Expanded polystyrene film and sheet imports in the United Kingdom: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of expanded polystyrene film and sheet by the United Kingdom reached $51.1 million in 2024 (13.8 thousand tonnes). That makes it the 9th largest importer of this product worldwide, out of 214 countries. Value rose 6% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
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 | $51.1M | 13.8K t |
| 2023 | $48.2M | 12.6K t |
| 2022 | $44.9M | 11.6K t |
| 2021 | $38.9M | 9.8K t |
| 2020 | $33.2M | 9.9K t |
| 2019 | $38.0M | 11.2K t |
| 2018 | $38.9M | 11.1K t |
| 2017 | $36.8M | 8.2K t |
Where the United Kingdom imports expanded polystyrene film and sheet from
The largest suppliers were Germany (32%), China (15%), Poland (14%). Among the main suppliers, Sweden grew fastest (+288% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | $16.2M | 32% |
| China | $7.8M | 15% |
| Poland | $7.2M | 14% |
| Belgium | $7.1M | 14% |
| Norway | $2.6M | 5% |
| United States | $1.4M | 2.7% |
| Portugal | $1.4M | 2.7% |
| Sweden | $1.3M | 2.6% |
| Egypt | $1.2M | 2.4% |
| France | $828K | 1.6% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.69 per kg, close to the world average of $3.27.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Expanded polystyrene film and sheet exports from the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom exported $7.8 million of expanded polystyrene film and sheet in 2024 (1.6 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Ireland (31%), Iceland (13%), Nigeria (11%). Among the main buyer markets, Germany grew fastest (+358% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland | $2.4M | 31% |
| Iceland | $998K | 13% |
| Nigeria | $868K | 11% |
| United States | $456K | 5.8% |
| Germany | $392K | 5% |
| New Zealand | $307K | 3.9% |
| Malaysia | $282K | 3.6% |
| France | $216K | 2.8% |
| Peru | $206K | 2.6% |
| Guyana | $206K | 2.6% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Kingdom?
The shipment records behind United Kingdom expanded polystyrene film and sheet imports (HS 3921.11): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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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 3921.11: Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of polymers of styrene, cellular.
Common questions
What is the value of expanded polystyrene film and sheet imported by the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom imported expanded polystyrene film and sheet worth $51.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 13.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 9th of 214 countries worldwide, with 3% of world imports. The value was up 6% on 2023.
Which countries supply expanded polystyrene film and sheet to the United Kingdom?
Germany was the largest supplier with 32% of the value ($16.2 million), followed by China (15%) and Poland (14%). The top three together account for 61%, out of 44 supplier countries in total. Sweden grew fastest among the top ten, up 288% on the year.
What is the average import price of expanded polystyrene film and sheet per kg?
The average declared import value was about $3.69 per kg in 2024, 13% above the world average of $3.27 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of expanded polystyrene film and sheet to the United Kingdom changed since 2017?
Imports went from $36.8 million in 2017 to $51.1 million in 2024, an increase of 39%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $41.3 million a year.
Does the United Kingdom also export expanded polystyrene film and sheet?
Yes. The United Kingdom exported $7.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Ireland, Iceland and Nigeria. On balance the United Kingdom is a net importer of this product, by about $43.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for expanded polystyrene film and sheet?
The HS code for expanded polystyrene film and sheet is subheading 3921.11. It sits in HS chapter 39 (plastics and articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3921 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 expanded polystyrene film and sheet trade: top importers and exporters
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