Plastic bags (other polymers) imports in Zambia: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, Zambia imported plastic bags (other polymers) worth $3.6 million (1.8 thousand tonnes). Value rose 7% on 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
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Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3.6M | 1.8K t |
| 2023 | $3.4M | 1.7K t |
| 2022 | $3.1M | 1.1K t |
| 2021 | $2.7M | 1.3K t |
| 2020 | $3.6M | 652 t |
| 2019 | $3.4M | 655 t |
| 2018 | $2.9M | 682 t |
| 2017 | $3.9M | 884 t |
Where Zambia imports plastic bags (other polymers) from
One supplier dominates: South Africa accounted for 57% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Malawi grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $2.1M | 57% |
| India | $860K | 24% |
| China | $251K | 7% |
| Malawi | $162K | 4.5% |
| United Arab Emirates | $89K | 2.5% |
| Mauritius | $77K | 2.2% |
| Zimbabwe | $18K | 0.5% |
| Tanzania | $17K | 0.5% |
| South Korea | $13K | 0.4% |
| Austria | $11K | 0.3% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.04 per kg, 53% below the world average of $4.30, 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.
Plastic bags (other polymers) exports from Zambia
Exports of plastic bags (other polymers) by Zambia reached $254 thousand in 2024 (78 tonnes). DR Congo alone took 92% of it.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DR Congo | $233K | 92% |
| Zimbabwe | $12K | 4.8% |
| Namibia | $6K | 2.5% |
| Botswana | $2K | 0.7% |
| Malawi | $0K | 0.1% |
| Singapore | $0K | 0% |
| Netherlands | $0K | 0% |
| Czech Republic | $0K | 0% |
| South Africa | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zambia?
The shipment records behind Zambia plastic bags (other polymers) imports (HS 3923.29): 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 3923.29: Plastics: sacks and bags (including cones), for the conveyance or packing of goods, of plastics other than ethylene polymers.
Common questions
What is the value of plastic bags (other polymers) imported by Zambia?
Zambia imported plastic bags (other polymers) worth $3.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 127th of 223 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 7% on 2023.
Which countries supply plastic bags (other polymers) to Zambia?
South Africa was the largest supplier with 57% of the value ($2.1 million), followed by India (24%) and China (7%). The top three together account for 88%, out of 26 supplier countries in total. The United Arab Emirates grew fastest among the top ten, up 309% on the year.
What is the average import price of plastic bags (other polymers) per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.04 per kg in 2024, 53% below the world average of $4.30 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of plastic bags (other polymers) to Zambia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $3.9 million in 2017 to $3.6 million in 2024, a fall of 8%. The peak was 2017 at $3.9 million. Over 8 years the average was $3.3 million a year.
Does Zambia also export plastic bags (other polymers)?
Yes. Zambia exported $254 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the DR Congo, Zimbabwe and Namibia. On balance Zambia is a net importer of this product, by about $3.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for plastic bags (other polymers)?
The HS code for plastic bags (other polymers) is subheading 3923.29. It sits in HS chapter 39 (plastics and articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3923 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.
Same product, other countries
World plastic bags (other polymers) trade: top importers and exporters
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