🇬🇧 United Kingdom imports of glass beads: 2024 trade data
The United Kingdom imported $51.7 million of glass beads in 2024 (11.7 thousand tonnes). It ranks 6th of 207 countries for imports of this product. That is 23% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
Public statistics, latest reported year 2024. Values in US dollars.
Imports of glass beads by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $51.7M | 11.7K t |
| 2023 | $42.1M | 7.5K t |
| 2022 | $41.1M | 5.4K t |
| 2021 | $40.9M | 5.9K t |
| 2020 | $29.4M | 6.2K t |
| 2019 | $34.6M | 7.1K t |
| 2018 | $25.8M | 5.5K t |
| 2017 | $42.3M | 6.8K t |
Where the United Kingdom imports glass beads from
Most of the value came from China (40%), United States (24%), France (19%). Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+184% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇳 China | $20.6M | 40% |
| 🇺🇸 United States | $12.2M | 24% |
| 🇫🇷 France | $9.6M | 19% |
| 🇦🇹 Austria | $2.2M | 4.2% |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | $1.1M | 2.1% |
| 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | $1.0M | 2% |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | $1.0M | 2% |
| 🇮🇳 India | $958K | 1.9% |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | $863K | 1.7% |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | $537K | 1% |
Types of glass beads under HS 7018
| 7018.20 | Glass microspheres: not exceeding 1mm in diameter | 49% |
| 7018.90 | Glass: articles thereof, statuettes and other ornaments of lamp worked glass, other than imitation jewellery | 36% |
| 7018.10 | Glass: beads, imitation pearls, imitation precious or semi-precious stones and similar glass smallwares | 14% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 7018.
Average import price of glass beads
The average declared value was about $4.41 per kg, 74% above the world average of $2.53. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
The United Kingdom also exports glass beads
In 2024, the United Kingdom exported glass beads worth $14.1 million (14.3 thousand tonnes). It ranks 10th of 162 countries for exports of this product. The largest buyer markets were Denmark (19%), United States (12%), Sweden (12%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 44%. Among the main buyer markets, Hong Kong grew fastest (+573% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 🇩🇰 Denmark | $2.7M | 19% |
| 🇺🇸 United States | $1.8M | 13% |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | $1.7M | 12% |
| 🇮🇪 Ireland | $1.5M | 11% |
| 🇳🇴 Norway | $1.1M | 8% |
| 🇮🇳 India | $922K | 6.6% |
| 🇭🇰 Hong Kong | $482K | 3.4% |
| 🇫🇷 France | $364K | 2.6% |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | $327K | 2.3% |
| 🇦🇹 Austria | $299K | 2.1% |
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 7018: Glass beads, imitation pearls, precious or semi-precious stones and similar glass smallwares, statuettes and other ornaments of worked glass; glass microspheres not exceeding 1mm in diameter.
Glass beads trade in the United Kingdom: questions
What is the value of glass beads imported by the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom imported glass beads worth $51.7 million in 2024 (11.7 thousand tonnes).
Where does the United Kingdom import glass beads from?
The main supplier countries in 2024 were China (40%), United States (24%), France (19%).
What is the average import price of glass beads in the United Kingdom?
The average declared import value was about $4.41 per kg in 2024, against a world average of $2.53 per kg.
Does the United Kingdom export glass beads?
Yes. The United Kingdom exported glass beads worth $14.1 million in 2024, mainly to Denmark, United States, Sweden.
What is the HS code for glass beads?
Glass beads falls under HS heading 7018 (Glass beads, imitation pearls, precious or semi-precious stones and similar glass smallwares, statuettes and other ornam). The six-digit codes under it split the product by type.
How can I find the companies trading glass beads 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.
Glass beads trade in other countries
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