Special purpose vehicles imports in Zambia: data, top suppliers and prices
Zambia imported $23.5 million of special purpose vehicles in 2024 (5.5 thousand tonnes). That is 67% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 7% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2018, at $47.0 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 | $23.5M | 5.5K t |
| 2023 | $14.1M | 3.7K t |
| 2022 | $9.2M | 2.3K t |
| 2021 | $21.3M | 4.0K t |
| 2020 | $12.8M | 1.7K t |
| 2019 | $19.9M | 2.6K t |
| 2018 | $47.0M | 5.4K t |
| 2017 | $38.7M | 4.4K t |
Where Zambia imports special purpose vehicles from
The largest suppliers were South Africa (42%), China (34%), India (10%). Among the main suppliers, South Africa grew fastest (+187% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $10.0M | 43% |
| China | $7.9M | 34% |
| India | $2.4M | 10% |
| Italy | $919K | 3.9% |
| Japan | $835K | 3.6% |
| Tanzania | $454K | 1.9% |
| United Kingdom | $288K | 1.2% |
| Hong Kong | $169K | 0.7% |
| Germany | $135K | 0.6% |
| Namibia | $133K | 0.6% |
Product types under HS 8705
| 8705.90 | Specialized service vehicles | 56% |
| 8705.10 | Crane trucks | 16% |
| 8705.20 | Mobile drilling vehicles | 14% |
| 8705.40 | Concrete mixer trucks | 10% |
| 8705.30 | Fire trucks | 3.8% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8705.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.26 per kg, 40% below the world average of $7.07, 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.
Special purpose vehicles exports from Zambia
Zambia exported $847 thousand of special purpose vehicles in 2024 (472 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were DR Congo (42%), Zimbabwe (27%), Malawi (14%). Among the main buyer markets, Malawi grew fastest (+134% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DR Congo | $357K | 42% |
| Zimbabwe | $228K | 27% |
| Malawi | $119K | 14% |
| Mozambique | $83K | 9.8% |
| Tanzania | $40K | 4.7% |
| South Africa | $20K | 2.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zambia?
The shipment records behind Zambia special purpose vehicles imports (HS 8705): 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 8705: Special purpose motor vehicles; not those for the transport of persons or goods (e.g. breakdown lorries, road sweeper lorries, spraying lorries, mobile workshops, mobile radiological units etc).
Common questions
What is the value of special purpose vehicles imported by Zambia?
Zambia imported special purpose vehicles worth $23.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 5.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 98th of 217 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 67% on 2023.
Which countries supply special purpose vehicles to Zambia?
South Africa was the largest supplier with 42% of the value ($10.0 million), followed by China (34%) and India (10%). The top three together account for 86%, out of 17 supplier countries in total. Namibia grew fastest among the top ten, up 382% on the year.
What is the average import price of special purpose vehicles per kg?
The average declared import value was about $4.26 per kg in 2024, 40% below the world average of $7.07 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of special purpose vehicles to Zambia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $38.7 million in 2017 to $23.5 million in 2024, a fall of 39%. The peak was 2018 at $47.0 million. Over 8 years the average was $23.3 million a year.
Does Zambia also export special purpose vehicles?
Yes. Zambia exported $847 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the DR Congo, Zimbabwe and Malawi. On balance Zambia is a net importer of this product, by about $22.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for special purpose vehicles?
The HS code for special purpose vehicles is heading 8705. In Zambia the largest six-digit codes were 8705.90 (56% of the value) and 8705.10 (16%).
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
World special purpose vehicles trade: top importers and exporters
Special purpose vehicles product types in Zambia
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