🇬🇧 United Kingdom exports of copper scrap: 2024 trade data
In 2024, the United Kingdom exported copper scrap worth $1.67 billion (259.3 thousand tonnes). That makes it the 5th largest exporter of this product worldwide, out of 198 countries. That is 12% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
Public statistics, latest reported year 2024. Values in US dollars.
Exports of copper scrap by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1.67B | 259.3K t |
| 2023 | $1.48B | 245.9K t |
| 2022 | $1.57B | 262.6K t |
| 2021 | $1.61B | 258.5K t |
| 2020 | $917.7M | 210.8K t |
| 2019 | $1.03B | 326.2K t |
| 2018 | $1.09B | 275.3K t |
| 2017 | $1.04B | 291.1K t |
Where the United Kingdom exports copper scrap to
The largest buyer markets were China (43%), India (10%), Belgium (7%). Among the main buyer markets, South Korea grew fastest (+88% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇳 China | $719.2M | 43% |
| 🇮🇳 India | $165.0M | 9.9% |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium | $120.5M | 7.2% |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | $115.2M | 6.9% |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | $106.5M | 6.4% |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | $65.3M | 3.9% |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | $59.5M | 3.6% |
| 🇫🇷 France | $40.8M | 2.5% |
| 🇬🇷 Greece | $40.4M | 2.4% |
| 🇧🇬 Bulgaria | $33.7M | 2% |
Average export price of copper scrap
The average declared value was about $6.43 per kg, close to the world average of $6.44.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
The United Kingdom also imports copper scrap
Imports of copper scrap by the United Kingdom reached $162.4 million in 2024 (27.5 thousand tonnes). Most of the value came from Ireland (44%), Netherlands (25%), Kenya (11%). Among the main suppliers, Kenya grew fastest (+46% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 🇮🇪 Ireland | $70.7M | 44% |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | $40.5M | 25% |
| 🇰🇪 Kenya | $18.0M | 11% |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | $12.4M | 7.6% |
| 🇺🇸 United States | $3.7M | 2.3% |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium | $3.0M | 1.8% |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | $2.3M | 1.4% |
| 🇫🇷 France | $1.8M | 1.1% |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | $1.3M | 0.8% |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | $1.2M | 0.8% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Kingdom?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
Updated weekly on EximDataX (some markets daily), while public statistics stop at 2024.
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 7404: Copper; waste and scrap.
Copper scrap trade in the United Kingdom: questions
What is the value of copper scrap imported by the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom imported copper scrap worth $162.4 million in 2024 (27.5 thousand tonnes).
Where does the United Kingdom import copper scrap from?
The main supplier countries in 2024 were Ireland (44%), Netherlands (25%), Kenya (11%).
What is the average import price of copper scrap in the United Kingdom?
The average declared import value was about $5.90 per kg in 2024, against a world average of $6.44 per kg.
Does the United Kingdom export copper scrap?
Yes. The United Kingdom exported copper scrap worth $1.67 billion in 2024, mainly to China, India, Belgium.
What is the HS code for copper scrap?
Copper scrap falls under HS heading 7404 (Copper; waste and scrap). The six-digit codes under it split the product by type.
How can I find the companies trading copper scrap with the United Kingdom?
These public statistics stop at country level. EximDataX has a direct customs feed for the United Kingdom with shipment-level records, updated weekly, where you can see the importers and exporters by name.
Copper scrap trade in other countries
More trade data for the United Kingdom
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