Toilet paper and tissues imports in Uganda: data, top suppliers and prices
Uganda imported $4.1 million of toilet paper and tissues in 2024 (1.6 thousand tonnes). That is 3% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 46% a year on average.
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 | $4.1M | 1.6K t |
| 2023 | $3.9M | 1.6K t |
| 2022 | $3.5M | 1.6K t |
| 2021 | $2.5M | 1.2K t |
| 2020 | $2.3M | 1.2K t |
| 2019 | $3.0M | 1.5K t |
| 2018 | $2.6M | 1.4K t |
| 2017 | $287K | 109 t |
Where Uganda imports toilet paper and tissues from
One supplier dominates: Kenya accounted for 83% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya | $3.3M | 83% |
| China | $440K | 11% |
| United Arab Emirates | $124K | 3.1% |
| India | $47K | 1.2% |
| Rwanda | $28K | 0.7% |
| United Kingdom | $23K | 0.6% |
| United States | $16K | 0.4% |
| Malaysia | $11K | 0.3% |
| South Africa | $7K | 0.2% |
| Turkey | $5K | 0.1% |
Product types under HS 4818
| 4818.10 | Toilet paper | 39% |
| 4818.20 | Facial tissues and paper towels | 38% |
| 4818.30 | Paper tablecloths and napkins | 16% |
| 4818.90 | Paper and cellulose articles (other) | 4% |
| 4818.50 | Paper clothing and accessories | 3.6% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 4818.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.46 per kg, close to the world average of $2.39.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Toilet paper and tissues exports from Uganda
In 2024, Uganda exported toilet paper and tissues worth $274 thousand (179 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Rwanda (47%), DR Congo (22%), South Sudan (19%). Among the main buyer markets, Kenya grew fastest (+200% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Rwanda | $128K | 47% |
| DR Congo | $61K | 22% |
| South Sudan | $52K | 19% |
| Kenya | $17K | 6.3% |
| United Arab Emirates | $8K | 2.9% |
| Republic of the Congo | $4K | 1.5% |
| Burundi | $2K | 0.6% |
| China | $1K | 0.5% |
| India | $0K | 0.1% |
| Thailand | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Uganda?
The shipment records behind Uganda toilet paper and tissues imports (HS 4818): 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 4818: Toilet paper, width 36cm or less or cut to size/shape; handkerchiefs, tissues, towels, serviettes, bed sheets and similar household or hospital articles, apparel and clothing accessories of paper pulp, paper, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibres.
Common questions
What is the value of toilet paper and tissues imported by Uganda?
Uganda imported toilet paper and tissues worth $4.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 135th of 225 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 3% on 2023.
Which countries supply toilet paper and tissues to Uganda?
Kenya was the largest supplier with 83% of the value ($3.3 million), followed by China (11%) and the United Arab Emirates (3%). The top three together account for 96%, out of 23 supplier countries in total. Rwanda grew fastest among the top ten, up 794% on the year.
What is the average import price of toilet paper and tissues per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.46 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $2.39 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of toilet paper and tissues to Uganda changed since 2017?
Imports went from $287 thousand in 2017 to $4.1 million in 2024. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $2.8 million a year.
Does Uganda also export toilet paper and tissues?
Yes. Uganda exported $274 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Rwanda, the DR Congo and South Sudan. On balance Uganda is a net importer of this product, by about $3.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for toilet paper and tissues?
The HS code for toilet paper and tissues is heading 4818. In Uganda the largest six-digit codes were 4818.10 (39% of the value) and 4818.20 (38%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; the company-level detail sits in EximDataX, which has a direct customs feed for Uganda. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World toilet paper and tissues trade: top importers and exporters
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