Plastic bottle imports in Zambia: data, top suppliers and prices
Zambia imported $39.4 million of plastic bottle in 2024 (18.0 thousand tonnes). Value rose 15% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $51.2 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 | $39.4M | 18.0K t |
| 2023 | $34.3M | 14.0K t |
| 2022 | $51.2M | 16.1K t |
| 2021 | $30.3M | 15.3K t |
| 2020 | $24.1M | 5.8K t |
| 2019 | $27.7M | 6.9K t |
| 2018 | $25.5M | 9.8K t |
| 2017 | $23.0M | 6.3K t |
Where Zambia imports plastic bottle from
Most of the value came from South Africa (47%), Zimbabwe (12%), China (11%). Among the main suppliers, Turkey grew fastest (+104% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $18.7M | 47% |
| Zimbabwe | $4.8M | 12% |
| China | $4.4M | 11% |
| India | $3.0M | 7.7% |
| Tanzania | $2.4M | 6.1% |
| Turkey | $1.1M | 2.8% |
| United Arab Emirates | $908K | 2.3% |
| Malawi | $762K | 1.9% |
| Kenya | $712K | 1.8% |
| Uganda | $381K | 1% |
Product types under HS 3923
| 3923.30 | Plastic bottles and carboys | 25% |
| 3923.50 | Plastic caps and closures | 23% |
| 3923.10 | Plastic packing cases | 20% |
| 3923.90 | Plastic packing articles (other) | 15% |
| 3923.29 | Plastic bags (other polymers) | 9.1% |
| 3923.21 | Polyethylene bags | 8% |
| 3923.40 | Plastic spools and bobbins | 0.3% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3923.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.18 per kg, 44% below the world average of $3.90, 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 bottle exports from Zambia
Zambia exported $8.6 million of plastic bottle in 2024 (4.9 thousand tonnes). DR Congo alone took 91% of it.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DR Congo | $7.8M | 91% |
| Zimbabwe | $338K | 3.9% |
| Malawi | $171K | 2% |
| Tanzania | $97K | 1.1% |
| Mozambique | $71K | 0.8% |
| South Africa | $69K | 0.8% |
| Angola | $12K | 0.1% |
| Namibia | $9K | 0.1% |
| Italy | $6K | 0.1% |
| Germany | $4K | 0.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zambia?
The shipment records behind Zambia plastic bottle imports (HS 3923): 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: Plastic articles for the conveyance or packing of goods; stoppers, lids, caps and other closures of plastics.
Common questions
What is the value of plastic bottle imported by Zambia?
Zambia imported plastic bottle worth $39.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 18.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 118th of 225 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 15% on 2023.
Which countries supply plastic bottle to Zambia?
South Africa was the largest supplier with 47% of the value ($18.7 million), followed by Zimbabwe (12%) and China (11%). The top three together account for 71%, out of 57 supplier countries in total. The United Arab Emirates grew fastest among the top ten, up 239% on the year.
What is the average import price of plastic bottle per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.18 per kg in 2024, 44% below the world average of $3.90 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of plastic bottle to Zambia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $23.0 million in 2017 to $39.4 million in 2024, an increase of 71%. The peak was 2022 at $51.2 million. Over 8 years the average was $31.9 million a year.
Does Zambia also export plastic bottle?
Yes. Zambia exported $8.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the DR Congo, Zimbabwe and Malawi. On balance Zambia is a net importer of this product, by about $30.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for plastic bottle?
The HS code for plastic bottle is heading 3923. In Zambia the largest six-digit codes were 3923.30 (25% of the value) and 3923.50 (23%).
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
Plastic bottle product types in Zambia
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