Mixed paper and cardboard waste exports from the United Arab Emirates: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of mixed paper and cardboard waste by the United Arab Emirates reached $11.0 million in 2024 (55.0 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. That is 46% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 23% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2018, at $113.5 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
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Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $11.0M | 55.0K t |
| 2023 | $20.4M | 86.5K t |
| 2022 | $82.7M | 245.9K t |
| 2021 | $62.4M | 223.2K t |
| 2020 | $46.7M | 245.9K t |
| 2019 | $88.4M | 411.1K t |
| 2018 | $113.5M | 500.4K t |
| 2017 | $68.9M | 286.2K t |
Where the United Arab Emirates exports mixed paper and cardboard waste to
One buyer market dominates: India accounted for 66% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Pakistan grew fastest (+97% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $7.3M | 66% |
| Pakistan | $3.2M | 29% |
| Kenya | $336K | 3.1% |
| Turkey | $156K | 1.4% |
| Morocco | $11K | 0.1% |
| Tanzania | $2K | 0% |
| Belgium | $1K | 0% |
| Seychelles | $0K | 0% |
| South Korea | $0K | 0% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.20 per kg, close to the world average of $0.18.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Mixed paper and cardboard waste imports to the United Arab Emirates
In 2024, the United Arab Emirates imported mixed paper and cardboard waste worth $4.8 million (27.2 thousand tonnes). Saudi Arabia alone supplied 92% of it. Among the main suppliers, Saudi Arabia grew fastest (+124% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | $4.4M | 92% |
| United States | $227K | 4.7% |
| United Kingdom | $40K | 0.8% |
| Canada | $40K | 0.8% |
| Romania | $33K | 0.7% |
| Pakistan | $24K | 0.5% |
| South Africa | $9K | 0.2% |
| Mauritius | $9K | 0.2% |
| Tanzania | $8K | 0.2% |
| Ireland | $4K | 0.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Arab Emirates?
The shipment records behind United Arab Emirates mixed paper and cardboard waste exports (HS 4707.90): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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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 4707.90: Paper or paperboard: waste and scrap, of paper or paperboard n.e.c. in heading no. 4707 and of unsorted waste and scrap.
Common questions
What is the value of mixed paper and cardboard waste exported by the United Arab Emirates?
The United Arab Emirates exported mixed paper and cardboard waste worth $11.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 55.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 25th of 147 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was down 46% on 2023.
Which countries buy mixed paper and cardboard waste from the United Arab Emirates?
India was the largest buyer with 66% of the value ($7.3 million), followed by Pakistan (29%) and Kenya (3%). The top three together account for 98%, out of 9 buyer countries in total. Pakistan grew fastest among the top ten, up 97% on the year.
What is the average export price of mixed paper and cardboard waste per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.20 per kg in 2024, 11% above the world average of $0.18 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have exports of mixed paper and cardboard waste from the United Arab Emirates changed since 2017?
Exports went from $68.9 million in 2017 to $11.0 million in 2024, a fall of 84%. The peak was 2018 at $113.5 million. Over 8 years the average was $61.7 million a year.
Does the United Arab Emirates also import mixed paper and cardboard waste?
Yes. The United Arab Emirates imported $4.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Saudi Arabia, the United States and the United Kingdom. On balance the United Arab Emirates is a net exporter of this product, by about $6.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for mixed paper and cardboard waste?
The HS code for mixed paper and cardboard waste is subheading 4707.90. It sits in HS chapter 47 (pulp of wood or other fibrous cellulosic material; recovered (waste and scrap) paper or paperboard). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 4707 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX rebuilds the United Arab Emirates trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
World mixed paper and cardboard waste trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for the United Arab Emirates
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