Paperboard boxes and cartons imports in Zambia: data, top suppliers and prices
Zambia imported $11.1 million of paperboard boxes and cartons in 2024 (7.1 thousand tonnes). That is 10% less 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 | $11.1M | 7.1K t |
| 2023 | $12.3M | 6.7K t |
| 2022 | $12.7M | 6.7K t |
| 2021 | $12.5M | 6.9K t |
| 2020 | $7.9M | 4.0K t |
| 2019 | $8.8M | 3.9K t |
| 2018 | $10.6M | 6.1K t |
| 2017 | $10.3M | 5.4K t |
Where Zambia imports paperboard boxes and cartons from
One supplier dominates: South Africa accounted for 54% of the value. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+74% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $6.0M | 54% |
| Zimbabwe | $2.5M | 23% |
| China | $1.1M | 9.7% |
| India | $703K | 6.4% |
| Turkey | $228K | 2.1% |
| Kenya | $198K | 1.8% |
| Germany | $91K | 0.8% |
| South Korea | $83K | 0.8% |
| Malaysia | $32K | 0.3% |
| United Arab Emirates | $31K | 0.3% |
Product types under HS 4819
| 4819.20 | Folding cartons (non-corrugated) | 46% |
| 4819.10 | Corrugated cardboard boxes and cartons | 36% |
| 4819.40 | Small paper sacks and bags | 11% |
| 4819.60 | Office storage boxes and filing materials | 3% |
| 4819.30 | Large paper sacks and bags | 2.8% |
| 4819.50 | Paper packing containers and sleeves | 1.3% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 4819.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.57 per kg, 34% below the world average of $2.38, 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.
Paperboard boxes and cartons exports from Zambia
Exports of paperboard boxes and cartons by Zambia reached $9.6 million in 2024 (5.5 thousand tonnes). Malawi alone took 53% of it.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Malawi | $5.1M | 53% |
| DR Congo | $3.7M | 38% |
| Zimbabwe | $607K | 6.3% |
| Mozambique | $138K | 1.4% |
| Kenya | $16K | 0.2% |
| Germany | $10K | 0.1% |
| Botswana | $9K | 0.1% |
| Tanzania | $2K | 0% |
| South Africa | $2K | 0% |
| China | $1K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zambia?
The shipment records behind Zambia paperboard boxes and cartons imports (HS 4819): 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 4819: Cartons, boxes, cases, bags and the like, of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or fibres; box files, letter trays and the like, of paper or paperboard, of a kind used in offices, shops or the like.
Common questions
What is the value of paperboard boxes and cartons imported by Zambia?
Zambia imported paperboard boxes and cartons worth $11.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 7.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 132nd of 225 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 10% on 2023.
Which countries supply paperboard boxes and cartons to Zambia?
South Africa was the largest supplier with 54% of the value ($6.0 million), followed by Zimbabwe (23%) and China (10%). The top three together account for 87%, out of 33 supplier countries in total. Malaysia grew fastest among the top ten, up 892% on the year.
What is the average import price of paperboard boxes and cartons per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.57 per kg in 2024, 34% below the world average of $2.38 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of paperboard boxes and cartons to Zambia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $10.3 million in 2017 to $11.1 million in 2024, an increase of 7%. The peak was 2022 at $12.7 million. Over 8 years the average was $10.8 million a year.
Does Zambia also export paperboard boxes and cartons?
Yes. Zambia exported $9.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Malawi, the DR Congo and Zimbabwe. That compares with imports of $11.1 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for paperboard boxes and cartons?
The HS code for paperboard boxes and cartons is heading 4819. In Zambia the largest six-digit codes were 4819.20 (46% of the value) and 4819.10 (36%).
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
World paperboard boxes and cartons trade: top importers and exporters
Paperboard boxes and cartons product types in Zambia
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.