Diesel-electric locomotives imports in the United Kingdom: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, the United Kingdom imported diesel-electric locomotives worth $13.7 million (742 tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value fell 19% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 25% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $103.2 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 | $13.7M | 742 t |
| 2023 | $16.9M | 9.6K t |
| 2022 | $1.6M | 16.4K t |
| 2021 | $31.6M | 24.4K t |
| 2020 | $3.9M | 262 t |
| 2019 | $7.7M | 617 t |
| 2018 | $3.9M | 751 t |
| 2017 | $103.2M | 10.0K t |
Where the United Kingdom imports diesel-electric locomotives from
The largest suppliers were Canada (41%), Spain (39%), Germany (20%).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | $5.6M | 41% |
| Spain | $5.3M | 39% |
| Germany | $2.7M | 20% |
| Ireland | $77K | 0.6% |
| South Africa | $59K | 0.4% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $18.45 per kg, close to the world average of $21.09.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Diesel-electric locomotives exports from the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom exported $10.0 million of diesel-electric locomotives in 2024 (464 tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Most of it went to Nigeria (39%), Qatar (36%), Bulgaria (15%). Among the main buyer markets, United States grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | $3.9M | 39% |
| Qatar | $3.6M | 36% |
| Bulgaria | $1.5M | 15% |
| Germany | $520K | 5.2% |
| United States | $305K | 3.1% |
| Australia | $103K | 1% |
| Ireland | $8K | 0.1% |
| Italy | $4K | 0% |
| Netherlands | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Kingdom?
The shipment records behind United Kingdom diesel-electric locomotives imports (HS 8602.10): 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 8602.10: Rail locomotives: diesel-electric powered.
Common questions
What is the value of diesel-electric locomotives imported by the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom imported diesel-electric locomotives worth $13.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 742 tonnes. That ranks it 22nd of 84 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 19% on 2023.
Which countries supply diesel-electric locomotives to the United Kingdom?
Canada was the largest supplier with 41% of the value ($5.6 million), followed by Spain (39%) and Germany (20%). The top three together account for 99%, out of 5 supplier countries in total.
What is the average import price of diesel-electric locomotives per kg?
The average declared import value was about $18.45 per kg in 2024, 13% below the world average of $21.09 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of diesel-electric locomotives to the United Kingdom changed since 2017?
Imports went from $103.2 million in 2017 to $13.7 million in 2024, a fall of 87%. The peak was 2017 at $103.2 million. Over 8 years the average was $22.8 million a year.
Does the United Kingdom also export diesel-electric locomotives?
Yes. The United Kingdom exported $10.0 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Nigeria, Qatar and Bulgaria. On balance the United Kingdom is a net importer of this product, by about $3.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for diesel-electric locomotives?
The HS code for diesel-electric locomotives is subheading 8602.10. It sits in HS chapter 86 (railway, tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and parts thereof; railway or tramway track fixtures and fittings and parts thereof; mechanical (including electro-mechanical) traffic signalling equipment of all kinds). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8602 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; the company-level detail sits in EximDataX, which has a direct customs feed for the United Kingdom. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World diesel-electric locomotives trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for the United Kingdom
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