Lithium carbonate imports in the United Kingdom: data, top suppliers and prices
The United Kingdom imported $38.1 million of lithium carbonate in 2024 (2.9 thousand tonnes). It ranks 8th of 114 countries for imports of this product. Value fell 69% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 11% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2022, at $141.3 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 | $38.1M | 2.9K t |
| 2023 | $123.7M | 3.0K t |
| 2022 | $141.3M | 3.1K t |
| 2021 | $20.2M | 2.5K t |
| 2020 | $9.7M | 1.5K t |
| 2019 | $12.1M | 1.1K t |
| 2018 | $25.6M | 1.7K t |
| 2017 | $18.8M | 1.9K t |
Where the United Kingdom imports lithium carbonate from
One supplier dominates: Chile accounted for 81% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Chile | $31.0M | 81% |
| Netherlands | $3.6M | 9.6% |
| Argentina | $1.9M | 4.9% |
| Germany | $649K | 1.7% |
| France | $520K | 1.4% |
| Belgium | $190K | 0.5% |
| United States | $116K | 0.3% |
| Czech Republic | $95K | 0.3% |
| Ireland | $12K | 0% |
| China | $11K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $12.98 per kg, close to the world average of $11.55.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Lithium carbonate exports from the United Kingdom
Exports of lithium carbonate by the United Kingdom reached $24.9 million in 2024 (2.0 thousand tonnes). It ranks 6th of 58 countries for exports of this product. China alone took 56% of it.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $14.0M | 56% |
| Netherlands | $3.4M | 14% |
| Germany | $2.7M | 11% |
| United States | $1.0M | 4.1% |
| Spain | $423K | 1.7% |
| Sweden | $386K | 1.6% |
| Denmark | $381K | 1.5% |
| Czech Republic | $369K | 1.5% |
| Slovenia | $331K | 1.3% |
| Austria | $301K | 1.2% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Kingdom?
The shipment records behind United Kingdom lithium carbonate imports (HS 2836.91): 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 2836.91: Carbonates: lithium carbonate.
Common questions
What is the value of lithium carbonate imported by the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom imported lithium carbonate worth $38.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.9 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 8th of 114 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 69% on 2023.
Which countries supply lithium carbonate to the United Kingdom?
Chile was the largest supplier with 81% of the value ($31.0 million), followed by the Netherlands (10%) and Argentina (5%). The top three together account for 96%, out of 12 supplier countries in total. Ireland grew fastest among the top ten, up 190% on the year.
What is the average import price of lithium carbonate per kg?
The average declared import value was about $12.98 per kg in 2024, 12% above the world average of $11.55 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of lithium carbonate to the United Kingdom changed since 2017?
Imports went from $18.8 million in 2017 to $38.1 million in 2024, an increase of 103%. The peak was 2022 at $141.3 million. Over 8 years the average was $48.7 million a year.
Does the United Kingdom also export lithium carbonate?
Yes. The United Kingdom exported $24.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to China, the Netherlands and Germany. On balance the United Kingdom is a net importer of this product, by about $13.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for lithium carbonate?
The HS code for lithium carbonate is subheading 2836.91. It sits in HS chapter 28 (inorganic chemicals; organic and inorganic compounds of precious metals; of rare earth metals, of radio-active elements and of isotopes). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2836 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Shipment-level records for the United Kingdom reach EximDataX from a direct customs feed, with company names, dates and declared values. We can show them for your product on a short call.
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