Mobile phones imports in Zambia: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, Zambia imported mobile phones worth $13.5 million (698 tonnes). That is 31% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 15% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $41.2 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 | $13.5M | 698 t |
| 2023 | $10.3M | 654 t |
| 2022 | $16.6M | 647 t |
| 2021 | $17.1M | 655 t |
| 2020 | $15.2M | 35 t |
| 2019 | $23.0M | 54 t |
| 2018 | $31.7M | 232 t |
| 2017 | $41.2M | 78 t |
Where Zambia imports mobile phones from
The largest suppliers were China (37%), United Arab Emirates (21%), Hong Kong (19%). Among the main suppliers, South Africa grew fastest (+137% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $5.0M | 37% |
| United Arab Emirates | $2.8M | 21% |
| Hong Kong | $2.6M | 19% |
| South Africa | $2.6M | 19% |
| Singapore | $112K | 0.8% |
| Zimbabwe | $79K | 0.6% |
| Kenya | $51K | 0.4% |
| Mauritius | $43K | 0.3% |
| Vietnam | $32K | 0.2% |
| United States | $23K | 0.2% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $19.30 per kg, 94% below the world average of $321.06, 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.
Mobile phones exports from Zambia
In 2024, Zambia exported mobile phones worth $1.0 million (7 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: United Arab Emirates accounted for 82% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Malawi grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | $831K | 82% |
| Malawi | $105K | 10% |
| Botswana | $19K | 1.9% |
| Spain | $19K | 1.9% |
| South Africa | $15K | 1.5% |
| Namibia | $7K | 0.7% |
| Hong Kong | $5K | 0.5% |
| Kenya | $3K | 0.3% |
| Netherlands | $2K | 0.2% |
| United Kingdom | $2K | 0.2% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zambia?
The shipment records behind Zambia mobile phones imports (HS 8517.12): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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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 8517.12: Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks.
Common questions
What is the value of mobile phones imported by Zambia?
Zambia imported mobile phones worth $13.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 698 tonnes. That ranks it 146th of 220 countries worldwide. The value was up 31% on 2023.
Which countries supply mobile phones to Zambia?
China was the largest supplier with 37% of the value ($5.0 million), followed by the United Arab Emirates (21%) and Hong Kong (19%). The top three together account for 77%, out of 33 supplier countries in total. Kenya grew fastest among the top ten, up 596% on the year.
What is the average import price of mobile phones per kg?
The average declared import value was about $19.30 per kg in 2024, 94% below the world average of $321.06 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of mobile phones to Zambia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $41.2 million in 2017 to $13.5 million in 2024, a fall of 67%. The peak was 2017 at $41.2 million. Over 8 years the average was $21.1 million a year.
Does Zambia also export mobile phones?
Yes. Zambia exported $1.0 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the United Arab Emirates, Malawi and Botswana. On balance Zambia is a net importer of this product, by about $12.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for mobile phones?
The HS code for mobile phones is subheading 8517.12. It sits in HS chapter 85 (electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers, parts and accessories of such articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8517 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX rebuilds Zambia trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
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