Cosmetic imports in Zambia: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, Zambia imported cosmetic worth $18.1 million (10.8 thousand tonnes). That is 8% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
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 | $18.1M | 10.8K t |
| 2023 | $16.8M | 10.9K t |
| 2022 | $18.5M | 11.5K t |
| 2021 | $15.0M | 11.3K t |
| 2020 | $15.7M | 8.7K t |
| 2019 | $13.7M | 5.9K t |
| 2018 | $14.2M | 6.9K t |
| 2017 | $12.4M | 4.3K t |
Where Zambia imports cosmetic from
South Africa alone supplied 72% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $13.0M | 72% |
| Cote d'Ivoire | $1.9M | 10% |
| Tanzania | $622K | 3.4% |
| Uganda | $620K | 3.4% |
| Belgium | $380K | 2.1% |
| Spain | $334K | 1.8% |
| China | $219K | 1.2% |
| Poland | $160K | 0.9% |
| DR Congo | $151K | 0.8% |
| Germany | $99K | 0.5% |
Product types under HS 3304
| 3304.99 | Cosmetic and toilet preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for the care of the skin (excluding medicaments, including sunscreen or sun tan… | 95% |
| 3304.91 | Cosmetic and toilet preparations: powders, whether or not compressed (excluding lip, eye, manicure or pedicure preparations) | 2% |
| 3304.30 | Cosmetic and toilet preparations: manicure or pedicure preparations | 1.2% |
| 3304.10 | Cosmetic and toilet preparations: lip make-up | 1.1% |
| 3304.20 | Cosmetic and toilet preparations: eye make-up | 0.8% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3304.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.68 per kg, 92% below the world average of $21.51, 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.
Cosmetic exports from Zambia
Exports of cosmetic by Zambia reached $2.5 million in 2024 (1.0 thousand tonnes). One buyer market dominates: DR Congo accounted for 94% of the value.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DR Congo | $2.3M | 94% |
| Malawi | $92K | 3.7% |
| Germany | $14K | 0.6% |
| Austria | $8K | 0.3% |
| Czech Republic | $8K | 0.3% |
| Zimbabwe | $6K | 0.3% |
| Burundi | $5K | 0.2% |
| Angola | $4K | 0.2% |
| Sweden | $1K | 0.1% |
| Australia | $1K | 0.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zambia?
The shipment records behind Zambia cosmetic imports (HS 3304): 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 3304: Cosmetic and toilet preparations; beauty, make-up and skin care preparations (excluding medicaments, including sunscreen or sun tan preparations), manicure or pedicure preparations.
Common questions
What is the value of cosmetic imported by Zambia?
Zambia imported cosmetic worth $18.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 10.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 124th of 224 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 8% on 2023.
Which countries supply cosmetic to Zambia?
South Africa was the largest supplier with 72% of the value ($13.0 million), followed by Cote d'Ivoire (10%) and Tanzania (3%). The top three together account for 86%, out of 45 supplier countries in total. Belgium grew fastest among the top ten, up 103% on the year.
What is the average import price of cosmetic per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.68 per kg in 2024, 92% below the world average of $21.51 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of cosmetic to Zambia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $12.4 million in 2017 to $18.1 million in 2024, an increase of 47%. The peak was 2022 at $18.5 million. Over 8 years the average was $15.6 million a year.
Does Zambia also export cosmetic?
Yes. Zambia exported $2.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the DR Congo, Malawi and Germany. On balance Zambia is a net importer of this product, by about $15.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for cosmetic?
The HS code for cosmetic is heading 3304. In Zambia the largest six-digit codes were 3304.99 (95% of the value) and 3304.91 (2%).
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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