Steel drums imports in Zambia: data, top suppliers and prices
Zambia imported $2.9 million of steel drums in 2024 (787 tonnes). That is 83% 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
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2.9M | 787 t |
| 2023 | $1.6M | 572 t |
| 2022 | $2.6M | 774 t |
| 2021 | $1.7M | 580 t |
| 2020 | $1.6M | 1.3K t |
| 2019 | $1.4M | 2.2K t |
| 2018 | $1.7M | 1.6K t |
| 2017 | $1.5M | 2.6K t |
Where Zambia imports steel drums from
Most of the value came from Turkey (29%), China (19%), Kenya (18%). Among the main suppliers, Japan grew fastest (+751% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | $840K | 29% |
| China | $531K | 19% |
| Kenya | $518K | 18% |
| South Africa | $467K | 16% |
| Tanzania | $240K | 8.4% |
| India | $109K | 3.8% |
| Japan | $54K | 1.9% |
| United States | $38K | 1.3% |
| Saudi Arabia | $27K | 0.9% |
| United Kingdom | $12K | 0.4% |
Product types under HS 7310
| 7310.10 | Steel drum | 61% |
| 7310.29 | Steel can (other) | 34% |
| 7310.21 | Tinplate can | 5.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 7310.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.63 per kg, close to the world average of $3.78.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Steel drums exports from Zambia
In 2024, Zambia exported steel drums worth $808 thousand (203 tonnes). Zimbabwe alone took 52% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Malawi grew fastest (+62% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $417K | 52% |
| Malawi | $366K | 45% |
| Mozambique | $8K | 1% |
| DR Congo | $6K | 0.8% |
| South Africa | $5K | 0.6% |
| Uganda | $3K | 0.3% |
| Rwanda | $1K | 0.2% |
| Namibia | $1K | 0.1% |
| Saudi Arabia | $0K | 0% |
| Botswana | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zambia?
The shipment records behind Zambia steel drums imports (HS 7310): 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 7310: Tanks, casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers, for any material (excluding compressed or liquefied gas), of iron or steel, capacity not exceeding 300l, whether or not lined or heat-insulated.
Common questions
What is the value of steel drums imported by Zambia?
Zambia imported steel drums worth $2.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 787 tonnes. That ranks it 127th of 221 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 83% on 2023.
Which countries supply steel drums to Zambia?
Turkey was the largest supplier with 29% of the value ($840 thousand), followed by China (19%) and Kenya (18%). The top three together account for 66%, out of 33 supplier countries in total. Japan grew fastest among the top ten, up 751% on the year.
What is the average import price of steel drums per kg?
The average declared import value was about $3.63 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $3.78 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of steel drums to Zambia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $1.5 million in 2017 to $2.9 million in 2024, an increase of 92%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $1.9 million a year.
Does Zambia also export steel drums?
Yes. Zambia exported $808 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique. On balance Zambia is a net importer of this product, by about $2.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for steel drums?
The HS code for steel drums is heading 7310. In Zambia the largest six-digit codes were 7310.10 (61% of the value) and 7310.29 (34%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX rebuilds Zambia trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
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