Plastic product imports in Zambia: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, Zambia imported plastic product worth $15.5 million (5.0 thousand tonnes). Value rose 4% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $21.4 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 | $15.5M | 5.0K t |
| 2023 | $14.8M | 4.7K t |
| 2022 | $21.4M | 4.2K t |
| 2021 | $17.8M | 3.7K t |
| 2020 | $15.8M | 3.7K t |
| 2019 | $14.1M | 1.3K t |
| 2018 | $14.3M | 2.8K t |
| 2017 | $13.4M | 1.3K t |
Where Zambia imports plastic product from
Most of the value came from South Africa (48%), China (20%), India (11%). Among the main suppliers, India grew fastest (+67% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $7.5M | 48% |
| China | $3.1M | 20% |
| India | $1.6M | 11% |
| Germany | $567K | 3.7% |
| France | $352K | 2.3% |
| United Arab Emirates | $208K | 1.4% |
| Belgium | $203K | 1.3% |
| United Kingdom | $180K | 1.2% |
| Australia | $161K | 1% |
| Malaysia | $145K | 0.9% |
Product types under HS 3926
| 3926.90 | Plastics: other articles n.e.c. in chapter 39 | 89% |
| 3926.20 | Plastic apparel and clothing | 5.2% |
| 3926.10 | Plastic office supplies | 4.6% |
| 3926.30 | Plastic furniture fittings | 0.6% |
| 3926.40 | Plastic ornaments and statuettes | 0.6% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3926.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.10 per kg, 59% below the world average of $7.50, 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 product exports from Zambia
In 2024, Zambia exported plastic product worth $374 thousand (164 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: DR Congo accounted for 69% of the value.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DR Congo | $260K | 69% |
| Qatar | $40K | 11% |
| Zimbabwe | $23K | 6% |
| Uganda | $9K | 2.3% |
| South Africa | $9K | 2.3% |
| Republic of the Congo | $8K | 2.3% |
| United Arab Emirates | $5K | 1.3% |
| Czech Republic | $4K | 1.1% |
| Malawi | $4K | 1% |
| Saudi Arabia | $4K | 1% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zambia?
The shipment records behind Zambia plastic product imports (HS 3926): 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 3926: Articles of plastics and articles of other materials of heading no. 3901 to 3914, n.e.c. in chapter 39.
Common questions
What is the value of plastic product imported by Zambia?
Zambia imported plastic product worth $15.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 5.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 138th of 226 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 4% on 2023.
Which countries supply plastic product to Zambia?
South Africa was the largest supplier with 48% of the value ($7.5 million), followed by China (20%) and India (11%). The top three together account for 79%, out of 76 supplier countries in total. Malaysia grew fastest among the top ten, up 247% on the year.
What is the average import price of plastic product per kg?
The average declared import value was about $3.10 per kg in 2024, 59% below the world average of $7.50 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 product to Zambia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $13.4 million in 2017 to $15.5 million in 2024, an increase of 16%. The peak was 2022 at $21.4 million. Over 8 years the average was $15.9 million a year.
Does Zambia also export plastic product?
Yes. Zambia exported $374 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the DR Congo, Qatar and Zimbabwe. On balance Zambia is a net importer of this product, by about $15.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for plastic product?
The HS code for plastic product is heading 3926. In Zambia the largest six-digit codes were 3926.90 (89% of the value) and 3926.20 (5%).
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.
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