Black printing ink imports in the United Arab Emirates: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of black printing ink by the United Arab Emirates reached $10.7 million in 2024 (1.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 20% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 8% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $19.3 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 | $10.7M | 1.3K t |
| 2023 | $13.5M | 1.5K t |
| 2022 | $13.7M | 1.3K t |
| 2021 | $12.3M | 1.0K t |
| 2020 | $10.5M | 1.1K t |
| 2019 | $12.2M | 1.4K t |
| 2018 | $15.5M | 1.5K t |
| 2017 | $19.3M | 1.4K t |
Where the United Arab Emirates imports black printing ink from
The largest suppliers were India (24%), Japan (12%), Italy (6%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 43%. Among the main suppliers, Germany grew fastest (+101% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $2.6M | 24% |
| Japan | $1.3M | 12% |
| Italy | $688K | 6.4% |
| Germany | $664K | 6.2% |
| China | $648K | 6% |
| United Kingdom | $615K | 5.7% |
| South Korea | $562K | 5.2% |
| Netherlands | $530K | 4.9% |
| Belgium | $445K | 4.1% |
| Brazil | $417K | 3.9% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $8.38 per kg, close to the world average of $8.74.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Black printing ink exports from the United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates exported $1.4 million of black printing ink in 2024 (124 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Seychelles accounted for 51% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Kuwait grew fastest (+120% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Seychelles | $695K | 51% |
| Kuwait | $151K | 11% |
| Mozambique | $126K | 9.2% |
| Brazil | $77K | 5.6% |
| Saudi Arabia | $74K | 5.4% |
| Kenya | $53K | 3.9% |
| Qatar | $24K | 1.8% |
| Angola | $21K | 1.6% |
| Netherlands | $20K | 1.5% |
| Sri Lanka | $16K | 1.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Arab Emirates?
The shipment records behind United Arab Emirates black printing ink imports (HS 3215.11): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
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 3215.11: Ink: for printing, black, whether or not concentrated or solid.
Common questions
What is the value of black printing ink imported by the United Arab Emirates?
The United Arab Emirates imported black printing ink worth $10.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 35th of 215 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 20% on 2023.
Which countries supply black printing ink to the United Arab Emirates?
India was the largest supplier with 24% of the value ($2.6 million), followed by Japan (12%) and Italy (6%). The top three together account for 43%, out of 43 supplier countries in total. Germany grew fastest among the top ten, up 101% on the year.
What is the average import price of black printing ink per kg?
The average declared import value was about $8.38 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $8.74 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of black printing ink to the United Arab Emirates changed since 2017?
Imports went from $19.3 million in 2017 to $10.7 million in 2024, a fall of 44%. The peak was 2017 at $19.3 million. Over 8 years the average was $13.5 million a year.
Does the United Arab Emirates also export black printing ink?
Yes. The United Arab Emirates exported $1.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the Seychelles, Kuwait and Mozambique. On balance the United Arab Emirates is a net importer of this product, by about $9.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for black printing ink?
The HS code for black printing ink is subheading 3215.11. It sits in HS chapter 32 (tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their derivatives; dyes, pigments and other colouring matter; paints, varnishes; putty, other mastics; inks). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3215 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for the United Arab Emirates. Tell us your product to see it live.
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