Precious metal scrap exports from Zambia: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, Zambia exported precious metal scrap worth $15.6 million (360 tonnes). Value fell 26% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2021, at $65.3 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $15.6M | 360 t |
| 2023 | $20.9M | 551 t |
| 2022 | $35.3M | 760 t |
| 2021 | $65.3M | 947 t |
| 2020 | $44.2M | 280 t |
| 2019 | $31.4M | 482 t |
| 2018 | $28.8M | 945 t |
| 2017 | $10.8M | 544 t |
Where Zambia exports precious metal scrap to
South Korea alone took 52% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Germany grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea | $8.2M | 52% |
| Switzerland | $6.6M | 42% |
| Germany | $759K | 4.9% |
| United Kingdom | $65K | 0.4% |
| Lithuania | $0K | 0% |
Product types under HS 7112
| 7112.99 | Precious metal scrap (other types) | 100% |
| 7112.92 | Platinum scrap and waste | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 7112.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $43.27 per kg, 62% below the world average of $113.77, 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.
Who is behind these numbers in Zambia?
The shipment records behind Zambia precious metal scrap exports (HS 7112): 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 7112: Waste and scrap of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal; other waste and scrap containing precious metal compounds, of a kind uses principally for the recovery of precious metal other than goods of heading 85.49.
Common questions
What is the value of precious metal scrap exported by Zambia?
Zambia exported precious metal scrap worth $15.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 360 tonnes. That ranks it 70th of 170 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was down 26% on 2023.
Which countries buy precious metal scrap from Zambia?
South Korea was the largest buyer with 52% of the value ($8.2 million), followed by Switzerland (42%) and Germany (5%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 5 buyer countries in total.
What is the average export price of precious metal scrap per kg?
The average declared export value was about $43.27 per kg in 2024, 62% below the world average of $113.77 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have exports of precious metal scrap from Zambia changed since 2017?
Exports went from $10.8 million in 2017 to $15.6 million in 2024, an increase of 44%. The peak was 2021 at $65.3 million. Over 8 years the average was $31.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for precious metal scrap?
The HS code for precious metal scrap is heading 7112. In Zambia the largest six-digit codes were 7112.99 (100% of the value) and 7112.92 (0%).
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 precious metal scrap trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for Zambia
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