Computer imports in Zambia: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, Zambia imported computer worth $51.2 million (631 tonnes). That is 16% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2018, at $102.8 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 | $51.2M | 631 t |
| 2023 | $44.2M | 663 t |
| 2022 | $51.7M | 500 t |
| 2021 | $46.0M | 686 t |
| 2020 | $64.0M | 348 t |
| 2019 | $40.0M | 219 t |
| 2018 | $102.8M | 617 t |
| 2017 | $47.4M | 272 t |
Where Zambia imports computer from
The largest suppliers were South Africa (27%), China (20%), United Kingdom (13%). Among the main suppliers, Finland grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $13.8M | 27% |
| China | $10.2M | 20% |
| United Kingdom | $6.6M | 13% |
| United Arab Emirates | $5.6M | 11% |
| Hong Kong | $2.8M | 5.5% |
| United States | $1.6M | 3.2% |
| Netherlands | $1.3M | 2.6% |
| Finland | $1.0M | 2% |
| Canada | $620K | 1.2% |
| Germany | $616K | 1.2% |
Product types under HS 8471
| 8471.30 | Portable computers | 43% |
| 8471.50 | Computer processing units | 25% |
| 8471.49 | Computer systems | 8.4% |
| 8471.41 | Desktop computers | 6.4% |
| 8471.70 | Computer storage units | 5.5% |
| 8471.60 | Computer input/output units | 4.3% |
| 8471.90 | Data readers and transcription machines | 4.1% |
| 8471.80 | Computer units (other types) | 3.5% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8471.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $81.10 per kg, 66% below the world average of $236.75, 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.
Computer exports from Zambia
In 2024, Zambia exported computer worth $454 thousand (6 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were South Africa (31%), Malawi (19%), United Arab Emirates (16%). Among the main buyer markets, Tanzania grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $142K | 31% |
| Malawi | $85K | 19% |
| United Arab Emirates | $73K | 16% |
| DR Congo | $37K | 8.2% |
| Zimbabwe | $35K | 7.7% |
| Botswana | $13K | 2.8% |
| Luxembourg | $12K | 2.7% |
| Tanzania | $12K | 2.5% |
| United States | $10K | 2.2% |
| Hong Kong | $7K | 1.6% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zambia?
The shipment records behind Zambia computer imports (HS 8471): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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 8471: Automatic data processing machines and units thereof, magnetic or optical readers, machines for transcribing data onto data media in coded form and machines for processing such data, not elsewhere specified or included.
Common questions
What is the value of computer imported by Zambia?
Zambia imported computer worth $51.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 631 tonnes. That ranks it 114th of 225 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 16% on 2023.
Which countries supply computer to Zambia?
South Africa was the largest supplier with 27% of the value ($13.8 million), followed by China (20%) and the United Kingdom (13%). The top three together account for 60%, out of 70 supplier countries in total. The United Kingdom grew fastest among the top ten, up 290% on the year.
What is the average import price of computer per kg?
The average declared import value was about $81.10 per kg in 2024, 66% below the world average of $236.75 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of computer to Zambia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $47.4 million in 2017 to $51.2 million in 2024, an increase of 8%. The peak was 2018 at $102.8 million. Over 8 years the average was $55.9 million a year.
Does Zambia also export computer?
Yes. Zambia exported $454 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to South Africa, Malawi and the United Arab Emirates. On balance Zambia is a net importer of this product, by about $50.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for computer?
The HS code for computer is heading 8471. In Zambia the largest six-digit codes were 8471.30 (43% of the value) and 8471.50 (25%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For Zambia, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
Computer product types in Zambia
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