Phones and network equipment imports in Zambia: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, Zambia imported phones and network equipment worth $95.7 million (1.7 thousand tonnes). That is 19% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2018, at $132.6 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 | $95.7M | 1.7K t |
| 2023 | $80.6M | 1.5K t |
| 2022 | $70.2M | 1.5K t |
| 2021 | $76.4M | 1.6K t |
| 2020 | $69.4M | 424 t |
| 2019 | $103.7M | 685 t |
| 2018 | $132.6M | 1.2K t |
| 2017 | $115.6M | 670 t |
Where Zambia imports phones and network equipment from
Most of the value came from China (48%), United States (13%), South Africa (9%). Among the main suppliers, United States grew fastest (+224% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $45.5M | 48% |
| United States | $12.4M | 13% |
| South Africa | $9.0M | 9.4% |
| Hong Kong | $7.7M | 8.1% |
| United Arab Emirates | $3.7M | 3.9% |
| Israel | $1.9M | 2% |
| Cyprus | $1.6M | 1.7% |
| Mexico | $1.6M | 1.7% |
| Spain | $1.2M | 1.3% |
| United Kingdom | $1.2M | 1.3% |
Product types under HS 8517
| 8517.62 | Transmission and switching apparatus | 49% |
| 8517.61 | Base stations | 20% |
| 8517.12 | Mobile phones | 14% |
| 8517.69 | Communication apparatus (other) | 11% |
| 8517.70 | Telephone and communication parts | 4.2% |
| 8517.18 | Telephone sets (other) | 0.8% |
| 8517.11 | Cordless telephones | 0.2% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8517.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $55.03 per kg, 77% below the world average of $239.13, 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.
Phones and network equipment exports from Zambia
Zambia exported $2.0 million of phones and network equipment in 2024 (52 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were United Arab Emirates (43%), Malawi (13%), Botswana (9%). Among the main buyer markets, Botswana grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | $849K | 43% |
| Malawi | $255K | 13% |
| Botswana | $176K | 8.9% |
| Mozambique | $119K | 6% |
| DR Congo | $87K | 4.4% |
| Hong Kong | $86K | 4.4% |
| United States | $60K | 3.1% |
| South Africa | $58K | 3% |
| Uganda | $50K | 2.5% |
| Australia | $41K | 2.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zambia?
The shipment records behind Zambia phones and network equipment imports (HS 8517): 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 8517: Telephone sets, including smartphones and other telephones for cellular/wireless networks; other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data (including wired/wireless networks), excluding items of 8443, 8525, 8527, or 8528.
Common questions
What is the value of phones and network equipment imported by Zambia?
Zambia imported phones and network equipment worth $95.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 123rd of 226 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 19% on 2023.
Which countries supply phones and network equipment to Zambia?
China was the largest supplier with 48% of the value ($45.5 million), followed by the United States (13%) and South Africa (9%). The top three together account for 70%, out of 64 supplier countries in total. Cyprus grew fastest among the top ten, up 703% on the year.
What is the average import price of phones and network equipment per kg?
The average declared import value was about $55.03 per kg in 2024, 77% below the world average of $239.13 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of phones and network equipment to Zambia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $115.6 million in 2017 to $95.7 million in 2024, a fall of 17%. The peak was 2018 at $132.6 million. Over 8 years the average was $93.0 million a year.
Does Zambia also export phones and network equipment?
Yes. Zambia exported $2.0 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 $93.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for phones and network equipment?
The HS code for phones and network equipment is heading 8517. In Zambia the largest six-digit codes were 8517.62 (49% of the value) and 8517.61 (20%).
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.
Same product, other countries
World phones and network equipment trade: top importers and exporters
Phones and network equipment 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.