Phones and network equipment imports in Uganda: data, top suppliers and prices
Uganda imported $169.3 million of phones and network equipment in 2024 (3.4 thousand tonnes). That is 3% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 7% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $281.9 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 | $169.3M | 3.4K t |
| 2023 | $174.6M | 2.2K t |
| 2022 | $141.2M | 1.6K t |
| 2021 | $127.1M | 2.5K t |
| 2020 | $128.0M | 2.4K t |
| 2019 | $134.0M | 1.9K t |
| 2018 | $109.8M | 1.8K t |
| 2017 | $281.9M | 1.5K t |
Where Uganda imports phones and network equipment from
China alone supplied 85% of it. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+31% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $144.3M | 85% |
| United Arab Emirates | $3.0M | 1.8% |
| Italy | $2.7M | 1.6% |
| Finland | $2.5M | 1.5% |
| Kenya | $2.3M | 1.4% |
| Vietnam | $1.8M | 1.1% |
| United Kingdom | $1.4M | 0.9% |
| United States | $1.4M | 0.8% |
| Luxembourg | $1.0M | 0.6% |
| South Africa | $1.0M | 0.6% |
Product types under HS 8517
| 8517.62 | Transmission and switching apparatus | 51% |
| 8517.12 | Mobile phones | 28% |
| 8517.70 | Telephone and communication parts | 10% |
| 8517.61 | Base stations | 6.2% |
| 8517.69 | Communication apparatus (other) | 4.6% |
| 8517.18 | Telephone sets (other) | 0.3% |
| 8517.11 | Cordless telephones | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8517.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $49.26 per kg, 79% below the world average of $239.13, 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.
Phones and network equipment exports from Uganda
Exports of phones and network equipment by Uganda reached $4.9 million in 2024 (343 tonnes). Most of it went to Central African Republic (43%), Hong Kong (14%), Hungary (7%). Among the main buyer markets, DR Congo grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Central African Republic | $2.1M | 43% |
| Hong Kong | $674K | 14% |
| Hungary | $364K | 7.4% |
| Switzerland | $354K | 7.2% |
| Tanzania | $351K | 7.1% |
| Netherlands | $210K | 4.3% |
| DR Congo | $152K | 3.1% |
| Malaysia | $140K | 2.8% |
| China | $124K | 2.5% |
| South Sudan | $105K | 2.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in Uganda?
The shipment records behind Uganda phones and network equipment imports (HS 8517): 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 8517: Telephone sets, including smartphones and other telephones for cellular/wireless networks; other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data (including wired/wireless networks), excluding items of 8443, 8525, 8527, or 8528.
Common questions
What is the value of phones and network equipment imported by Uganda?
Uganda imported phones and network equipment worth $169.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 3.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 107th of 226 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 3% on 2023.
Which countries supply phones and network equipment to Uganda?
China was the largest supplier with 85% of the value ($144.3 million), followed by the United Arab Emirates (2%) and Italy (2%). The top three together account for 89%, out of 78 supplier countries in total. Italy grew fastest among the top ten, up 468% on the year.
What is the average import price of phones and network equipment per kg?
The average declared import value was about $49.26 per kg in 2024, 79% below the world average of $239.13 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of phones and network equipment to Uganda changed since 2017?
Imports went from $281.9 million in 2017 to $169.3 million in 2024, a fall of 40%. The peak was 2017 at $281.9 million. Over 8 years the average was $158.2 million a year.
Does Uganda also export phones and network equipment?
Yes. Uganda exported $4.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the Central African Republic, Hong Kong and Hungary. On balance Uganda is a net importer of this product, by about $164.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for phones and network equipment?
The HS code for phones and network equipment is heading 8517. In Uganda the largest six-digit codes were 8517.62 (51% of the value) and 8517.12 (28%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Shipment-level records for Uganda 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 phones and network equipment trade: top importers and exporters
Phones and network equipment product types in Uganda
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