Ink imports in Zambia: data, top suppliers and prices
Zambia imported $4.1 million of ink in 2024 (831 tonnes). That is 11% 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 | $4.1M | 831 t |
| 2023 | $3.7M | 795 t |
| 2022 | $3.5M | 655 t |
| 2021 | $3.1M | 585 t |
| 2020 | $2.5M | 648 t |
| 2019 | $4.0M | 692 t |
| 2018 | $4.3M | 614 t |
| 2017 | $3.2M | 560 t |
Where Zambia imports ink from
South Africa alone supplied 63% of it. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+80% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $2.6M | 63% |
| China | $634K | 15% |
| Tanzania | $311K | 7.6% |
| India | $162K | 3.9% |
| Switzerland | $105K | 2.5% |
| United Arab Emirates | $62K | 1.5% |
| Japan | $54K | 1.3% |
| Kenya | $39K | 1% |
| Germany | $38K | 0.9% |
| Netherlands | $32K | 0.8% |
Product types under HS 3215
| 3215.19 | Colored printing ink | 47% |
| 3215.90 | Writing and drawing ink | 38% |
| 3215.11 | Black printing ink | 15% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3215.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.95 per kg, 62% below the world average of $13.13, 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.
Ink exports from Zambia
Exports of ink by Zambia reached $459 thousand in 2024 (103 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Malawi accounted for 100% of the value.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Malawi | $457K | 100% |
| DR Congo | $1K | 0.2% |
| Zimbabwe | $0K | 0.1% |
| Namibia | $0K | 0.1% |
| South Africa | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zambia?
The shipment records behind Zambia ink imports (HS 3215): 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 3215: Ink; printing, writing or drawing ink and other inks; whether or not concentrated or solid.
Common questions
What is the value of ink imported by Zambia?
Zambia imported ink worth $4.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 831 tonnes. That ranks it 113th of 223 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 11% on 2023.
Which countries supply ink to Zambia?
South Africa was the largest supplier with 63% of the value ($2.6 million), followed by China (15%) and Tanzania (8%). The top three together account for 86%, out of 28 supplier countries in total. Japan grew fastest among the top ten, up 724% on the year.
What is the average import price of ink per kg?
The average declared import value was about $4.95 per kg in 2024, 62% below the world average of $13.13 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of ink to Zambia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $3.2 million in 2017 to $4.1 million in 2024, an increase of 27%. The peak was 2018 at $4.3 million. Over 8 years the average was $3.6 million a year.
Does Zambia also export ink?
Yes. Zambia exported $459 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Malawi, the DR Congo and Zimbabwe. On balance Zambia is a net importer of this product, by about $3.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for ink?
The HS code for ink is heading 3215. In Zambia the largest six-digit codes were 3215.19 (47% of the value) and 3215.90 (38%).
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.
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