Printed books imports in Zambia: data, top suppliers and prices
Zambia imported $11.0 million of printed books in 2024 (2.9 thousand tonnes). That is 9% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 13% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $28.0 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 | $11.0M | 2.9K t |
| 2023 | $12.0M | 2.7K t |
| 2022 | $9.4M | 1.9K t |
| 2021 | $7.8M | 1.4K t |
| 2020 | $7.3M | 659 t |
| 2019 | $11.0M | 897 t |
| 2018 | $17.1M | 2.6K t |
| 2017 | $28.0M | 2.3K t |
Where Zambia imports printed books from
Most of the value came from China (30%), South Africa (26%), India (15%). Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+159% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $3.3M | 30% |
| South Africa | $2.9M | 26% |
| India | $1.6M | 15% |
| United Kingdom | $1.1M | 10% |
| United States | $717K | 6.5% |
| South Korea | $257K | 2.4% |
| Mauritius | $242K | 2.2% |
| Norway | $224K | 2.1% |
| United Arab Emirates | $89K | 0.8% |
| Nigeria | $66K | 0.6% |
Product types under HS 4901
| 4901.99 | Printed matter: books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter n.e.c. in item no. 4901.10 or 4901.91 | 92% |
| 4901.10 | Printed single sheets and leaflets | 7.6% |
| 4901.91 | Printed dictionaries and encyclopaedias | 0.6% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 4901.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.76 per kg, 60% below the world average of $9.39, 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 printed books imports (HS 4901): 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 4901: Printed books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter, whether or not in single sheets.
Common questions
What is the value of printed books imported by Zambia?
Zambia imported printed books worth $11.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.9 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 93rd of 225 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 9% on 2023.
Which countries supply printed books to Zambia?
China was the largest supplier with 30% of the value ($3.3 million), followed by South Africa (26%) and India (15%). The top three together account for 71%, out of 54 supplier countries in total. China grew fastest among the top ten, up 159% on the year.
What is the average import price of printed books per kg?
The average declared import value was about $3.76 per kg in 2024, 60% below the world average of $9.39 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of printed books to Zambia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $28.0 million in 2017 to $11.0 million in 2024, a fall of 61%. The peak was 2017 at $28.0 million. Over 8 years the average was $12.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for printed books?
The HS code for printed books is heading 4901. In Zambia the largest six-digit codes were 4901.99 (92% of the value) and 4901.10 (8%).
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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