🇬🇧 United Kingdom exports of optical glass: 2024 trade data
Exports of optical glass by the United Kingdom reached $11.6 million in 2024 (59 tonnes). It ranks 9th of 93 countries for exports of this product. That is 7% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 10% a year on average.
Public statistics, latest reported year 2024. Values in US dollars.
Exports of optical glass by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $11.6M | 59 t |
| 2023 | $12.4M | 58 t |
| 2022 | $11.1M | 46 t |
| 2021 | $6.1M | 49 t |
| 2020 | $3.7M | 26 t |
| 2019 | $4.0M | 27 t |
| 2018 | $4.7M | 34 t |
| 2017 | $6.1M | 98 t |
Where the United Kingdom exports optical glass to
Most of it went to Germany (21%), United States (18%), Canada (15%). Among the main buyer markets, India grew fastest (+342% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 🇩🇪 Germany | $2.4M | 21% |
| 🇺🇸 United States | $2.1M | 19% |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | $1.8M | 16% |
| 🇵🇱 Poland | $1.1M | 9.5% |
| 🇮🇪 Ireland | $901K | 7.8% |
| 🇨🇳 China | $553K | 4.8% |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | $360K | 3.1% |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | $358K | 3.1% |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | $351K | 3% |
| 🇮🇳 India | $347K | 3% |
Average export price of optical glass
The average declared value was about $196.15 per kg, 260% above the world average of $54.50. 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 imports optical glass
Imports of optical glass by the United Kingdom reached $10.7 million in 2024 (116 tonnes). Its share of world imports was 2%. Most of the value came from Japan (21%), China (16%), Germany (15%). Among the main suppliers, Japan grew fastest (+399% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 🇯🇵 Japan | $2.2M | 21% |
| 🇨🇳 China | $1.7M | 16% |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | $1.6M | 15% |
| 🇺🇸 United States | $1.5M | 14% |
| 🇫🇷 France | $1.3M | 12% |
| 🇦🇹 Austria | $435K | 4.1% |
| 🇲🇾 Malaysia | $380K | 3.6% |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | $318K | 3% |
| 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | $256K | 2.4% |
| Taiwan | $224K | 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 7014: Signalling glassware and optical elements of glass (other than those of heading no. 7015), not optically worked.
Optical glass trade in the United Kingdom: questions
What is the value of optical glass imported by the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom imported optical glass worth $10.7 million in 2024 (116 tonnes).
Where does the United Kingdom import optical glass from?
The main supplier countries in 2024 were Japan (21%), China (16%), Germany (15%).
What is the average import price of optical glass in the United Kingdom?
The average declared import value was about $92.38 per kg in 2024, against a world average of $54.50 per kg.
Does the United Kingdom export optical glass?
Yes. The United Kingdom exported optical glass worth $11.6 million in 2024, mainly to Germany, United States, Canada.
What is the HS code for optical glass?
Optical glass falls under HS heading 7014 (Signalling glassware and optical elements of glass (other than those of heading no. 7015), not optically worked). The six-digit codes under it split the product by type.
How can I find the companies trading optical glass 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.
Optical glass trade in other countries
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