Railway couplings and buffers exports from the United States: data, top buyers and prices
The United States exported $149.5 million of railway couplings and buffers in 2024 (26.7 thousand tonnes). It ranks 2nd of 99 countries for exports of this product. That is 33% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2023, at $222.4 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 | $149.5M | 26.7K t |
| 2023 | $222.4M | 51.4K t |
| 2022 | $199.8M | 28.4K t |
| 2021 | $104.3M | 22.6K t |
| 2020 | $80.3M | 18.5K t |
| 2019 | $160.0M | 37.8K t |
| 2018 | $162.5M | 9.0K t |
| 2017 | $141.6M | 7.2K t |
Where the United States exports railway couplings and buffers to
One buyer market dominates: Mexico accounted for 60% of the value.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | $89.7M | 60% |
| Canada | $28.0M | 19% |
| Australia | $6.5M | 4.4% |
| Czech Republic | $5.1M | 3.4% |
| India | $4.2M | 2.8% |
| Brazil | $1.8M | 1.2% |
| Germany | $1.6M | 1% |
| New Zealand | $1.5M | 1% |
| South Africa | $1.5M | 1% |
| China | $1.4M | 1% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $5.59 per kg, close to the world average of $6.67.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Railway couplings and buffers imports to the United States
In 2024, the United States imported railway couplings and buffers worth $90.4 million (25.5 thousand tonnes). That makes it the 2nd largest importer of this product worldwide, out of 157 countries. Most of the value came from Mexico (37%), China (28%), Poland (12%). Among the main suppliers, Canada grew fastest (+49% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | $33.6M | 37% |
| China | $25.5M | 28% |
| Poland | $11.0M | 12% |
| Canada | $5.3M | 5.9% |
| India | $4.8M | 5.3% |
| Germany | $3.2M | 3.6% |
| Sweden | $2.2M | 2.5% |
| Czech Republic | $1.3M | 1.5% |
| Vietnam | $1.2M | 1.3% |
| United Kingdom | $402K | 0.4% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United States?
The shipment records behind United States railway couplings and buffers exports (HS 8607.30): 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 8607.30: Railway or tramway locomotives or rolling stock: parts, hooks and other coupling devices, buffers and parts thereof.
Common questions
What is the value of railway couplings and buffers exported by the United States?
The United States exported railway couplings and buffers worth $149.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 26.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 2nd of 99 countries worldwide, with 17% of world exports. The value was down 33% on 2023.
Which countries buy railway couplings and buffers from the United States?
Mexico was the largest buyer with 60% of the value ($89.7 million), followed by Canada (19%) and Australia (4%). The top three together account for 83%, out of 76 buyer countries in total. South Africa grew fastest among the top ten, up 738% on the year.
What is the average export price of railway couplings and buffers per kg?
The average declared export value was about $5.59 per kg in 2024, 16% below the world average of $6.67 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have exports of railway couplings and buffers from the United States changed since 2017?
Exports went from $141.6 million in 2017 to $149.5 million in 2024, an increase of 6%. The peak was 2023 at $222.4 million. Over 8 years the average was $152.5 million a year.
Does the United States also import railway couplings and buffers?
Yes. The United States imported $90.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Mexico, China and Poland. On balance the United States is a net exporter of this product, by about $59.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for railway couplings and buffers?
The HS code for railway couplings and buffers is subheading 8607.30. It sits in HS chapter 86 (railway, tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and parts thereof; railway or tramway track fixtures and fittings and parts thereof; mechanical (including electro-mechanical) traffic signalling equipment of all kinds). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8607 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Shipment-level records for the United States reach EximDataX from a direct customs feed, with company names, dates and declared values. We can show them for your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World railway couplings and buffers trade: top importers and exporters
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