Plastic bottle imports in Zimbabwe: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, Zimbabwe imported plastic bottle worth $44.3 million (19.5 thousand tonnes). That is 4% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2018, at $59.9 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 | $44.3M | 19.5K t |
| 2023 | $42.4M | 16.6K t |
| 2022 | $42.5M | 16.9K t |
| 2021 | $39.9M | 15.8K t |
| 2020 | $23.8M | 9.9K t |
| 2019 | $25.6M | 8.3K t |
| 2018 | $59.9M | 20.1K t |
| 2017 | $27.6M | 9.6K t |
Where Zimbabwe imports plastic bottle from
South Africa alone supplied 70% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $30.8M | 70% |
| China | $4.5M | 10% |
| India | $3.2M | 7.1% |
| Egypt | $777K | 1.8% |
| Switzerland | $683K | 1.5% |
| United Arab Emirates | $618K | 1.4% |
| Botswana | $490K | 1.1% |
| Germany | $489K | 1.1% |
| Hungary | $370K | 0.8% |
| Zambia | $338K | 0.8% |
Product types under HS 3923
| 3923.30 | Plastic bottles and carboys | 25% |
| 3923.90 | Plastic packing articles (other) | 24% |
| 3923.50 | Plastic caps and closures | 23% |
| 3923.10 | Plastic packing cases | 16% |
| 3923.21 | Polyethylene bags | 8.5% |
| 3923.29 | Plastic bags (other polymers) | 4.3% |
| 3923.40 | Plastic spools and bobbins | 0.2% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3923.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.28 per kg, 42% below the world average of $3.90, 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.
Plastic bottle exports from Zimbabwe
Exports of plastic bottle by Zimbabwe reached $5.3 million in 2024 (3.1 thousand tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Zambia accounted for 91% of the value.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $4.8M | 91% |
| Mozambique | $247K | 4.7% |
| Malawi | $123K | 2.3% |
| Namibia | $62K | 1.2% |
| South Africa | $46K | 0.9% |
| Botswana | $6K | 0.1% |
| China | $5K | 0.1% |
| Tanzania | $5K | 0.1% |
| Italy | $2K | 0% |
| Republic of the Congo | $1K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zimbabwe?
The shipment records behind Zimbabwe plastic bottle imports (HS 3923): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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 3923: Plastic articles for the conveyance or packing of goods; stoppers, lids, caps and other closures of plastics.
Common questions
What is the value of plastic bottle imported by Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe imported plastic bottle worth $44.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 19.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 113th of 225 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 4% on 2023.
Which countries supply plastic bottle to Zimbabwe?
South Africa was the largest supplier with 70% of the value ($30.8 million), followed by China (10%) and India (7%). The top three together account for 87%, out of 49 supplier countries in total. Switzerland grew fastest among the top ten, up 164% on the year.
What is the average import price of plastic bottle per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.28 per kg in 2024, 42% below the world average of $3.90 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of plastic bottle to Zimbabwe changed since 2017?
Imports went from $27.6 million in 2017 to $44.3 million in 2024, an increase of 60%. The peak was 2018 at $59.9 million. Over 8 years the average was $38.2 million a year.
Does Zimbabwe also export plastic bottle?
Yes. Zimbabwe exported $5.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi. On balance Zimbabwe is a net importer of this product, by about $39.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for plastic bottle?
The HS code for plastic bottle is heading 3923. In Zimbabwe the largest six-digit codes were 3923.30 (25% of the value) and 3923.90 (24%).
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 Zimbabwe. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
Plastic bottle product types in Zimbabwe
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