Lithographic printing plates imports in the United Arab Emirates: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, the United Arab Emirates imported lithographic printing plates worth $5.0 million (432 tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 12% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
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 | $5.0M | 432 t |
| 2023 | $4.5M | 688 t |
| 2022 | $4.8M | 507 t |
| 2021 | $4.6M | 562 t |
| 2020 | $4.2M | 751 t |
| 2019 | $5.0M | 979 t |
| 2018 | $4.9M | 688 t |
| 2017 | $5.2M | 597 t |
Where the United Arab Emirates imports lithographic printing plates from
Most of the value came from India (32%), China (27%), United Kingdom (8%). Among the main suppliers, Japan grew fastest (+330% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $1.6M | 32% |
| China | $1.3M | 27% |
| United Kingdom | $380K | 7.6% |
| Italy | $356K | 7.1% |
| Poland | $275K | 5.5% |
| Switzerland | $253K | 5% |
| Germany | $187K | 3.7% |
| Turkey | $134K | 2.7% |
| Japan | $113K | 2.2% |
| United States | $85K | 1.7% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $11.62 per kg, close to the world average of $12.57.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Lithographic printing plates exports from the United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates exported $3.2 million of lithographic printing plates in 2024 (286 tonnes). Most of it went to Tunisia (19%), Saudi Arabia (17%), South Africa (14%). Among the main buyer markets, United States grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Tunisia | $619K | 19% |
| Saudi Arabia | $549K | 17% |
| South Africa | $466K | 15% |
| Morocco | $358K | 11% |
| Tanzania | $273K | 8.5% |
| Egypt | $169K | 5.3% |
| Fiji | $151K | 4.7% |
| Sri Lanka | $93K | 2.9% |
| Spain | $78K | 2.4% |
| United States | $71K | 2.2% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Arab Emirates?
The shipment records behind United Arab Emirates lithographic printing plates imports (HS 8442.50): 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 8442.50: Plates, cylinders and other printing components: lithographic stones prepared for printing purposes (for example, planed, grained or polished).
Common questions
What is the value of lithographic printing plates imported by the United Arab Emirates?
The United Arab Emirates imported lithographic printing plates worth $5.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 432 tonnes. That ranks it 31st of 193 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 12% on 2023.
Which countries supply lithographic printing plates to the United Arab Emirates?
India was the largest supplier with 32% of the value ($1.6 million), followed by China (27%) and the United Kingdom (8%). The top three together account for 66%, out of 34 supplier countries in total. Japan grew fastest among the top ten, up 330% on the year.
What is the average import price of lithographic printing plates per kg?
The average declared import value was about $11.62 per kg in 2024, 8% below the world average of $12.57 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of lithographic printing plates to the United Arab Emirates changed since 2017?
Imports went from $5.2 million in 2017 to $5.0 million in 2024, a fall of 4%. The peak was 2017 at $5.2 million. Over 8 years the average was $4.8 million a year.
Does the United Arab Emirates also export lithographic printing plates?
Yes. The United Arab Emirates exported $3.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Tunisia, Saudi Arabia and South Africa. On balance the United Arab Emirates is a net importer of this product, by about $1.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for lithographic printing plates?
The HS code for lithographic printing plates is subheading 8442.50. It sits in HS chapter 84 (machinery and mechanical appliances, boilers, nuclear reactors; parts thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8442 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For the United Arab Emirates, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World lithographic printing plates trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for the United Arab Emirates
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