Smoking tobacco imports in Zambia: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of smoking tobacco by Zambia reached $9.8 million in 2024 (1.9 thousand tonnes). That is 11% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 63% a year on average.
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 | $9.8M | 1.9K t |
| 2023 | $8.8M | 1.8K t |
| 2022 | $7.9M | 2.1K t |
| 2021 | $8.8M | 2.1K t |
| 2020 | $6.7M | 1.4K t |
| 2019 | $2.9M | 319 t |
| 2018 | $2.8M | 332 t |
| 2017 | $315K | 18 t |
Where Zambia imports smoking tobacco from
Kenya alone supplied 76% of it. Among the main suppliers, Zimbabwe grew fastest (+78% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya | $7.4M | 76% |
| Zimbabwe | $2.3M | 24% |
| South Africa | $53K | 0.6% |
| South Korea | $3K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $5.08 per kg, 63% below the world average of $13.85, 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 smoking tobacco imports (HS 2403.19): 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 2403.19: Tobacco: smoking, other than water pipe tobacco, whether or not containing tobacco substitutes in any proportion.
Common questions
What is the value of smoking tobacco imported by Zambia?
Zambia imported smoking tobacco worth $9.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.9 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 56th of 198 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 11% on 2023.
Which countries supply smoking tobacco to Zambia?
Kenya was the largest supplier with 76% of the value ($7.4 million), followed by Zimbabwe (24%) and South Africa (1%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 4 supplier countries in total. Zimbabwe grew fastest among the top ten, up 78% on the year.
What is the average import price of smoking tobacco per kg?
The average declared import value was about $5.08 per kg in 2024, 63% below the world average of $13.85 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of smoking tobacco to Zambia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $315 thousand in 2017 to $9.8 million in 2024. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $6.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for smoking tobacco?
The HS code for smoking tobacco is subheading 2403.19. It sits in HS chapter 24 (tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes; products, whether or not containing nicotine, intended for inhalation without combustion; other nicotine containing products intended for the intake of nicotine into the human body). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2403 page.
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.
Same product, other countries
More trade data for Zambia
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