Shoe polish exports from the United Kingdom: data, top buyers and prices
The United Kingdom exported $9.2 million of shoe polish in 2024 (849 tonnes). Its share of world exports was 3%. That is 13% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 13% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $23.7 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $9.2M | 849 t |
| 2023 | $10.5M | 964 t |
| 2022 | $11.0M | 1.6K t |
| 2021 | $11.9M | 1.0K t |
| 2020 | $14.6M | 1.7K t |
| 2019 | $17.6M | 1.9K t |
| 2018 | $18.9M | 1.9K t |
| 2017 | $23.7M | 1.8K t |
Where the United Kingdom exports shoe polish to
The largest buyer markets were Denmark (18%), Netherlands (10%), France (8%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 36%. Among the main buyer markets, Belgium grew fastest (+91% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Denmark | $1.7M | 18% |
| Netherlands | $888K | 9.7% |
| France | $706K | 7.7% |
| United States | $648K | 7.1% |
| China | $625K | 6.8% |
| Belgium | $465K | 5.1% |
| Australia | $420K | 4.6% |
| Japan | $349K | 3.8% |
| Germany | $311K | 3.4% |
| Ireland | $279K | 3.1% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $10.79 per kg, 78% above the world average of $6.07. 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.
Shoe polish imports to the United Kingdom
Imports of shoe polish by the United Kingdom reached $7.8 million in 2024 (806 tonnes). That makes it the 7th largest importer of this product worldwide, out of 205 countries. Most of the value came from China (15%), United States (15%), France (12%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 42%. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+38% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $1.2M | 16% |
| United States | $1.2M | 15% |
| France | $936K | 12% |
| Germany | $910K | 12% |
| Turkey | $905K | 12% |
| Belgium | $714K | 9.1% |
| Poland | $622K | 7.9% |
| Spain | $561K | 7.2% |
| Ireland | $198K | 2.5% |
| Italy | $118K | 1.5% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Kingdom?
The shipment records behind United Kingdom shoe polish exports (HS 3405.10): 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 3405.10: Polishes, creams and similar preparations: for footwear or leather, excluding waxes of heading no. 3404.
Common questions
What is the value of shoe polish exported by the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom exported shoe polish worth $9.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 849 tonnes. That ranks it 11th of 137 countries worldwide, with 3% of world exports. The value was down 13% on 2023.
Which countries buy shoe polish from the United Kingdom?
Denmark was the largest buyer with 18% of the value ($1.7 million), followed by the Netherlands (10%) and France (8%). The top three together account for 36%, out of 99 buyer countries in total. Belgium grew fastest among the top ten, up 91% on the year.
What is the average export price of shoe polish per kg?
The average declared export value was about $10.79 per kg in 2024, 78% above the world average of $6.07 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have exports of shoe polish from the United Kingdom changed since 2017?
Exports went from $23.7 million in 2017 to $9.2 million in 2024, a fall of 61%. The peak was 2017 at $23.7 million. Over 8 years the average was $14.7 million a year.
Does the United Kingdom also import shoe polish?
Yes. The United Kingdom imported $7.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, the United States and France. That compares with exports of $9.2 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for shoe polish?
The HS code for shoe polish is subheading 3405.10. It sits in HS chapter 34 (soap, organic surface-active agents; washing, lubricating, polishing or scouring preparations; artificial or prepared waxes, candles and similar articles, modelling pastes, dental waxes and dental preparations with a basis of plaster). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3405 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.
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