Recorded optical discs imports in the United Kingdom: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, the United Kingdom imported recorded optical discs worth $303.7 million (5.6 thousand tonnes). It ranks 6th of 213 countries for imports of this product. That is 11% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 12% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $723.0 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 | $303.7M | 5.6K t |
| 2023 | $341.8M | 6.0K t |
| 2022 | $360.4M | 7.7K t |
| 2021 | $370.5M | 42.8K t |
| 2020 | $487.6M | 48.5K t |
| 2019 | $624.1M | 16.5K t |
| 2018 | $719.5M | 21.0K t |
| 2017 | $723.0M | 21.2K t |
Where the United Kingdom imports recorded optical discs from
Most of the value came from Austria (29%), Czech Republic (13%), Poland (12%).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | $87.0M | 29% |
| Czech Republic | $40.4M | 13% |
| Poland | $37.6M | 12% |
| Germany | $36.0M | 12% |
| United States | $27.4M | 9% |
| France | $20.7M | 6.8% |
| Netherlands | $13.0M | 4.3% |
| Japan | $5.2M | 1.7% |
| Italy | $4.7M | 1.6% |
| Ireland | $4.4M | 1.5% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $54.12 per kg, close to the world average of $58.85.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Recorded optical discs exports from the United Kingdom
Exports of recorded optical discs by the United Kingdom reached $270.6 million in 2024 (3.9 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 3%. Most of it went to United Arab Emirates (22%), United States (16%), China (13%). Among the main buyer markets, United Arab Emirates grew fastest (+92% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | $60.8M | 23% |
| United States | $44.2M | 16% |
| China | $35.7M | 13% |
| Ireland | $17.9M | 6.6% |
| Netherlands | $17.2M | 6.4% |
| France | $9.9M | 3.7% |
| Germany | $8.7M | 3.2% |
| Japan | $6.2M | 2.3% |
| Hong Kong | $5.5M | 2.1% |
| Denmark | $4.7M | 1.7% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Kingdom?
The shipment records behind United Kingdom recorded optical discs imports (HS 8523.49): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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.
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 8523.49: Optical media: recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37.
Common questions
What is the value of recorded optical discs imported by the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom imported recorded optical discs worth $303.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 5.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 6th of 213 countries worldwide, with 4% of world imports. The value was down 11% on 2023.
Which countries supply recorded optical discs to the United Kingdom?
Austria was the largest supplier with 29% of the value ($87.0 million), followed by the Czech Republic (13%) and Poland (12%). The top three together account for 54%, out of 71 supplier countries in total.
What is the average import price of recorded optical discs per kg?
The average declared import value was about $54.12 per kg in 2024, 8% below the world average of $58.85 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of recorded optical discs to the United Kingdom changed since 2017?
Imports went from $723.0 million in 2017 to $303.7 million in 2024, a fall of 58%. The peak was 2017 at $723.0 million. Over 8 years the average was $491.3 million a year.
Does the United Kingdom also export recorded optical discs?
Yes. The United Kingdom exported $270.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the United Arab Emirates, the United States and China. That compares with imports of $303.7 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for recorded optical discs?
The HS code for recorded optical discs is subheading 8523.49. It sits in HS chapter 85 (electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers, parts and accessories of such articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8523 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 recorded optical discs trade: top importers and exporters
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.