Synthetic staple fibre imports in Tanzania: data, top suppliers and prices
Tanzania imported $2.8 million of synthetic staple fibre in 2024 (3.0 thousand tonnes). That is 18% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2018, at $5.5 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 | $2.8M | 3.0K t |
| 2023 | $2.4M | 1.8K t |
| 2022 | $3.1M | 1.8K t |
| 2021 | $2.2M | 1.4K t |
| 2020 | $1.4M | 981 t |
| 2019 | $1.3M | 1.0K t |
| 2018 | $5.5M | 3.8K t |
| 2017 | $3.9M | 2.7K t |
Where Tanzania imports synthetic staple fibre from
China alone supplied 54% of it. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+344% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $1.5M | 54% |
| India | $671K | 24% |
| South Korea | $261K | 9.4% |
| South Africa | $144K | 5.2% |
| Turkey | $143K | 5.2% |
| Thailand | $24K | 0.9% |
| Uganda | $16K | 0.6% |
| Indonesia | $13K | 0.5% |
| Hong Kong | $3K | 0.1% |
| United Arab Emirates | $2K | 0.1% |
Product types under HS 5503
| 5503.20 | Polyester staple fiber | 59% |
| 5503.90 | Synthetic staple fiber (other) | 35% |
| 5503.40 | Polypropylene staple fiber | 5.6% |
| 5503.11 | Aramid staple fiber | 0% |
| 5503.19 | Nylon staple fiber | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 5503.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.92 per kg, 39% below the world average of $1.51, 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.
Synthetic staple fibre exports from Tanzania
Tanzania exported $1.4 million of synthetic staple fibre in 2024 (2.4 thousand tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Kenya accounted for 54% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Zambia grew fastest (+110% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya | $773K | 54% |
| Zambia | $599K | 42% |
| Mozambique | $68K | 4.7% |
| Netherlands | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Tanzania?
The shipment records behind Tanzania synthetic staple fibre imports (HS 5503): 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 5503: Synthetic staple fibres, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning.
Common questions
What is the value of synthetic staple fibre imported by Tanzania?
Tanzania imported synthetic staple fibre worth $2.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 3.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 94th of 200 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 18% on 2023.
Which countries supply synthetic staple fibre to Tanzania?
China was the largest supplier with 54% of the value ($1.5 million), followed by India (24%) and South Korea (9%). The top three together account for 88%, out of 12 supplier countries in total. China grew fastest among the top ten, up 344% on the year.
What is the average import price of synthetic staple fibre per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.92 per kg in 2024, 39% below the world average of $1.51 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of synthetic staple fibre to Tanzania changed since 2017?
Imports went from $3.9 million in 2017 to $2.8 million in 2024, a fall of 29%. The peak was 2018 at $5.5 million. Over 8 years the average was $2.8 million a year.
Does Tanzania also export synthetic staple fibre?
Yes. Tanzania exported $1.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Kenya, Zambia and Mozambique. On balance Tanzania is a net importer of this product, by about $1.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for synthetic staple fibre?
The HS code for synthetic staple fibre is heading 5503. In Tanzania the largest six-digit codes were 5503.20 (59% of the value) and 5503.90 (35%).
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
World synthetic staple fibre trade: top importers and exporters
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