🇬🇧 United Kingdom imports of phones and network equipment: 2024 trade data
Imports of phones and network equipment by the United Kingdom reached $16.50 billion in 2024 (54.9 thousand tonnes). It ranks 10th of 226 countries for imports of this product. That is 21% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $21.12 billion.
Public statistics, latest reported year 2024. Values in US dollars.
Imports of phones and network equipment by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $16.50B | 54.9K t |
| 2023 | $21.02B | 59.9K t |
| 2022 | $21.12B | 64.8K t |
| 2021 | $17.49B | 55.8K t |
| 2020 | $18.76B | 67.2K t |
| 2019 | $19.64B | 53.3K t |
| 2018 | $19.90B | 81.1K t |
| 2017 | $18.12B | 84.2K t |
Where the United Kingdom imports phones and network equipment from
Most of the value came from China (39%), Vietnam (16%), India (12%). Among the main suppliers, Thailand grew fastest (+48% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇳 China | $6.41B | 39% |
| 🇻🇳 Vietnam | $2.65B | 16% |
| 🇮🇳 India | $1.94B | 12% |
| Taiwan | $1.02B | 6.2% |
| 🇺🇸 United States | $851.0M | 5.2% |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | $439.2M | 2.7% |
| 🇲🇾 Malaysia | $394.4M | 2.4% |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | $378.2M | 2.3% |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | $354.3M | 2.2% |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | $280.3M | 1.7% |
Types of phones and network equipment under HS 8517
| 8517.62 | Communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of… | 47% |
| 8517.12 | Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks | 45% |
| 8517.70 | Telephone sets and other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data, via a wired or wireless network: parts | 3.4% |
| 8517.69 | Communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data… | 3.3% |
| 8517.18 | Telephone sets n.e.c. in item no. 8517.1 | 0.8% |
| 8517.61 | Base stations | 0.4% |
| 8517.11 | Line telephone sets with cordless handsets | 0.3% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8517.
Average import price of phones and network equipment
The average declared value was about $300.76 per kg, 26% above the world average of $239.13. 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 phones and network equipment
In 2024, the United Kingdom exported phones and network equipment worth $4.69 billion (14.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. The largest buyer markets were Netherlands (16%), United Arab Emirates (14%), Ireland (11%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 41%. Among the main buyer markets, United Arab Emirates grew fastest (+171% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | $742.5M | 16% |
| 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | $666.6M | 14% |
| 🇮🇪 Ireland | $517.2M | 11% |
| 🇺🇸 United States | $449.2M | 9.6% |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | $354.0M | 7.6% |
| 🇫🇷 France | $225.9M | 4.8% |
| 🇭🇰 Hong Kong | $180.6M | 3.9% |
| 🇵🇱 Poland | $130.9M | 2.8% |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | $95.3M | 2% |
| 🇮🇳 India | $85.0M | 1.8% |
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 8517: Telephone sets, including smartphones and other telephones for cellular/wireless networks; other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data (including wired/wireless networks), excluding items of 8443, 8525, 8527, or 8528.
Phones and network equipment trade in the United Kingdom: questions
What is the value of phones and network equipment imported by the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom imported phones and network equipment worth $16.50 billion in 2024 (54.9 thousand tonnes).
Where does the United Kingdom import phones and network equipment from?
The main supplier countries in 2024 were China (39%), Vietnam (16%), India (12%).
What is the average import price of phones and network equipment in the United Kingdom?
The average declared import value was about $300.76 per kg in 2024, against a world average of $239.13 per kg.
Does the United Kingdom export phones and network equipment?
Yes. The United Kingdom exported phones and network equipment worth $4.69 billion in 2024, mainly to Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, Ireland.
What is the HS code for phones and network equipment?
Phones and network equipment falls under HS heading 8517 (Telephone sets, including smartphones and other telephones for cellular/wireless networks; other apparatus for the trans). The six-digit codes under it split the product by type.
How can I find the companies trading phones and network equipment 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.
Phones and network equipment trade in other countries
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