Steel shapes imports in Zambia: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of steel shapes by Zambia reached $28.3 million in 2024 (31.9 thousand tonnes). Value fell 15% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 8% 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 | $28.3M | 31.9K t |
| 2023 | $33.1M | 32.7K t |
| 2022 | $28.9M | 25.0K t |
| 2021 | $25.1M | 26.2K t |
| 2020 | $14.3M | 152.3K t |
| 2019 | $17.5M | 45.2K t |
| 2018 | $29.6M | 42.6K t |
| 2017 | $16.2M | 34.1K t |
Where Zambia imports steel shapes from
China alone supplied 51% of it. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+121% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $14.5M | 51% |
| South Africa | $13.3M | 47% |
| Hong Kong | $124K | 0.4% |
| India | $105K | 0.4% |
| Belgium | $104K | 0.4% |
| Peru | $34K | 0.1% |
| United Arab Emirates | $15K | 0.1% |
| Mauritius | $8K | 0% |
| France | $7K | 0% |
| Namibia | $6K | 0% |
Product types under HS 7216
| 7216.33 | Steel H-sections | 36% |
| 7216.10 | Steel sections small | 29% |
| 7216.31 | Steel U-sections | 16% |
| 7216.32 | Steel I-sections | 9% |
| 7216.99 | Steel angles miscellaneous | 2.5% |
| 7216.21 | Steel angles small | 1.7% |
| 7216.40 | Steel angles and T-sections | 1.7% |
| 7216.69 | Forged steel angle | 1.4% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 7216.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.89 per kg, close to the world average of $0.87.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Steel shapes exports from Zambia
Zambia exported $9.8 million of steel shapes in 2024 (11.6 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to DR Congo (37%), Zimbabwe (27%), Malawi (27%). Among the main buyer markets, Zimbabwe grew fastest (+89% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DR Congo | $3.6M | 37% |
| Zimbabwe | $2.7M | 27% |
| Malawi | $2.6M | 27% |
| Botswana | $353K | 3.6% |
| Mozambique | $327K | 3.4% |
| South Africa | $149K | 1.5% |
| Angola | $14K | 0.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zambia?
The shipment records behind Zambia steel shapes imports (HS 7216): 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 7216: Iron or non-alloy steel, angles, shapes and sections.
Common questions
What is the value of steel shapes imported by Zambia?
Zambia imported steel shapes worth $28.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 31.9 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 88th of 221 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 15% on 2023.
Which countries supply steel shapes to Zambia?
China was the largest supplier with 51% of the value ($14.5 million), followed by South Africa (47%) and Hong Kong (0%). The top three together account for 99%, out of 20 supplier countries in total. China grew fastest among the top ten, up 121% on the year.
What is the average import price of steel shapes per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.89 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $0.87 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of steel shapes to Zambia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $16.2 million in 2017 to $28.3 million in 2024, an increase of 74%. The peak was 2023 at $33.1 million. Over 8 years the average was $24.1 million a year.
Does Zambia also export steel shapes?
Yes. Zambia exported $9.8 million 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 $18.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for steel shapes?
The HS code for steel shapes is heading 7216. In Zambia the largest six-digit codes were 7216.33 (36% of the value) and 7216.10 (29%).
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
Steel shapes product types in Zambia
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