Contact lenses imports in the United Arab Emirates: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, the United Arab Emirates imported contact lenses worth $31.3 million (232 tonnes). That is 37% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2023, at $49.9 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 | $31.3M | 232 t |
| 2023 | $49.9M | 424 t |
| 2022 | $40.6M | 374 t |
| 2021 | $39.1M | 328 t |
| 2020 | $26.1M | 232 t |
| 2019 | $34.8M | 259 t |
| 2018 | $33.4M | 236 t |
| 2017 | $32.3M | 204 t |
Where the United Arab Emirates imports contact lenses from
The largest suppliers were Ireland (37%), South Korea (15%), Germany (13%). Among the main suppliers, Netherlands grew fastest (+638% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland | $11.5M | 37% |
| South Korea | $4.6M | 15% |
| Germany | $4.0M | 13% |
| United States | $3.2M | 10% |
| Brazil | $2.4M | 7.6% |
| United Kingdom | $2.1M | 6.8% |
| Netherlands | $1.5M | 4.8% |
| Hong Kong | $431K | 1.4% |
| China | $297K | 1% |
| Thailand | $240K | 0.8% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $135.21 per kg, close to the world average of $141.38.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Contact lenses exports from the United Arab Emirates
In 2024, the United Arab Emirates exported contact lenses worth $466 thousand (1 tonnes). Kuwait alone took 64% of it. Among the main buyer markets, United Kingdom grew fastest (+138% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Kuwait | $296K | 64% |
| United Kingdom | $95K | 20% |
| Morocco | $37K | 7.9% |
| Qatar | $10K | 2.2% |
| Pakistan | $8K | 1.8% |
| Cyprus | $6K | 1.3% |
| South Korea | $3K | 0.7% |
| Czech Republic | $3K | 0.5% |
| Portugal | $2K | 0.4% |
| Maldives | $1K | 0.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Arab Emirates?
The shipment records behind United Arab Emirates contact lenses imports (HS 9001.30): 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 9001.30: Lenses, contact: unmounted, of any material, excluding elements of glass not optically worked.
Common questions
What is the value of contact lenses imported by the United Arab Emirates?
The United Arab Emirates imported contact lenses worth $31.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 232 tonnes. That ranks it 31st of 194 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 37% on 2023.
Which countries supply contact lenses to the United Arab Emirates?
Ireland was the largest supplier with 37% of the value ($11.5 million), followed by South Korea (15%) and Germany (13%). The top three together account for 64%, out of 31 supplier countries in total. The Netherlands grew fastest among the top ten, up 638% on the year.
What is the average import price of contact lenses per kg?
The average declared import value was about $135.21 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $141.38 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of contact lenses to the United Arab Emirates changed since 2017?
Imports went from $32.3 million in 2017 to $31.3 million in 2024, a fall of 3%. The peak was 2023 at $49.9 million. Over 8 years the average was $35.9 million a year.
Does the United Arab Emirates also export contact lenses?
Yes. The United Arab Emirates exported $466 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Kuwait, the United Kingdom and Morocco. On balance the United Arab Emirates is a net importer of this product, by about $30.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for contact lenses?
The HS code for contact lenses is subheading 9001.30. It sits in HS chapter 90 (optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 9001 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.
Same product, other countries
More trade data for the United Arab Emirates
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