Cigarettes imports in Zambia: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, Zambia imported cigarettes worth $34.2 million (4.1 thousand tonnes). That is 6% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 45% a year on average.
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 | $34.2M | 4.1K t |
| 2023 | $36.3M | 5.3K t |
| 2022 | $4.8M | 350 t |
| 2021 | $2.0M | 204 t |
| 2020 | $1.4M | 182 t |
| 2019 | $2.1M | 252 t |
| 2018 | $1.2M | 150 t |
| 2017 | $2.5M | 297 t |
Where Zambia imports cigarettes from
One supplier dominates: Zimbabwe accounted for 96% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $32.9M | 96% |
| South Africa | $866K | 2.5% |
| Kenya | $243K | 0.7% |
| Namibia | $99K | 0.3% |
| Angola | $45K | 0.1% |
| Burundi | $36K | 0.1% |
| China | $28K | 0.1% |
| Germany | $5K | 0% |
| Switzerland | $3K | 0% |
| Spain | $3K | 0% |
Product types under HS 2402
| 2402.20 | Cigarettes: containing tobacco | 100% |
| 2402.10 | Cigars | 0% |
| 2402.90 | Herbal cigars | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2402.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $8.29 per kg, 64% below the world average of $22.88, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Cigarettes exports from Zambia
In 2024, Zambia exported cigarettes worth $6.1 million (543 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Libya (49%), Egypt (28%), DR Congo (10%).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Libya | $3.0M | 49% |
| Egypt | $1.7M | 28% |
| DR Congo | $620K | 10% |
| Malawi | $463K | 7.6% |
| Republic of the Congo | $315K | 5.1% |
| Namibia | $4K | 0.1% |
| South Africa | $2K | 0% |
| South Korea | $0K | 0% |
| Kenya | $0K | 0% |
| Zimbabwe | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zambia?
The shipment records behind Zambia cigarettes imports (HS 2402): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
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 2402: Cigars, cheroots, cigarillos and cigarettes; of tobacco or of tobacco substitutes.
Common questions
What is the value of cigarettes imported by Zambia?
Zambia imported cigarettes worth $34.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 4.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 85th of 224 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 6% on 2023.
Which countries supply cigarettes to Zambia?
Zimbabwe was the largest supplier with 96% of the value ($32.9 million), followed by South Africa (3%) and Kenya (1%). The top three together account for 99%, out of 15 supplier countries in total. Namibia grew fastest among the top ten, up 524% on the year.
What is the average import price of cigarettes per kg?
The average declared import value was about $8.29 per kg in 2024, 64% below the world average of $22.88 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of cigarettes to Zambia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $2.5 million in 2017 to $34.2 million in 2024. The peak was 2023 at $36.3 million. Over 8 years the average was $10.6 million a year.
Does Zambia also export cigarettes?
Yes. Zambia exported $6.1 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Libya, Egypt and the DR Congo. On balance Zambia is a net importer of this product, by about $28.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for cigarettes?
The HS code for cigarettes is heading 2402. In Zambia the largest six-digit codes were 2402.20 (100% of the value) and 2402.10 (0%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for Zambia. Tell us your product to see it live.
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