Medical instruments imports in Zambia: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of medical instruments by Zambia reached $24.5 million in 2024 (2.2 thousand tonnes). Value fell 23% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2020, at $42.1 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
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Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $24.5M | 2.2K t |
| 2023 | $31.9M | 2.1K t |
| 2022 | $34.1M | 2.0K t |
| 2021 | $33.0M | 1.6K t |
| 2020 | $42.1M | 920 t |
| 2019 | $24.7M | 1.0K t |
| 2018 | $23.8M | 1.0K t |
| 2017 | $16.0M | 558 t |
Where Zambia imports medical instruments from
Most of the value came from China (20%), India (18%), South Africa (15%). Among the main suppliers, Kenya grew fastest (+847% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $5.0M | 20% |
| India | $4.4M | 18% |
| South Africa | $3.7M | 15% |
| Kenya | $1.6M | 6.3% |
| Germany | $1.2M | 5% |
| Belgium | $1.2M | 4.7% |
| Denmark | $1.1M | 4.4% |
| Egypt | $977K | 4% |
| United States | $868K | 3.5% |
| Hong Kong | $669K | 2.7% |
Product types under HS 9018
| 9018.90 | Medical instruments (other) | 47% |
| 9018.39 | Catheters and cannulae | 17% |
| 9018.31 | Medical syringes | 13% |
| 9018.50 | Ophthalmic instruments | 5.8% |
| 9018.32 | Medical needles | 5.4% |
| 9018.13 | MRI machines | 3.4% |
| 9018.19 | Electrodiagnostic equipment | 3.3% |
| 9018.12 | Ultrasound machines | 2.9% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 9018.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $11.18 per kg, 70% below the world average of $37.39, 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.
Who is behind these numbers in Zambia?
The shipment records behind Zambia medical instruments imports (HS 9018): 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 9018: Instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences, including scintigraphic apparatus, other electro-medical apparatus and sight testing instruments.
Common questions
What is the value of medical instruments imported by Zambia?
Zambia imported medical instruments worth $24.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 120th of 226 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 23% on 2023.
Which countries supply medical instruments to Zambia?
China was the largest supplier with 20% of the value ($5.0 million), followed by India (18%) and South Africa (15%). The top three together account for 53%, out of 58 supplier countries in total. Kenya grew fastest among the top ten, up 847% on the year.
What is the average import price of medical instruments per kg?
The average declared import value was about $11.18 per kg in 2024, 70% below the world average of $37.39 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of medical instruments to Zambia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $16.0 million in 2017 to $24.5 million in 2024, an increase of 53%. The peak was 2020 at $42.1 million. Over 8 years the average was $28.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for medical instruments?
The HS code for medical instruments is heading 9018. In Zambia the largest six-digit codes were 9018.90 (47% of the value) and 9018.39 (17%).
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.
Same product, other countries
World medical instruments trade: top importers and exporters
Medical instruments product types in Zambia
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