Smart cards imports in Tanzania: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of smart cards by Tanzania reached $12.4 million in 2024 (187 tonnes). Value fell 70% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 11% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2023, at $42.0 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 | $12.4M | 187 t |
| 2023 | $42.0M | 265 t |
| 2022 | $15.7M | 108 t |
| 2021 | $8.4M | 108 t |
| 2020 | $10.0M | 126 t |
| 2019 | $9.4M | 97 t |
| 2018 | $7.3M | 82 t |
| 2017 | $5.9M | 56 t |
Where Tanzania imports smart cards from
Most of the value came from China (31%), Egypt (15%), India (13%).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $3.8M | 31% |
| Egypt | $1.9M | 15% |
| India | $1.6M | 13% |
| Mexico | $1.4M | 11% |
| Malaysia | $1.1M | 8.9% |
| France | $924K | 7.4% |
| South Africa | $472K | 3.8% |
| United Arab Emirates | $368K | 3% |
| Switzerland | $279K | 2.2% |
| United States | $162K | 1.3% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $66.61 per kg, 41% below the world average of $112.76, 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.
Smart cards exports from Tanzania
Tanzania exported $430 thousand of smart cards in 2024 (2 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were South Africa (44%), Kenya (31%), Zambia (12%).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $188K | 44% |
| Kenya | $135K | 31% |
| Zambia | $50K | 12% |
| Zimbabwe | $50K | 12% |
| United Kingdom | $6K | 1.5% |
| Germany | $0K | 0% |
| China | $0K | 0% |
| France | $0K | 0% |
| Ireland | $0K | 0% |
| Thailand | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Tanzania?
The shipment records behind Tanzania smart cards imports (HS 8523.52): 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 8523.52: Semiconductor media: smart cards, whether or not recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37.
Common questions
What is the value of smart cards imported by Tanzania?
Tanzania imported smart cards worth $12.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 187 tonnes. That ranks it 79th of 215 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 70% on 2023.
Which countries supply smart cards to Tanzania?
China was the largest supplier with 31% of the value ($3.8 million), followed by Egypt (15%) and India (13%). The top three together account for 59%, out of 43 supplier countries in total.
What is the average import price of smart cards per kg?
The average declared import value was about $66.61 per kg in 2024, 41% below the world average of $112.76 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of smart cards to Tanzania changed since 2017?
Imports went from $5.9 million in 2017 to $12.4 million in 2024, an increase of 113%. The peak was 2023 at $42.0 million. Over 8 years the average was $13.9 million a year.
Does Tanzania also export smart cards?
Yes. Tanzania exported $430 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to South Africa, Kenya and Zambia. On balance Tanzania is a net importer of this product, by about $12.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for smart cards?
The HS code for smart cards is subheading 8523.52. It sits in HS chapter 85 (electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers, parts and accessories of such articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8523 page.
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
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