Medical lubricant and coupling gels imports in the United Kingdom: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of medical lubricant and coupling gels by the United Kingdom reached $19.0 million in 2024 (2.2 thousand tonnes). It ranks 5th of 210 countries for imports of this product. Value rose 18% 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 | $19.0M | 2.2K t |
| 2023 | $16.1M | 1.8K t |
| 2022 | $17.0M | 1.9K t |
| 2021 | $17.5M | 1.8K t |
| 2020 | $17.0M | 1.9K t |
| 2019 | $17.5M | 1.9K t |
| 2018 | $18.1M | 1.7K t |
| 2017 | $16.4M | 1.6K t |
Where the United Kingdom imports medical lubricant and coupling gels from
Most of the value came from China (22%), Germany (20%), Turkey (18%). Among the main suppliers, Ireland grew fastest (+529% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $4.2M | 22% |
| Germany | $3.9M | 21% |
| Turkey | $3.5M | 18% |
| United States | $3.1M | 16% |
| Italy | $1.0M | 5.3% |
| France | $607K | 3.2% |
| Ireland | $473K | 2.5% |
| Austria | $391K | 2.1% |
| Netherlands | $378K | 2% |
| Thailand | $367K | 1.9% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $8.75 per kg, 23% below the world average of $11.31, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Medical lubricant and coupling gels exports from the United Kingdom
In 2024, the United Kingdom exported medical lubricant and coupling gels worth $9.8 million (595 tonnes). Its share of world exports was 2%. Most of it went to United States (28%), Ireland (13%), Australia (5%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 46%. Among the main buyer markets, Australia grew fastest (+134% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $2.7M | 28% |
| Ireland | $1.3M | 13% |
| Australia | $472K | 4.8% |
| United Arab Emirates | $341K | 3.5% |
| Netherlands | $332K | 3.4% |
| Czech Republic | $286K | 2.9% |
| India | $266K | 2.7% |
| Sweden | $224K | 2.3% |
| Uruguay | $187K | 1.9% |
| New Zealand | $170K | 1.7% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Kingdom?
The shipment records behind United Kingdom medical lubricant and coupling gels imports (HS 3006.70): 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 3006.70: Pharmaceutical goods: Gel preparations designed to be used in human or veterinary medicine as a lubricant for parts of the body for surgical operations or physical examinations or as a coupling agent between the body and medical instruments.
Common questions
What is the value of medical lubricant and coupling gels imported by the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom imported medical lubricant and coupling gels worth $19.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 5th of 210 countries worldwide, with 5% of world imports. The value was up 18% on 2023.
Which countries supply medical lubricant and coupling gels to the United Kingdom?
China was the largest supplier with 22% of the value ($4.2 million), followed by Germany (20%) and Turkey (18%). The top three together account for 61%, out of 44 supplier countries in total. Ireland grew fastest among the top ten, up 529% on the year.
What is the average import price of medical lubricant and coupling gels per kg?
The average declared import value was about $8.75 per kg in 2024, 23% below the world average of $11.31 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of medical lubricant and coupling gels to the United Kingdom changed since 2017?
Imports went from $16.4 million in 2017 to $19.0 million in 2024, an increase of 16%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $17.3 million a year.
Does the United Kingdom also export medical lubricant and coupling gels?
Yes. The United Kingdom exported $9.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the United States, Ireland and Australia. On balance the United Kingdom is a net importer of this product, by about $9.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for medical lubricant and coupling gels?
The HS code for medical lubricant and coupling gels is subheading 3006.70. It sits in HS chapter 30 (pharmaceutical products). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3006 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX has a direct customs feed for the United Kingdom, so the importers and exporters behind these totals are visible by name, shipment by shipment. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
World medical lubricant and coupling gels trade: top importers and exporters
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