Cationic surfactant imports in the United Kingdom: data, top suppliers and prices
The United Kingdom imported $14.8 million of cationic surfactant in 2024 (5.7 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 2%. That is 9% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 9% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2018, at $32.4 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 | $14.8M | 5.7K t |
| 2023 | $13.6M | 3.6K t |
| 2022 | $18.8M | 5.1K t |
| 2021 | $18.2M | 6.4K t |
| 2020 | $24.9M | 8.9K t |
| 2019 | $21.1M | 7.4K t |
| 2018 | $32.4M | 11.5K t |
| 2017 | $28.2M | 8.5K t |
Where the United Kingdom imports cationic surfactant from
Most of the value came from Spain (26%), Germany (24%), France (10%). Among the main suppliers, Brazil grew fastest (+192% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | $3.8M | 26% |
| Germany | $3.5M | 24% |
| France | $1.5M | 10% |
| Brazil | $1.4M | 9.5% |
| United States | $1.2M | 8.3% |
| Sweden | $952K | 6.5% |
| Ireland | $673K | 4.6% |
| South Korea | $350K | 2.4% |
| Netherlands | $226K | 1.5% |
| Italy | $199K | 1.3% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.59 per kg, close to the world average of $2.50.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Cationic surfactant exports from the United Kingdom
Exports of cationic surfactant by the United Kingdom reached $6.9 million in 2024 (3.1 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Most of it went to Belgium (15%), Germany (11%), Ireland (8%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 34%. Among the main buyer markets, United States grew fastest (+249% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | $1.0M | 15% |
| Germany | $763K | 11% |
| Ireland | $577K | 8.4% |
| Japan | $418K | 6.1% |
| United States | $319K | 4.7% |
| Bulgaria | $290K | 4.2% |
| China | $254K | 3.7% |
| France | $232K | 3.4% |
| Colombia | $208K | 3% |
| India | $207K | 3% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Kingdom?
The shipment records behind United Kingdom cationic surfactant imports (HS 3402.12): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
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 3402.12: Organic surface-active agents: cationic (other than soap), whether or not put up for retail sale.
Common questions
What is the value of cationic surfactant imported by the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom imported cationic surfactant worth $14.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 5.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 17th of 183 countries worldwide, with 2% of world imports. The value was up 9% on 2023.
Which countries supply cationic surfactant to the United Kingdom?
Spain was the largest supplier with 26% of the value ($3.8 million), followed by Germany (24%) and France (10%). The top three together account for 60%, out of 30 supplier countries in total. Brazil grew fastest among the top ten, up 192% on the year.
What is the average import price of cationic surfactant per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.59 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $2.50 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of cationic surfactant to the United Kingdom changed since 2017?
Imports went from $28.2 million in 2017 to $14.8 million in 2024, a fall of 48%. The peak was 2018 at $32.4 million. Over 8 years the average was $21.5 million a year.
Does the United Kingdom also export cationic surfactant?
Yes. The United Kingdom exported $6.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Belgium, Germany and Ireland. On balance the United Kingdom is a net importer of this product, by about $7.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for cationic surfactant?
The HS code for cationic surfactant is subheading 3402.12. It sits in HS chapter 34 (soap, organic surface-active agents; washing, lubricating, polishing or scouring preparations; artificial or prepared waxes, candles and similar articles, modelling pastes, dental waxes and dental preparations with a basis of plaster). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3402 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX has a direct customs feed for the United Kingdom, so the importers and exporters behind these totals are visible by name, shipment by shipment. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
World cationic surfactant trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for the United Kingdom
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