🇬🇧 United Kingdom imports of railway sleepers: 2024 trade data
Imports of railway sleepers by the United Kingdom reached $7.1 million in 2024 (20.9 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 2%. Value fell 42% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 20% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2020, at $42.7 million.
Public statistics, latest reported year 2024. Values in US dollars.
Imports of railway sleepers by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7.1M | 20.9K t |
| 2023 | $12.3M | 24.0K t |
| 2022 | $10.8M | 29.2K t |
| 2021 | $40.3M | 70.6K t |
| 2020 | $42.7M | 106.3K t |
| 2019 | $29.4M | 75.2K t |
| 2018 | $39.3M | 89.3K t |
| 2017 | $33.1M | 98.7K t |
Where the United Kingdom imports railway sleepers from
Most of the value came from Brazil (23%), Belgium (22%), Romania (16%). Among the main suppliers, Poland grew fastest (+199% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | $1.6M | 23% |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium | $1.6M | 22% |
| 🇷🇴 Romania | $1.1M | 16% |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | $903K | 13% |
| 🇵🇱 Poland | $873K | 12% |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | $291K | 4.1% |
| 🇱🇻 Latvia | $191K | 2.7% |
| 🇨🇩 DR Congo | $161K | 2.3% |
| 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | $146K | 2% |
| 🇫🇷 France | $130K | 1.8% |
Types of railway sleepers under HS 4406
| 4406.12 | Wood: railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties), not impregnated, non-coniferous | 51% |
| 4406.92 | Wood: railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties), impregnated, non-coniferous | 39% |
| 4406.91 | Wood: railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties), impregnated, coniferous | 6.1% |
| 4406.11 | Wood: railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties), not impregnated, coniferous | 4.2% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 4406.
Average import price of railway sleepers
The average declared value was about $0.34 per kg, 41% below the world average of $0.58, 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.
The United Kingdom also exports railway sleepers
In 2024, the United Kingdom exported railway sleepers worth $573 thousand (645 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Hong Kong (30%), Ireland (29%), Norway (19%). Among the main buyer markets, Hong Kong grew fastest (+875% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 🇭🇰 Hong Kong | $171K | 30% |
| 🇮🇪 Ireland | $165K | 29% |
| 🇳🇴 Norway | $107K | 19% |
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand | $38K | 6.6% |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | $20K | 3.5% |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | $14K | 2.4% |
| 🇫🇰 Falkland Isds (Malvinas) | $13K | 2.2% |
| 🇫🇷 France | $11K | 1.8% |
| 🇦🇹 Austria | $9K | 1.5% |
| 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | $8K | 1.5% |
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 4406: Railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood.
Railway sleepers trade in the United Kingdom: questions
What is the value of railway sleepers imported by the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom imported railway sleepers worth $7.1 million in 2024 (20.9 thousand tonnes).
Where does the United Kingdom import railway sleepers from?
The main supplier countries in 2024 were Brazil (23%), Belgium (22%), Romania (16%).
What is the average import price of railway sleepers in the United Kingdom?
The average declared import value was about $0.34 per kg in 2024, against a world average of $0.58 per kg.
Does the United Kingdom export railway sleepers?
Yes. The United Kingdom exported railway sleepers worth $573 thousand in 2024, mainly to Hong Kong, Ireland, Norway.
What is the HS code for railway sleepers?
Railway sleepers falls under HS heading 4406 (Railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood). The six-digit codes under it split the product by type.
How can I find the companies trading railway sleepers 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.
Railway sleepers trade in other countries
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