Soap imports in Zambia: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, Zambia imported soap worth $32.8 million (24.5 thousand tonnes). That is 22% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 10% a year on average.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
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Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $32.8M | 24.5K t |
| 2023 | $27.0M | 17.6K t |
| 2022 | $24.5M | 15.4K t |
| 2021 | $19.4M | 13.3K t |
| 2020 | $18.3M | 30.4K t |
| 2019 | $20.2M | 40.8K t |
| 2018 | $22.0M | 36.5K t |
| 2017 | $16.8M | 45.4K t |
Where Zambia imports soap from
South Africa alone supplied 71% of it. Among the main suppliers, Zimbabwe grew fastest (+157% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $23.1M | 71% |
| Zimbabwe | $2.8M | 8.7% |
| Kenya | $2.7M | 8.3% |
| Cote d'Ivoire | $1.6M | 4.9% |
| Tanzania | $1.6M | 4.8% |
| Germany | $266K | 0.8% |
| Indonesia | $140K | 0.4% |
| India | $84K | 0.3% |
| China | $65K | 0.2% |
| United Kingdom | $49K | 0.2% |
Product types under HS 3401
| 3401.11 | Toilet bar soap | 59% |
| 3401.19 | Industrial bar soap | 18% |
| 3401.20 | Liquid and cream soap | 12% |
| 3401.30 | Liquid skin wash | 11% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3401.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.34 per kg, 42% below the world average of $2.31, 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.
Soap exports from Zambia
Zambia exported $22.6 million of soap in 2024 (16.9 thousand tonnes). One buyer market dominates: DR Congo accounted for 90% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Malawi grew fastest (+121% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DR Congo | $20.4M | 90% |
| Malawi | $1.1M | 5% |
| Zimbabwe | $1.0M | 4.6% |
| Mozambique | $52K | 0.2% |
| South Africa | $35K | 0.2% |
| Czech Republic | $6K | 0% |
| Spain | $3K | 0% |
| Switzerland | $1K | 0% |
| Burundi | $1K | 0% |
| Austria | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zambia?
The shipment records behind Zambia soap imports (HS 3401): 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 3401: Soap; organic surface-active preparations used as soap, skin washing, in bars, cakes, moulded pieces, shapes, liquid or cream, containing soap or not; for retail, paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent.
Common questions
What is the value of soap imported by Zambia?
Zambia imported soap worth $32.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 24.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 84th of 225 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 22% on 2023.
Which countries supply soap to Zambia?
South Africa was the largest supplier with 71% of the value ($23.1 million), followed by Zimbabwe (9%) and Kenya (8%). The top three together account for 88%, out of 40 supplier countries in total. Zimbabwe grew fastest among the top ten, up 157% on the year.
What is the average import price of soap per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.34 per kg in 2024, 42% below the world average of $2.31 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of soap to Zambia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $16.8 million in 2017 to $32.8 million in 2024, an increase of 94%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $22.6 million a year.
Does Zambia also export soap?
Yes. Zambia exported $22.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the DR Congo, Malawi and Zimbabwe. On balance Zambia is a net importer of this product, by about $10.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for soap?
The HS code for soap is heading 3401. In Zambia the largest six-digit codes were 3401.11 (59% of the value) and 3401.19 (18%).
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.
Same product, other countries
Soap product types in Zambia
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