Optical fiber cable imports in the United Kingdom: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, the United Kingdom imported optical fiber cable worth $457.2 million (20.5 thousand tonnes). It ranks 3rd of 218 countries for imports of this product. Value fell 6% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 14% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2022, at $575.4 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 | $457.2M | 20.5K t |
| 2023 | $487.9M | 56.5K t |
| 2022 | $575.4M | 56.7K t |
| 2021 | $363.7M | 17.5K t |
| 2020 | $288.0M | 11.2K t |
| 2019 | $259.1M | 12.7K t |
| 2018 | $211.8M | 9.9K t |
| 2017 | $183.7M | 11.1K t |
Where the United Kingdom imports optical fiber cable from
Most of the value came from Poland (24%), China (18%), United States (10%). Among the main suppliers, Morocco grew fastest (+183% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Poland | $110.2M | 24% |
| China | $82.6M | 18% |
| United States | $44.6M | 9.8% |
| India | $42.0M | 9.2% |
| Germany | $20.7M | 4.5% |
| Morocco | $19.7M | 4.3% |
| Czech Republic | $17.3M | 3.8% |
| Japan | $12.4M | 2.7% |
| Sweden | $12.4M | 2.7% |
| Mexico | $9.0M | 2% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $22.30 per kg, 69% above the world average of $13.19. 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.
Optical fiber cable exports from the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom exported $188.3 million of optical fiber cable in 2024 (7.2 thousand tonnes). It ranks 9th of 167 countries for exports of this product. Most of it went to United States (26%), Netherlands (10%), Germany (7%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 44%. Among the main buyer markets, India grew fastest (+196% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $49.0M | 26% |
| Netherlands | $19.3M | 10% |
| Germany | $13.8M | 7.3% |
| France | $10.7M | 5.7% |
| Saudi Arabia | $7.4M | 4% |
| Spain | $7.3M | 3.9% |
| Norway | $6.5M | 3.5% |
| Canada | $5.1M | 2.7% |
| Philippines | $5.0M | 2.6% |
| India | $4.1M | 2.2% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Kingdom?
The shipment records behind United Kingdom optical fiber cable imports (HS 8544.70): 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 8544.70: Insulated electric conductors: optical fibre cables.
Common questions
What is the value of optical fiber cable imported by the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom imported optical fiber cable worth $457.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 20.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 3rd of 218 countries worldwide, with 5% of world imports. The value was down 6% on 2023.
Which countries supply optical fiber cable to the United Kingdom?
Poland was the largest supplier with 24% of the value ($110.2 million), followed by China (18%) and the United States (10%). The top three together account for 52%, out of 77 supplier countries in total. Morocco grew fastest among the top ten, up 183% on the year.
What is the average import price of optical fiber cable per kg?
The average declared import value was about $22.30 per kg in 2024, 69% above the world average of $13.19 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of optical fiber cable to the United Kingdom changed since 2017?
Imports went from $183.7 million in 2017 to $457.2 million in 2024, an increase of 149%. The peak was 2022 at $575.4 million. Over 8 years the average was $353.4 million a year.
Does the United Kingdom also export optical fiber cable?
Yes. The United Kingdom exported $188.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the United States, the Netherlands and Germany. On balance the United Kingdom is a net importer of this product, by about $268.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for optical fiber cable?
The HS code for optical fiber cable is subheading 8544.70. It sits in HS chapter 85 (electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers, parts and accessories of such articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8544 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.
Same product, other countries
World optical fiber cable trade: top importers and exporters
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