🇺🇸 United States imports of shells and coral: 2024 trade data
Imports of shells and coral by the United States reached $11.8 million in 2024 (2.2 thousand tonnes). It ranks 4th of 139 countries for imports of this product. Value fell 29% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2021, at $23.5 million.
Public statistics, latest reported year 2024. Values in US dollars.
Imports of shells and coral by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $11.8M | 2.2K t |
| 2023 | $16.7M | 3.5K t |
| 2022 | $21.6M | 5.3K t |
| 2021 | $23.5M | 4.3K t |
| 2020 | $21.9M | 4.5K t |
| 2019 | $17.8M | 3.8K t |
| 2018 | $18.2M | 6.3K t |
| 2017 | $14.5M | 6.6K t |
Where the United States imports shells and coral from
The largest suppliers were Indonesia (38%), Australia (19%), China (13%). Among the main suppliers, Malaysia grew fastest (+348% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | $4.4M | 38% |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | $2.2M | 19% |
| 🇨🇳 China | $1.5M | 13% |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | $805K | 6.8% |
| 🇮🇳 India | $530K | 4.5% |
| 🇵🇭 Philippines | $380K | 3.2% |
| 🇲🇾 Malaysia | $294K | 2.5% |
| 🇻🇳 Vietnam | $271K | 2.3% |
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand | $239K | 2% |
| 🇸🇧 Solomon Isds | $216K | 1.8% |
Average import price of shells and coral
The average declared value was about $5.24 per kg, 470% above the world average of $0.92. 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.
The United States also exports shells and coral
In 2024, the United States exported shells and coral worth $2.4 million (2.5 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 2%. The largest buyer markets were Canada (37%), China (22%), United Arab Emirates (8%). Among the main buyer markets, Bahamas grew fastest (+136% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇦 Canada | $892K | 37% |
| 🇨🇳 China | $516K | 22% |
| 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | $191K | 8% |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | $183K | 7.7% |
| 🇧🇸 Bahamas | $150K | 6.3% |
| 🇧🇩 Bangladesh | $101K | 4.2% |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | $69K | 2.9% |
| 🇮🇳 India | $52K | 2.2% |
| 🇫🇷 France | $29K | 1.2% |
| 🇻🇳 Vietnam | $27K | 1.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United States?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
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.
Updated weekly on EximDataX (some markets daily), while public statistics stop at 2024.
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 0508: Coral and similar materials, unworked or simply prepared, shells of molluscs, crustaceans or echinoderms and cuttle-bone, not cut to shape powder and waste thereof.
Shells and coral trade in the United States: questions
What is the value of shells and coral imported by the United States?
The United States imported shells and coral worth $11.8 million in 2024 (2.2 thousand tonnes).
Where does the United States import shells and coral from?
The main supplier countries in 2024 were Indonesia (38%), Australia (19%), China (13%).
What is the average import price of shells and coral in the United States?
The average declared import value was about $5.24 per kg in 2024, against a world average of $0.92 per kg.
Does the United States export shells and coral?
Yes. The United States exported shells and coral worth $2.4 million in 2024, mainly to Canada, China, United Arab Emirates.
What is the HS code for shells and coral?
Shells and coral falls under HS heading 0508 (Coral and similar materials, unworked or simply prepared, shells of molluscs, crustaceans or echinoderms and cuttle-bone). The six-digit codes under it split the product by type.
How can I find the companies trading shells and coral with the United States?
These public statistics stop at country level. EximDataX has a direct customs feed for the United States with shipment-level records, updated weekly, where you can see the importers and exporters by name.
Shells and coral trade in other countries
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