Plastic apparel and clothing imports in the United Kingdom: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, the United Kingdom imported plastic apparel and clothing worth $91.9 million (21.4 thousand tonnes). It ranks 7th of 224 countries for imports of this product. Value fell 14% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 9% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2020, at $1.45 billion.
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 | $91.9M | 21.4K t |
| 2023 | $107.2M | 21.8K t |
| 2022 | $128.9M | 22.5K t |
| 2021 | $218.2M | 29.1K t |
| 2020 | $1.45B | 132.8K t |
| 2019 | $190.5M | 37.1K t |
| 2018 | $194.6M | 36.7K t |
| 2017 | $175.7M | 35.5K t |
Where the United Kingdom imports plastic apparel and clothing from
China alone supplied 77% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $70.5M | 77% |
| Vietnam | $4.4M | 4.8% |
| Malaysia | $1.6M | 1.8% |
| Germany | $1.3M | 1.4% |
| France | $1.3M | 1.4% |
| Pakistan | $1.1M | 1.2% |
| Bangladesh | $1.1M | 1.2% |
| Ireland | $1.0M | 1.1% |
| United States | $956K | 1% |
| India | $875K | 1% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.30 per kg, 32% below the world average of $6.35, 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.
Plastic apparel and clothing exports from the United Kingdom
In 2024, the United Kingdom exported plastic apparel and clothing worth $17.9 million (3.1 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to France (15%), Ireland (14%), Netherlands (14%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 43%. Among the main buyer markets, Morocco grew fastest (+495% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| France | $2.7M | 15% |
| Ireland | $2.5M | 14% |
| Netherlands | $2.5M | 14% |
| United States | $1.3M | 7.5% |
| Germany | $1.2M | 6.8% |
| Sweden | $854K | 4.8% |
| Belgium | $816K | 4.6% |
| Morocco | $540K | 3% |
| India | $481K | 2.7% |
| China | $451K | 2.5% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Kingdom?
The shipment records behind United Kingdom plastic apparel and clothing imports (HS 3926.20): 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 3926.20: Plastics: articles of apparel and clothing accessories (including gloves, mittens and mitts).
Common questions
What is the value of plastic apparel and clothing imported by the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom imported plastic apparel and clothing worth $91.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 21.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 7th of 224 countries worldwide, with 2% of world imports. The value was down 14% on 2023.
Which countries supply plastic apparel and clothing to the United Kingdom?
China was the largest supplier with 77% of the value ($70.5 million), followed by Vietnam (5%) and Malaysia (2%). The top three together account for 83%, out of 73 supplier countries in total. Malaysia grew fastest among the top ten, up 67% on the year.
What is the average import price of plastic apparel and clothing per kg?
The average declared import value was about $4.30 per kg in 2024, 32% below the world average of $6.35 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of plastic apparel and clothing to the United Kingdom changed since 2017?
Imports went from $175.7 million in 2017 to $91.9 million in 2024, a fall of 48%. The peak was 2020 at $1.45 billion. Over 8 years the average was $319.0 million a year.
Does the United Kingdom also export plastic apparel and clothing?
Yes. The United Kingdom exported $17.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to France, Ireland and the Netherlands. On balance the United Kingdom is a net importer of this product, by about $74.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for plastic apparel and clothing?
The HS code for plastic apparel and clothing is subheading 3926.20. It sits in HS chapter 39 (plastics and articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3926 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; the company-level detail sits in EximDataX, which has a direct customs feed for the United Kingdom. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World plastic apparel and clothing trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for the United Kingdom
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