Printing component preparation machinery imports in the United Kingdom: data, top suppliers and prices
The United Kingdom imported $8.6 million of printing component preparation machinery in 2024 (206 tonnes). Its share of world imports was 2%. That is 16% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 9% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2021, at $20.8 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 | $8.6M | 206 t |
| 2023 | $10.2M | 145 t |
| 2022 | $11.0M | 208 t |
| 2021 | $20.8M | 227 t |
| 2020 | $5.2M | 169 t |
| 2019 | $13.2M | 369 t |
| 2018 | $11.2M | 263 t |
| 2017 | $16.4M | 527 t |
Where the United Kingdom imports printing component preparation machinery from
Most of the value came from Germany (48%), China (8%), Netherlands (6%). Among the main suppliers, Slovakia grew fastest (+660% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | $4.1M | 48% |
| China | $728K | 8.5% |
| Netherlands | $530K | 6.2% |
| Japan | $523K | 6.1% |
| France | $489K | 5.7% |
| Italy | $478K | 5.6% |
| United States | $341K | 4% |
| Slovakia | $266K | 3.1% |
| Switzerland | $208K | 2.4% |
| Turkey | $192K | 2.2% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $41.59 per kg, close to the world average of $36.17.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Printing component preparation machinery exports from the United Kingdom
In 2024, the United Kingdom exported printing component preparation machinery worth $8.0 million (404 tonnes). Its share of world exports was 2%. The largest buyer markets were United States (20%), Germany (15%), Ireland (7%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 42%. Among the main buyer markets, Switzerland grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $1.6M | 20% |
| Germany | $1.2M | 15% |
| Ireland | $591K | 7.4% |
| Turkey | $409K | 5.1% |
| France | $357K | 4.4% |
| Benin | $299K | 3.7% |
| Switzerland | $289K | 3.6% |
| Brazil | $281K | 3.5% |
| Gibraltar | $261K | 3.2% |
| Belgium | $234K | 2.9% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Kingdom?
The shipment records behind United Kingdom printing component preparation machinery imports (HS 8442.30): 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 8442.30: Machinery, apparatus and equipment (excluding machines of heading no. 8456 to 8465) for preparing or making printing components.
Common questions
What is the value of printing component preparation machinery imported by the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom imported printing component preparation machinery worth $8.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 206 tonnes. That ranks it 15th of 175 countries worldwide, with 2% of world imports. The value was down 16% on 2023.
Which countries supply printing component preparation machinery to the United Kingdom?
Germany was the largest supplier with 48% of the value ($4.1 million), followed by China (8%) and the Netherlands (6%). The top three together account for 62%, out of 29 supplier countries in total. Slovakia grew fastest among the top ten, up 660% on the year.
What is the average import price of printing component preparation machinery per kg?
The average declared import value was about $41.59 per kg in 2024, 15% above the world average of $36.17 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of printing component preparation machinery to the United Kingdom changed since 2017?
Imports went from $16.4 million in 2017 to $8.6 million in 2024, a fall of 48%. The peak was 2021 at $20.8 million. Over 8 years the average was $12.1 million a year.
Does the United Kingdom also export printing component preparation machinery?
Yes. The United Kingdom exported $8.0 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the United States, Germany and Ireland. That compares with imports of $8.6 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for printing component preparation machinery?
The HS code for printing component preparation machinery is subheading 8442.30. It sits in HS chapter 84 (machinery and mechanical appliances, boilers, nuclear reactors; parts thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8442 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 printing component preparation machinery trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for the United Kingdom
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