 million of printed matter in 2024 (202 tonnes). Malawi alone took 58% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Comoros grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Malawi | $786K | 58% |
| Kenya | $486K | 36% |
| Comoros | $43K | 3.2% |
| Qatar | $6K | 0.4% |
| Zambia | $4K | 0.3% |
| Bolivia | $4K | 0.3% |
| Belgium | $2K | 0.2% |
| France | $2K | 0.1% |
| Singapore | $1K | 0.1% |
| United States | $1K | 0.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in Tanzania?
The shipment records behind Tanzania printed matter imports (HS 4911): 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 4911: Printed matter, n.e.c., including printed pictures and photographs.
Common questions
What is the value of printed matter imported by Tanzania?
Tanzania imported printed matter worth $2.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 136th of 224 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 16% on 2023.
Which countries supply printed matter to Tanzania?
China was the largest supplier with 43% of the value ($1.1 million), followed by Kenya (30%) and South Africa (13%). The top three together account for 86%, out of 72 supplier countries in total. The United States grew fastest among the top ten, up 118% on the year.
What is the average import price of printed matter per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.13 per kg in 2024, 71% below the world average of $7.38 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of printed matter to Tanzania changed since 2017?
Imports went from $4.0 million in 2017 to $2.5 million in 2024, a fall of 36%. The peak was 2020 at $5.9 million. Over 8 years the average was $3.6 million a year.
Does Tanzania also export printed matter?
Yes. Tanzania exported $1.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Malawi, Kenya and the Comoros. On balance Tanzania is a net importer of this product, by about $1.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for printed matter?
The HS code for printed matter is heading 4911. In Tanzania the largest six-digit codes were 4911.99 (57% of the value) and 4911.10 (38%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Shipment-level records for Tanzania 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
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.