Magnetic tape media imports in the United States: data, top suppliers and prices
The United States imported $107.5 million of magnetic tape media in 2024 (873 tonnes). That makes it the 4th largest importer of this product worldwide, out of 204 countries. That is 27% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 16% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $360.6 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 | $107.5M | 873 t |
| 2023 | $146.3M | 1.2K t |
| 2022 | $223.7M | 2.0K t |
| 2021 | $259.9M | 2.3K t |
| 2020 | $227.5M | 2.2K t |
| 2019 | $263.3M | 2.2K t |
| 2018 | $312.4M | 3.0K t |
| 2017 | $360.6M | 3.4K t |
Where the United States imports magnetic tape media from
One supplier dominates: Japan accounted for 78% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | $83.7M | 78% |
| South Korea | $3.3M | 3.1% |
| Germany | $2.7M | 2.5% |
| Mexico | $2.5M | 2.4% |
| Australia | $2.0M | 1.9% |
| United Kingdom | $1.8M | 1.7% |
| Bolivia | $1.5M | 1.4% |
| France | $1.4M | 1.3% |
| Greece | $1.3M | 1.2% |
| Italy | $1.3M | 1.2% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $123.18 per kg, close to the world average of $140.18.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Magnetic tape media exports from the United States
Exports of magnetic tape media by the United States reached $106.6 million in 2024 (614 tonnes). It ranks 5th of 153 countries for exports of this product. Most of it went to Mexico (41%), Spain (6%), Japan (5%). Among the main buyer markets, Spain grew fastest (+932% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | $43.5M | 41% |
| Spain | $6.4M | 6% |
| Japan | $5.2M | 4.9% |
| Germany | $4.7M | 4.4% |
| Hong Kong | $3.6M | 3.4% |
| Guatemala | $3.5M | 3.3% |
| Netherlands | $3.4M | 3.2% |
| China | $2.9M | 2.7% |
| Costa Rica | $2.7M | 2.6% |
| South Korea | $2.6M | 2.4% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United States?
The shipment records behind United States magnetic tape media imports (HS 8523.29): 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 8523.29: Magnetic media: other than cards incorporating a magnetic stripe, whether or not recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37.
Common questions
What is the value of magnetic tape media imported by the United States?
The United States imported magnetic tape media worth $107.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 873 tonnes. That ranks it 4th of 204 countries worldwide, with 3% of world imports. The value was down 27% on 2023.
Which countries supply magnetic tape media to the United States?
Japan was the largest supplier with 78% of the value ($83.7 million), followed by South Korea (3%) and Germany (3%). The top three together account for 83%, out of 68 supplier countries in total. Germany grew fastest among the top ten, up 220% on the year.
What is the average import price of magnetic tape media per kg?
The average declared import value was about $123.18 per kg in 2024, 12% below the world average of $140.18 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of magnetic tape media to the United States changed since 2017?
Imports went from $360.6 million in 2017 to $107.5 million in 2024, a fall of 70%. The peak was 2017 at $360.6 million. Over 8 years the average was $237.7 million a year.
Does the United States also export magnetic tape media?
Yes. The United States exported $106.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Mexico, Spain and Japan. That compares with imports of $107.5 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for magnetic tape media?
The HS code for magnetic tape media is subheading 8523.29. 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 tape media trade: top importers and exporters
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