Plastic-coated paper imports in the United Arab Emirates: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of plastic-coated paper by the United Arab Emirates reached $44.8 million in 2024 (27.6 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 16% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 15% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2022, at $63.7 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 | $44.8M | 27.6K t |
| 2023 | $53.3M | 20.9K t |
| 2022 | $63.7M | 24.7K t |
| 2021 | $46.0M | 17.6K t |
| 2020 | $32.6M | 14.3K t |
| 2019 | $53.3M | 19.8K t |
| 2018 | $51.4M | 19.2K t |
| 2017 | $16.5M | 11.1K t |
Where the United Arab Emirates imports plastic-coated paper from
Most of the value came from China (47%), Germany (10%), India (8%). Among the main suppliers, Denmark grew fastest (+269% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $20.9M | 47% |
| Germany | $4.4M | 9.8% |
| India | $3.7M | 8.3% |
| Saudi Arabia | $3.7M | 8.2% |
| Indonesia | $2.8M | 6.3% |
| Denmark | $1.8M | 4% |
| United States | $1.7M | 3.8% |
| Malaysia | $1.2M | 2.7% |
| South Korea | $761K | 1.7% |
| Switzerland | $703K | 1.6% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.62 per kg, 42% below the world average of $2.78, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Plastic-coated paper exports from the United Arab Emirates
In 2024, the United Arab Emirates exported plastic-coated paper worth $9.1 million (3.1 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Zimbabwe (24%), India (22%), Saudi Arabia (17%). Among the main buyer markets, India grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $2.2M | 24% |
| India | $2.0M | 22% |
| Saudi Arabia | $1.5M | 17% |
| Sri Lanka | $1.1M | 13% |
| Morocco | $826K | 9.1% |
| Egypt | $601K | 6.6% |
| Kazakhstan | $310K | 3.4% |
| Nigeria | $131K | 1.5% |
| Canada | $124K | 1.4% |
| Israel | $61K | 0.7% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Arab Emirates?
The shipment records behind United Arab Emirates plastic-coated paper imports (HS 4811.59): 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 4811.59: Paper and paperboard: coated, impregnated or covered with plastics (excluding adhesives), other than bleached and weighing more than 150g/m2, other than goods of heading no. 4803, 4809, or 4810.
Common questions
What is the value of plastic-coated paper imported by the United Arab Emirates?
The United Arab Emirates imported plastic-coated paper worth $44.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 27.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 46th of 203 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 16% on 2023.
Which countries supply plastic-coated paper to the United Arab Emirates?
China was the largest supplier with 47% of the value ($20.9 million), followed by Germany (10%) and India (8%). The top three together account for 65%, out of 35 supplier countries in total. Denmark grew fastest among the top ten, up 269% on the year.
What is the average import price of plastic-coated paper per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.62 per kg in 2024, 42% below the world average of $2.78 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of plastic-coated paper to the United Arab Emirates changed since 2017?
Imports went from $16.5 million in 2017 to $44.8 million in 2024, an increase of 172%. The peak was 2022 at $63.7 million. Over 8 years the average was $45.2 million a year.
Does the United Arab Emirates also export plastic-coated paper?
Yes. The United Arab Emirates exported $9.1 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zimbabwe, India and Saudi Arabia. On balance the United Arab Emirates is a net importer of this product, by about $35.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for plastic-coated paper?
The HS code for plastic-coated paper is subheading 4811.59. It sits in HS chapter 48 (paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or paperboard). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 4811 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 plastic-coated paper trade: top importers and exporters
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