Magnetic stripe cards exports from the United States: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, the United States exported magnetic stripe cards worth $38.9 million (1.2 thousand tonnes). It ranks 2nd of 147 countries for exports of this product. Value fell 9% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 11% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $85.9 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 | $38.9M | 1.2K t |
| 2023 | $43.0M | 1.1K t |
| 2022 | $53.3M | 1.5K t |
| 2021 | $49.5M | 949 t |
| 2020 | $45.2M | 1.2K t |
| 2019 | $66.9M | 992 t |
| 2018 | $85.0M | 694 t |
| 2017 | $85.9M | 1.1K t |
Where the United States exports magnetic stripe cards to
Canada alone took 60% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Australia grew fastest (+43% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | $23.5M | 60% |
| Australia | $4.0M | 10% |
| Mexico | $3.6M | 9.2% |
| United Kingdom | $915K | 2.4% |
| Japan | $624K | 1.6% |
| Morocco | $390K | 1% |
| Nicaragua | $339K | 0.9% |
| Colombia | $333K | 0.9% |
| Malaysia | $323K | 0.8% |
| Costa Rica | $314K | 0.8% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $33.32 per kg, close to the world average of $29.31.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Magnetic stripe cards imports to the United States
The United States imported $22.4 million of magnetic stripe cards in 2024 (1.1 thousand tonnes). That makes it the 2nd largest importer of this product worldwide, out of 201 countries. The largest suppliers were China (31%), Mexico (20%), United Kingdom (15%). Among the main suppliers, South Korea grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $6.9M | 31% |
| Mexico | $4.4M | 20% |
| United Kingdom | $3.4M | 15% |
| Canada | $2.0M | 8.9% |
| Italy | $1.1M | 5.1% |
| Japan | $1000K | 4.5% |
| South Korea | $680K | 3% |
| United Arab Emirates | $507K | 2.3% |
| Taiwan | $453K | 2% |
| Poland | $398K | 1.8% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United States?
The shipment records behind United States magnetic stripe cards exports (HS 8523.21): 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 8523.21: Magnetic media: cards incorporating a magnetic stripe, whether or not recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37.
Common questions
What is the value of magnetic stripe cards exported by the United States?
The United States exported magnetic stripe cards worth $38.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 2nd of 147 countries worldwide, with 14% of world exports. The value was down 9% on 2023.
Which countries buy magnetic stripe cards from the United States?
Canada was the largest buyer with 60% of the value ($23.5 million), followed by Australia (10%) and Mexico (9%). The top three together account for 80%, out of 126 buyer countries in total. Colombia grew fastest among the top ten, up 250% on the year.
What is the average export price of magnetic stripe cards per kg?
The average declared export value was about $33.32 per kg in 2024, 14% above the world average of $29.31 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have exports of magnetic stripe cards from the United States changed since 2017?
Exports went from $85.9 million in 2017 to $38.9 million in 2024, a fall of 55%. The peak was 2017 at $85.9 million. Over 8 years the average was $58.5 million a year.
Does the United States also import magnetic stripe cards?
Yes. The United States imported $22.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, Mexico and the United Kingdom. On balance the United States is a net exporter of this product, by about $16.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for magnetic stripe cards?
The HS code for magnetic stripe cards is subheading 8523.21. 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 States. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World magnetic stripe cards trade: top importers and exporters
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