Printed matter imports in Zambia: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of printed matter by Zambia reached $3.4 million in 2024 (460 tonnes). Value fell 15% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 9% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2021, at $10.2 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 | $3.4M | 460 t |
| 2023 | $4.0M | 578 t |
| 2022 | $4.0M | 521 t |
| 2021 | $10.2M | 656 t |
| 2020 | $3.7M | 438 t |
| 2019 | $4.3M | 784 t |
| 2018 | $8.1M | 1.7K t |
| 2017 | $6.5M | 1.3K t |
Where Zambia imports printed matter from
South Africa alone supplied 50% of it. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+128% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $1.7M | 50% |
| Germany | $625K | 19% |
| India | $282K | 8.4% |
| Kenya | $277K | 8.2% |
| China | $238K | 7% |
| Greece | $57K | 1.7% |
| United Arab Emirates | $45K | 1.3% |
| United Kingdom | $33K | 1% |
| Senegal | $21K | 0.6% |
| Egypt | $20K | 0.6% |
Product types under HS 4911
| 4911.99 | Printed matter (other types) | 56% |
| 4911.10 | Trade catalogues and advertising materials | 41% |
| 4911.91 | Printed pictures and photographs | 3.6% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 4911.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $7.34 per kg, close to the world average of $7.38.
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 matter imports (HS 4911): 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 4911: Printed matter, n.e.c., including printed pictures and photographs.
Common questions
What is the value of printed matter imported by Zambia?
Zambia imported printed matter worth $3.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 460 tonnes. That ranks it 121st of 224 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 15% on 2023.
Which countries supply printed matter to Zambia?
South Africa was the largest supplier with 50% of the value ($1.7 million), followed by Germany (18%) and India (8%). The top three together account for 77%, out of 52 supplier countries in total. China grew fastest among the top ten, up 128% on the year.
What is the average import price of printed matter per kg?
The average declared import value was about $7.34 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $7.38 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 matter to Zambia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $6.5 million in 2017 to $3.4 million in 2024, a fall of 48%. The peak was 2021 at $10.2 million. Over 8 years the average was $5.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for printed matter?
The HS code for printed matter is heading 4911. In Zambia the largest six-digit codes were 4911.99 (56% of the value) and 4911.10 (41%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For Zambia, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
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