Trade lane

What Kuwait buys from China.

Kuwait imported USD 6.9bn of manufactured and processed goods from China in 2024, up 12 per cent on 2022. That is 24 per cent of everything Kuwait imported in these lines, and China is its largest source. Below: the 50 largest lines, the fastest growing, where China dominates, and where another country ships the same line for less a tonne.

Trade year 2024, compared with 2022. Unit values are customs values per tonne, declared at the border, not product prices.

USD 6.9bnfrom China in 2024 (USD 6.2bn in 2022)
24 per centof Kuwait's imports in these lines, USD 29bn from every source
660product lines worth USD 1m or more on this lane
#1China's rank among Kuwait's sources
The top 50

The largest lines on the lane, by 2024 value.

Each line shows what Kuwait paid China for it at the border, China's share of everything Kuwait imported in that line, how it changed since 2022, and the customs unit value per tonne where the weight is recorded. Together they are 58 per cent of the lane.

  1. 1

    Telephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networksHS 851713

    Share of Kuwait's imports88 per cent, 29 source countries
    Changeup 160 per cent on 2022 (USD 463m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1.5m a tonne, 805 tonnes
    USD 1.2bnin 2024
  2. 2

    Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000ccHS 870323

    Share of Kuwait's imports37 per cent, 37 source countries
    Changeup 45 per cent on 2022 (USD 371m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 11,081 a tonne, 48,610 tonnes
    USD 539min 2024
  3. 3

    T-shirts, singlets and other vests: of cotton, knitted or crochetedHS 610910

    Share of Kuwait's imports72 per cent, 113 source countries
    Changeup 104 per cent on 2022 (USD 110m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 10,052 a tonne, 22,371 tonnes
    USD 225min 2024
  4. 4

    Iron or steel (excluding cast iron or stainless steel): seamless, casing and tubing, of a kind used in drilling for oil or gasHS 730429

    Share of Kuwait's imports52 per cent, 20 source countries
    Changedown 21 per cent on 2022 (USD 226m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,810 a tonne, 99,181 tonnes
    USD 179min 2024
  5. 5

    Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500ccHS 870322

    Share of Kuwait's imports16 per cent, 29 source countries
    Changeup 140 per cent on 2022 (USD 59m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 9,446 a tonne, 15,020 tonnes
    USD 142min 2024
  6. 6

    Automatic data processing machines: portable, weighing not more than 10kg, consisting of at least a central processing unit, a keyboard and a displayHS 847130

    Share of Kuwait's imports80 per cent, 52 source countries
    Changedown 40 per cent on 2022 (USD 234m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 421,410 a tonne, 332 tonnes
    USD 140min 2024
  7. 7

    Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3000ccHS 870324

    Share of Kuwait's imports8 per cent, 34 source countries
    Changeup 74 per cent on 2022 (USD 79m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 10,969 a tonne, 12,498 tonnes
    USD 137min 2024
  8. 8

    Iron or steel (excluding cast iron or stainless steel): seamless, line pipe of a kind used for oil or gas pipelinesHS 730419

    Share of Kuwait's imports96 per cent, 18 source countries
    Changedown 56 per cent on 2022 (USD 192m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,047 a tonne, 81,463 tonnes
    USD 85min 2024
  9. 9

    Communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other...HS 851762

    Share of Kuwait's imports57 per cent, 61 source countries
    Changedown 54 per cent on 2022 (USD 175m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 166,788 a tonne, 485 tonnes
    USD 81min 2024
  10. 10

    Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on motor cars (including station wagons and racing cars)HS 401110

    Share of Kuwait's imports49 per cent, 38 source countries
    Changeup 28 per cent on 2022 (USD 53m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 2,581 a tonne, 26,275 tonnes
    USD 68min 2024
  11. 11

    Products containing nicotine, other than tobacco or reconstituted tobacco, intended for inhalation without combustionHS 240412

    Share of Kuwait's imports99 per cent, 5 source countries
    Changelevel with 2022 (USD 67m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 47,642 a tonne, 1,405 tonnes
    USD 67min 2024
  12. 12

    Air conditioning machines: comprising a motor-driven fan and elements for changing the temperature and humidity, of a kind designed to be fixed to a window, wall...HS 841510

    Share of Kuwait's imports77 per cent, 21 source countries
    Changedown 26 per cent on 2022 (USD 76m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 5,338 a tonne, 10,582 tonnes
    USD 56min 2024
  13. 13

    Taps, cocks, valves and similar appliances: for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vats or the like, including thermostatically controlled valvesHS 848180

    Share of Kuwait's imports35 per cent, 65 source countries
    Changeup 41 per cent on 2022 (USD 35m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 9,222 a tonne, 5,360 tonnes
    USD 49min 2024
  14. 14

    Boring and sinking machinery: not self-propelledHS 843049

    Share of Kuwait's imports95 per cent, 19 source countries
    Changefrom USD 827k in 2022
    Unit valueUSD 18,615 a tonne, 2,497 tonnes
    USD 46min 2024
  15. 15

    Boring or sinking machinery: parts for boring or sinking machinery of subheading 8430.41 or 8430.49HS 843143

    Share of Kuwait's imports21 per cent, 63 source countries
    Changeup 113 per cent on 2022 (USD 21m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 8,177 a tonne, 5,384 tonnes
    USD 44min 2024
  16. 16

    Reception apparatus for television, whether or not incorporating radio-broadcast receivers or sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus: incorporating a colour...HS 852872

    Share of Kuwait's imports64 per cent, 24 source countries
    Changedown 9 per cent on 2022 (USD 48m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 19,785 a tonne, 2,212 tonnes
    USD 44min 2024
  17. 17

    Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys: dolls' carriages: dolls: other toys: reduced-size (scale) models and similar recreational models, working or...HS 950300

    Share of Kuwait's imports80 per cent, 80 source countries
    Changedown 9 per cent on 2022 (USD 48m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 7,974 a tonne, 5,487 tonnes
    USD 44min 2024
  18. 18

    Coats: women's or girls' overcoats, car-coats, capes, anoraks, wind-jackets and similar articles, of cotton, knitted or crocheted (excluding those of heading no. 6104)HS 610220

    Share of Kuwait's imports53 per cent, 71 source countries
    Changeup 206 per cent on 2022 (USD 13m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 41,338 a tonne, 984 tonnes
    USD 41min 2024
  19. 19

    Electrical static convertersHS 850440

    Share of Kuwait's imports54 per cent, 75 source countries
    Changeup 67 per cent on 2022 (USD 24m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 31,016 a tonne, 1,285 tonnes
    USD 40min 2024
  20. 20

    Electrical machines and apparatus: electronic cigarettes and similar personal electric vaporising devicesHS 854340

    Share of Kuwait's imports88 per cent, 10 source countries
    Changedown 43 per cent on 2022 (USD 65m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 49,727 a tonne, 749 tonnes
    USD 37min 2024
  21. 21

    Telephone sets: other than smartphones, for cellular or other wireless networksHS 851714

    Share of Kuwait's imports61 per cent, 28 source countries
    Changedown 69 per cent on 2022 (USD 110m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1.2m a tonne, 30 tonnes
    USD 34min 2024
  22. 22

    Vehicles: public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or...HS 870210

    Share of Kuwait's imports24 per cent, 13 source countries
    Changeup 4 per cent on 2022 (USD 31m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 5,361 a tonne, 6,078 tonnes
    USD 33min 2024
  23. 23

    Headphones and earphones, whether or not combined with a microphone, and sets consisting of a microphone and one or more loudspeakersHS 851830

    Share of Kuwait's imports58 per cent, 43 source countries
    Changedown 5 per cent on 2022 (USD 34m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 40,815 a tonne, 797 tonnes
    USD 33min 2024
  24. 24

    Boring or sinking machinery: self-propelled, n.e.c. in heading no. 8430HS 843041

    Share of Kuwait's imports90 per cent, 11 source countries
    Changeup 62 per cent on 2022 (USD 20m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 3,656 a tonne, 8,703 tonnes
    USD 32min 2024
  25. 25

    Cases and containers: trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases, executive-cases, brief-cases, school satchels and similar containers, with outer surface of plastics or of...HS 420212

    Share of Kuwait's imports82 per cent, 50 source countries
    Changeup 8 per cent on 2022 (USD 29m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 31min 2024
  26. 26

    Seats: with wooden frames, upholstered, (excluding medical, surgical, dental, veterinary or barber furniture)HS 940161

    Share of Kuwait's imports56 per cent, 58 source countries
    Changedown 6 per cent on 2022 (USD 33m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 4,966 a tonne, 6,159 tonnes
    USD 31min 2024
  27. 27

    Plastics: other articles n.e.c. in chapter 39HS 392690

    Share of Kuwait's imports40 per cent, 94 source countries
    Changedown 39 per cent on 2022 (USD 49m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 6,573 a tonne, 4,613 tonnes
    USD 30min 2024
  28. 28

    Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage exceeding 1000 voltsHS 854460

    Share of Kuwait's imports16 per cent, 40 source countries
    Changeup 6 per cent on 2022 (USD 29m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 5,660 a tonne, 5,357 tonnes
    USD 30min 2024
  29. 29

    Plywood: with sheets of wood only: not bamboo: each ply 6mm or less, with at least one outer ply of alder, ash, beech, birch, cherry, chestnut, elm, eucalyptus...HS 441233

    Share of Kuwait's imports92 per cent, 12 source countries
    Changeup 15 per cent on 2022 (USD 23m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 524 a tonne, 50,950 tonnes
    USD 27min 2024
  30. 30

    Machinery: parts and accessories of the machines of item no. 8470.30. 8470.50 or 8470.90 (other than covers, carrying cases and the like)HS 847329

    Share of Kuwait's imports98 per cent, 27 source countries
    Changeup 355 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 26min 2024
  31. 31

    Plastics: tableware and kitchenwareHS 392410

    Share of Kuwait's imports43 per cent, 65 source countries
    Changedown 21 per cent on 2022 (USD 33m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 3,144 a tonne, 8,331 tonnes
    USD 26min 2024
  32. 32

    Vehicle parts and accessories: n.e.c. in heading no. 8708HS 870899

    Share of Kuwait's imports16 per cent, 86 source countries
    Changedown 25 per cent on 2022 (USD 35m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 8,489 a tonne, 3,084 tonnes
    USD 26min 2024
  33. 33

    Aluminium: plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm, alloys, rectangular (including square)HS 760612

    Share of Kuwait's imports65 per cent, 22 source countries
    Changedown 53 per cent on 2022 (USD 56m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 3,146 a tonne, 8,251 tonnes
    USD 26min 2024
  34. 34

    Furniture: wooden, other than for office, kitchen or bedroom useHS 940360

    Share of Kuwait's imports32 per cent, 68 source countries
    Changeup 26 per cent on 2022 (USD 20m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 3,258 a tonne, 7,759 tonnes
    USD 25min 2024
  35. 35

    Telephone sets n.e.c. in item no. 8517.1HS 851718

    Share of Kuwait's imports76 per cent, 34 source countries
    Changefrom USD 23k in 2022
    Unit valueUSD 451,045 a tonne, 54 tonnes
    USD 24min 2024
  36. 36

    Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, cylinder capacity not over 1000ccHS 870321

    Share of Kuwait's imports38 per cent, 23 source countries
    Changeup 171 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 10,579 a tonne, 2,079 tonnes
    USD 22min 2024
  37. 37

    Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on buses or lorriesHS 401120

    Share of Kuwait's imports44 per cent, 28 source countries
    Changeup 25 per cent on 2022 (USD 18m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,738 a tonne, 12,562 tonnes
    USD 22min 2024
  38. 38

    Furniture: metal, other than for office useHS 940320

    Share of Kuwait's imports48 per cent, 62 source countries
    Changedown 10 per cent on 2022 (USD 24m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 3,542 a tonne, 6,025 tonnes
    USD 21min 2024
  39. 39

    Dresses: women's or girls', of textile materials n.e.c. in item no. 6204.4 (not knitted or crocheted)HS 620449

    Share of Kuwait's imports28 per cent, 130 source countries
    Changeup 57 per cent on 2022 (USD 13m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 95,147 a tonne, 209 tonnes
    USD 20min 2024
  40. 40

    Iron or non-alloy steel: in coils, without patterns in relief, flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, of a thickness of less than 3mmHS 720839

    Share of Kuwait's imports79 per cent, 5 source countries
    Changeup 4 per cent on 2022 (USD 19m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 20min 2024
  41. 41

    Boards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases: for electric control or the distribution of electricity, (other than switching apparatus of heading no. 8517), for a...HS 853720

    Share of Kuwait's imports48 per cent, 45 source countries
    Changefrom USD 3m in 2022
    Unit valueUSD 16,508 a tonne, 1,199 tonnes
    USD 20min 2024
  42. 42

    Iron or non-alloy steel: (not in coils), flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, without patterns in relief, of a thickness exceeding 10mmHS 720851

    Share of Kuwait's imports86 per cent, 13 source countries
    Changeup 94 per cent on 2022 (USD 10m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 765 a tonne, 25,502 tonnes
    USD 20min 2024
  43. 43

    Vehicles: crane lorriesHS 870510

    Share of Kuwait's imports72 per cent, 5 source countries
    Changeup 139 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 3,302 a tonne, 5,900 tonnes
    USD 19min 2024
  44. 44

    Footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plasticsHS 640299

    Share of Kuwait's imports55 per cent, 56 source countries
    Changedown 44 per cent on 2022 (USD 35m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 11,492 a tonne, 1,688 tonnes
    USD 19min 2024
  45. 45

    Steel, alloy: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, in coilsHS 722530

    Share of Kuwait's imports98 per cent, 4 source countries
    Changefrom USD 3m in 2022
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 19min 2024
  46. 46

    Footwear: (other than sportswear), with outer soles of rubber or plastics and uppers of textile materialsHS 640419

    Share of Kuwait's imports42 per cent, 71 source countries
    Changedown 35 per cent on 2022 (USD 29m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 16,367 a tonne, 1,158 tonnes
    USD 19min 2024
  47. 47

    Iron or steel: articles n.e.c. in heading 7326HS 732690

    Share of Kuwait's imports27 per cent, 81 source countries
    Changeup 4 per cent on 2022 (USD 18m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 5,599 a tonne, 3,383 tonnes
    USD 19min 2024
  48. 48

    Machinery: parts of machines handling earth, minerals or ores and n.e.c. in heading no. 8431HS 843149

    Share of Kuwait's imports41 per cent, 91 source countries
    Changeup 64 per cent on 2022 (USD 12m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 15,826 a tonne, 1,195 tonnes
    USD 19min 2024
  49. 49

    Front-end shovel loadersHS 842951

    Share of Kuwait's imports75 per cent, 16 source countries
    Changeup 29 per cent on 2022 (USD 14m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 3,656 a tonne, 5,101 tonnes
    USD 19min 2024
  50. 50

    Buildings: prefabricated, not of woodHS 940690

    Share of Kuwait's imports64 per cent, 28 source countries
    Changefrom USD 2m in 2022
    Unit valueUSD 2,243 a tonne, 8,260 tonnes
    USD 19min 2024
Fastest growing

The lines that grew most since 2022.

Lines worth at least USD 5m in 2022, ranked by growth to 2024 in current dollars. A fast rise can be a new product, a shift away from another source, or a price change; the record does not say which.

  1. Machinery: parts and accessories of the machines of item no. 8470.30. 8470.50 or 8470.90 (other than covers, carrying cases and the like)HS 847329USD 26m in 2024, up 355 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). China supplies 98 per cent of the line.
  2. Coats: women's or girls' overcoats, car-coats, capes, anoraks, wind-jackets and similar articles, of cotton, knitted or crocheted (excluding those of heading no. 6104)HS 610220USD 41m in 2024, up 206 per cent on 2022 (USD 13m in 2022). China supplies 53 per cent of the line.
  3. Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, cylinder capacity not over 1000ccHS 870321USD 22m in 2024, up 171 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022). China supplies 38 per cent of the line.
  4. Telephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networksHS 851713USD 1.2bn in 2024, up 160 per cent on 2022 (USD 463m in 2022). China supplies 88 per cent of the line.
  5. Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, for transport of goods, (of a g.v.w. not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in item no 8704.1HS 870431USD 17m in 2024, up 160 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). China supplies 5 per cent of the line.
  6. Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500ccHS 870322USD 142m in 2024, up 140 per cent on 2022 (USD 59m in 2022). China supplies 16 per cent of the line.
  7. Vehicles: crane lorriesHS 870510USD 19m in 2024, up 139 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022). China supplies 72 per cent of the line.
  8. Aluminium: structures (excluding prefabricated buildings of heading no. 9406) and parts of structures, n.e.c. in heading no. 7610, plates, rods, profiles, tubes and the...HS 761090USD 16m in 2024, up 132 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022). China supplies 62 per cent of the line.
  9. Boring or sinking machinery: parts for boring or sinking machinery of subheading 8430.41 or 8430.49HS 843143USD 44m in 2024, up 113 per cent on 2022 (USD 21m in 2022). China supplies 21 per cent of the line.
  10. T-shirts, singlets and other vests: of cotton, knitted or crochetedHS 610910USD 225m in 2024, up 104 per cent on 2022 (USD 110m in 2022). China supplies 72 per cent of the line.
  11. Iron or non-alloy steel: (not in coils), flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, without patterns in relief, of a thickness exceeding 10mmHS 720851USD 20m in 2024, up 94 per cent on 2022 (USD 10m in 2022). China supplies 86 per cent of the line.
  12. Mechanical shovels, excavators and shovel loaders: with a 360 degree revolving super structureHS 842952USD 10m in 2024, up 86 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022). China supplies 29 per cent of the line.
  13. Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3000ccHS 870324USD 137m in 2024, up 74 per cent on 2022 (USD 79m in 2022). China supplies 8 per cent of the line.
  14. Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil, tape, strip, other flat shapes thereof, self-adhesive, other than in rolls of a width not exceeding 20cmHS 391990USD 10m in 2024, up 74 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). China supplies 34 per cent of the line.
  15. Medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances: n.e.c. in heading no. 9018HS 901890USD 11m in 2024, up 73 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). China supplies 7 per cent of the line.
  16. Refrigerating or freezing equipment: n.e.c. in heading no. 8418HS 841869USD 14m in 2024, up 72 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022). China supplies 27 per cent of the line.
  17. Electrical static convertersHS 850440USD 40m in 2024, up 67 per cent on 2022 (USD 24m in 2022). China supplies 54 per cent of the line.
  18. Iron or non-alloy steel: (not in coils), flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, without patterns in relief, of a thickness of 4.75mm or more but not...HS 720852USD 18m in 2024, up 66 per cent on 2022 (USD 11m in 2022). China supplies 92 per cent of the line.
  19. Machinery: parts of machines handling earth, minerals or ores and n.e.c. in heading no. 8431HS 843149USD 19m in 2024, up 64 per cent on 2022 (USD 12m in 2022). China supplies 41 per cent of the line.
  20. Luminaires and light fittings: electric, designed for use solely with light-emitting diode (LED) light sourcesHS 940542USD 13m in 2024, up 63 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022). China supplies 74 per cent of the line.
Where China dominates

Lines where China supplies 60 per cent or more.

The largest lines worth USD 1m or more where China ships at least 60 per cent of what Kuwait imports. This is supply concentration: how much of the line depends on one source country.

  1. Telephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networksHS 85171388 per cent of Kuwait's imports of the line, USD 1.2bn; 29 source countries in all.
  2. T-shirts, singlets and other vests: of cotton, knitted or crochetedHS 61091072 per cent of Kuwait's imports of the line, USD 225m; 113 source countries in all.
  3. Automatic data processing machines: portable, weighing not more than 10kg, consisting of at least a central processing unit, a keyboard and a displayHS 84713080 per cent of Kuwait's imports of the line, USD 140m; 52 source countries in all.
  4. Iron or steel (excluding cast iron or stainless steel): seamless, line pipe of a kind used for oil or gas pipelinesHS 73041996 per cent of Kuwait's imports of the line, USD 85m; 18 source countries in all.
  5. Products containing nicotine, other than tobacco or reconstituted tobacco, intended for inhalation without combustionHS 24041299 per cent of Kuwait's imports of the line, USD 67m; 5 source countries in all.
  6. Air conditioning machines: comprising a motor-driven fan and elements for changing the temperature and humidity, of a kind designed to be fixed to a window, wall...HS 84151077 per cent of Kuwait's imports of the line, USD 56m; 21 source countries in all.
  7. Boring and sinking machinery: not self-propelledHS 84304995 per cent of Kuwait's imports of the line, USD 46m; 19 source countries in all.
  8. Reception apparatus for television, whether or not incorporating radio-broadcast receivers or sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus: incorporating a colour...HS 85287264 per cent of Kuwait's imports of the line, USD 44m; 24 source countries in all.
  9. Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys: dolls' carriages: dolls: other toys: reduced-size (scale) models and similar recreational models, working or...HS 95030080 per cent of Kuwait's imports of the line, USD 44m; 80 source countries in all.
  10. Electrical machines and apparatus: electronic cigarettes and similar personal electric vaporising devicesHS 85434088 per cent of Kuwait's imports of the line, USD 37m; 10 source countries in all.
  11. Telephone sets: other than smartphones, for cellular or other wireless networksHS 85171461 per cent of Kuwait's imports of the line, USD 34m; 28 source countries in all.
  12. Boring or sinking machinery: self-propelled, n.e.c. in heading no. 8430HS 84304190 per cent of Kuwait's imports of the line, USD 32m; 11 source countries in all.
  13. Cases and containers: trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases, executive-cases, brief-cases, school satchels and similar containers, with outer surface of plastics or of...HS 42021282 per cent of Kuwait's imports of the line, USD 31m; 50 source countries in all.
  14. Plywood: with sheets of wood only: not bamboo: each ply 6mm or less, with at least one outer ply of alder, ash, beech, birch, cherry, chestnut, elm, eucalyptus...HS 44123392 per cent of Kuwait's imports of the line, USD 27m; 12 source countries in all.
  15. Machinery: parts and accessories of the machines of item no. 8470.30. 8470.50 or 8470.90 (other than covers, carrying cases and the like)HS 84732998 per cent of Kuwait's imports of the line, USD 26m; 27 source countries in all.
  16. Aluminium: plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm, alloys, rectangular (including square)HS 76061265 per cent of Kuwait's imports of the line, USD 26m; 22 source countries in all.
  17. Telephone sets n.e.c. in item no. 8517.1HS 85171876 per cent of Kuwait's imports of the line, USD 24m; 34 source countries in all.
  18. Iron or non-alloy steel: in coils, without patterns in relief, flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, of a thickness of less than 3mmHS 72083979 per cent of Kuwait's imports of the line, USD 20m; 5 source countries in all.
  19. Iron or non-alloy steel: (not in coils), flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, without patterns in relief, of a thickness exceeding 10mmHS 72085186 per cent of Kuwait's imports of the line, USD 20m; 13 source countries in all.
  20. Vehicles: crane lorriesHS 87051072 per cent of Kuwait's imports of the line, USD 19m; 5 source countries in all.
Another source, lower unit value

Where another country ships the same line for at least 20 per cent less a tonne.

Lines worth USD 5m or more where China's unit value is recorded and another country also ships at least USD 5m of the same line to Kuwait at a unit value at least 20 per cent lower. The largest such source is named. The same heading can hold different grades, so a lower figure is a question to ask, not a like-for-like price.

  1. Telephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networksHS 851713China: USD 1.2bn at USD 1.5m a tonne. India: USD 58m (4 per cent of the line) at USD 992,854 a tonne, 34 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 1.5m a tonne.
  2. Iron or steel (excluding cast iron or stainless steel): seamless, casing and tubing, of a kind used in drilling for oil or gasHS 730429China: USD 179m at USD 1,810 a tonne. Japan: USD 15m (5 per cent of the line) at USD 1,378 a tonne, 24 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 1,851 a tonne.
  3. Automatic data processing machines: portable, weighing not more than 10kg, consisting of at least a central processing unit, a keyboard and a displayHS 847130China: USD 140m at USD 421,410 a tonne. United Arab Emirates: USD 17m (10 per cent of the line) at USD 135,124 a tonne, 68 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 335,359 a tonne.
  4. Plastics: tableware and kitchenwareHS 392410China: USD 26m at USD 3,144 a tonne. Saudi Arabia: USD 10m (17 per cent of the line) at USD 2,490 a tonne, 21 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 4,154 a tonne.
  5. Furniture: wooden, other than for office, kitchen or bedroom useHS 940360China: USD 25m at USD 3,258 a tonne. Poland: USD 5m (7 per cent of the line) at USD 2,531 a tonne, 22 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 3,881 a tonne.
  6. Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, cylinder capacity not over 1000ccHS 870321China: USD 22m at USD 10,579 a tonne. Japan: USD 7m (13 per cent of the line) at USD 8,070 a tonne, 24 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 11,368 a tonne.
  7. Furniture: wooden, for bedroom useHS 940350China: USD 15m at USD 2,476 a tonne. Italy: USD 9m (20 per cent of the line) at USD 1,896 a tonne, 23 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 2,758 a tonne.
  8. Chemical products, mixtures and preparations: n.e.c. heading 3824HS 382499China: USD 15m at USD 6,111 a tonne. United States: USD 9m (17 per cent of the line) at USD 4,847 a tonne, 21 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 4,443 a tonne.
  9. Communication apparatus: parts, other than aerials and aerial reflectors of all kindsHS 851779China: USD 12m at USD 158,923 a tonne. United Arab Emirates: USD 7m (32 per cent of the line) at USD 104,142 a tonne, 35 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 225,676 a tonne.
  10. Cosmetic and toilet preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for the care of the skin (excluding medicaments, including sunscreen or sun tan preparations)HS 330499China: USD 11m at USD 34,276 a tonne. United Arab Emirates: USD 25m (13 per cent of the line) at USD 13,927 a tonne, 59 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 36,972 a tonne.
  11. Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil, tape, strip, other flat shapes thereof, self-adhesive, other than in rolls of a width not exceeding 20cmHS 391990China: USD 10m at USD 9,319 a tonne. United Arab Emirates: USD 8m (25 per cent of the line) at USD 5,418 a tonne, 42 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 7,936 a tonne.
  12. Cements, mortars or concretes: their prepared additivesHS 382440China: USD 10m at USD 844 a tonne. Saudi Arabia: USD 6m (19 per cent of the line) at USD 617 a tonne, 27 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 900 a tonne.
  13. Paper and paperboard: folding cartons, boxes and cases, of non-corrugated paper or paperboardHS 481920China: USD 8m at USD 7,022 a tonne. United Arab Emirates: USD 19m (63 per cent of the line) at USD 2,740 a tonne, 61 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 3,087 a tonne.
  14. Acrylic polymers: (other than polymethyl methacrylate), in primary formsHS 390690China: USD 8m at USD 1,959 a tonne. India: USD 6m (21 per cent of the line) at USD 1,348 a tonne, 31 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 2,116 a tonne.
  15. Sauces: tomato ketchup and other tomato saucesHS 210320China: USD 6m at USD 1,502 a tonne. United Arab Emirates: USD 5m (13 per cent of the line) at USD 1,063 a tonne, 29 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 2,038 a tonne.
  16. Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa: n.e.c. in chapter 18HS 180690China: USD 5m at USD 8,677 a tonne. Italy: USD 12m (16 per cent of the line) at USD 5,711 a tonne, 34 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 9,899 a tonne.
The other side of the lane

What Kuwait buys from everyone, and what it is placed to make.

What this record says

What crossed the border, what it was worth, and what it weighed.

Every figure on this page is from CEPII's BACI file, which reconciles what each pair of countries reports to the UN about the same shipment. Trade year 2024, compared with 2022. A line is one six-digit customs heading (HS 2022). Values are in US dollars at the border; growth is in current dollars, so part of any change is price, not volume.

Unit value. Unit values are customs values per tonne, declared at the border, not product prices. It is the value of a line divided by its declared weight, so it mixes grades, models and qualities under one heading. It is shown only where the weight is recorded, at least three source countries of USD 100k or more ship the line to Kuwait with a weight, and the figure sits within a factor of five of the middle of those sources. Outside that band it is treated as a recording problem and left out.

Share is China's part of everything Kuwait imported in that line, from every source. Sources counts the countries that shipped any of it.

Scope. Manufactured and processed goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, without ores, fuels, precious metals, scrap, raw farm output and one-off capital and defence purchases: the same rule as the Made here pages.

What it does not say

A record of trade, not a shopping list.

What this record does not say: what sells at retail, what margin a trade leaves, how crowded the marketplaces are, or how much of a flow is re-exported through entrepots such as Hong Kong and Singapore.

A large line is not proof of an opening, and a lower unit value from another country is not proof the goods are the same. Tariffs, standards, freight, payment terms, lead times and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. Nothing on this page is a forecast, a recommendation or a promise. No supplier company is named, because the record holds none.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601. Edition of 2026-11-03.

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