What Zambia buys from China.
Zambia imported USD 1.9bn of manufactured and processed goods from China in 2024, up 46 per cent on 2022. That is 23 per cent of everything Zambia imported in these lines, and China is its number 2 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.
The largest lines on the lane, by 2024 value.
Each line shows what Zambia paid China for it at the border, China's share of everything Zambia imported in that line, how it changed since 2022, and the customs unit value per tonne where the weight is recorded. Together they are 54 per cent of the lane.
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1
Tractors: road tractors for semi-trailers, with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel)HS 870121
Share of Zambia's imports59 per cent, 30 source countriesChangedown 4 per cent on 2022 (USD 125m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 4,191 a tonne, 28,663 tonnesUSD 120min 2024 -
2
Machines: for agglomerating, shaping or moulding solid mineral fuels, ceramic paste, unhardened cements, plastering materials in powder or paste form, machines for...HS 847480
Share of Zambia's imports91 per cent, 11 source countriesChangefrom USD 2m in 2022Unit valueUSD 13,243 a tonne, 4,062 tonnesUSD 54min 2024 -
3
Machines and mechanical appliances: having individual functions, n.e.c. or included in this chapterHS 847989
Share of Zambia's imports85 per cent, 41 source countriesChangeup 51 per cent on 2022 (USD 32m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 9,005 a tonne, 5,337 tonnesUSD 48min 2024 -
4
Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a g.v.w. exceeding 20 tonnes), n.e.c. in...HS 870423
Share of Zambia's imports68 per cent, 23 source countriesChangeup 119 per cent on 2022 (USD 18m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 2,237 a tonne, 17,669 tonnesUSD 40min 2024 -
5
Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, painted, varnished or coated with plasticsHS 721070
Share of Zambia's imports86 per cent, 5 source countriesChangeup 66 per cent on 2022 (USD 22m in 2022)Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 37min 2024 -
6
Pumps: centrifugal, n.e.c. in heading no. 8413, for liquidsHS 841370
Share of Zambia's imports57 per cent, 48 source countriesChangeup 449 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 16,892 a tonne, 2,194 tonnesUSD 37min 2024 -
7
Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308HS 730890
Share of Zambia's imports40 per cent, 42 source countriesChangeup 334 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,473 a tonne, 22,372 tonnesUSD 33min 2024 -
8
Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on buses or lorriesHS 401120
Share of Zambia's imports89 per cent, 27 source countriesChangedown 11 per cent on 2022 (USD 35m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 2,137 a tonne, 14,506 tonnesUSD 31min 2024 -
9
Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: ammonium dihydrogenorthophosphate (monoammonium phosphate) and mixtures thereof with diammonium hydrogenorthophosphate (diammonium...HS 310540
Share of Zambia's imports27 per cent, 14 source countriesChangefrom USD 2m in 2022Unit valueUSD 622 a tonne, 48,514 tonnesUSD 30min 2024 -
10
Steel, alloy: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or extrudedHS 722830
Share of Zambia's imports51 per cent, 5 source countriesChangeup 122 per cent on 2022 (USD 13m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,009 a tonne, 27,928 tonnesUSD 28min 2024 -
11
Spreaders and distributors: for manure and fertilizers, for agricultural, horticultural or forestry use: fertiliser distributorsHS 843242
Share of Zambia's imports96 per cent, 12 source countriesChangefrom USD 19k in 2022Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 27min 2024 -
12
Machines, for sorting, screening, separating, washing, crushing etc mineral substances, for agglomerating, shaping or moulding solid fuels, ceramic pastes etc, for...HS 847490
Share of Zambia's imports25 per cent, 51 source countriesChangeup 53 per cent on 2022 (USD 18m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 3,083 a tonne, 8,783 tonnesUSD 27min 2024 -
13
Trailers and semi-trailers: (other than tanker type)HS 871639
Share of Zambia's imports48 per cent, 23 source countriesChangeup 290 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,833 a tonne, 14,293 tonnesUSD 26min 2024 -
14
Vehicles: dumpers, designed for off-highway use, for transport of goodsHS 870410
Share of Zambia's imports10 per cent, 17 source countriesChangeup 4 per cent on 2022 (USD 23m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 3,451 a tonne, 6,777 tonnesUSD 23min 2024 -
15
Machines: for sorting, screening, separating or washing earth, stone, ores or other mineral substancesHS 847410
Share of Zambia's imports62 per cent, 17 source countriesChangeup 95 per cent on 2022 (USD 12m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 6,969 a tonne, 3,246 tonnesUSD 23min 2024 -
16
Machines: for mixing or kneading mineral substances, excluding concrete mixers and machines for mixing mineral substances with bitumenHS 847439
Share of Zambia's imports92 per cent, 6 source countriesChangefrom USD 318k in 2022Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 21min 2024 -
17
Electrical static convertersHS 850440
Share of Zambia's imports36 per cent, 54 source countriesChangefrom USD 3m in 2022Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 20min 2024 -
18
Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of 0.94 or moreHS 390120
Share of Zambia's imports28 per cent, 22 source countriesChangeup 33 per cent on 2022 (USD 15m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,509 a tonne, 12,781 tonnesUSD 19min 2024 -
19
Mechanical shovels, excavators and shovel loaders: with a 360 degree revolving super structureHS 842952
Share of Zambia's imports32 per cent, 14 source countriesChangeup 459 per cent on 2022 (USD 3m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 3,221 a tonne, 5,886 tonnesUSD 19min 2024 -
20
Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity of 78ml/g or higherHS 390761
Share of Zambia's imports80 per cent, 8 source countriesChangedown 6 per cent on 2022 (USD 18m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,120 a tonne, 14,979 tonnesUSD 17min 2024 -
21
Sulphides: of sodium, whether or not chemically definedHS 283010
Share of Zambia's imports80 per cent, 10 source countriesChangeup 50 per cent on 2022 (USD 11m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,016 a tonne, 16,251 tonnesUSD 17min 2024 -
22
Machinery: for filling, closing, sealing, capsuling or labelling bottles, cans, bags or other containers, machinery for aerating beveragesHS 842230
Share of Zambia's imports45 per cent, 25 source countriesChangeup 191 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 27,711 a tonne, 593 tonnesUSD 16min 2024 -
23
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 Zambia's imports35 per cent, 55 source countriesChangedown 10 per cent on 2022 (USD 18m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 92,164 a tonne, 176 tonnesUSD 16min 2024 -
24
Pumps and compressors: for air, vacuum or gas, n.e.c. in heading no. 8414HS 841480
Share of Zambia's imports54 per cent, 43 source countriesChangefrom USD 846k in 2022Unit valueUSD 24,215 a tonne, 661 tonnesUSD 16min 2024 -
25
Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, urea, whether or not in aqueous solutionHS 310210
Share of Zambia's imports9 per cent, 23 source countriesChangedown 46 per cent on 2022 (USD 30m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 533 a tonne, 29,961 tonnesUSD 16min 2024 -
26
Iron or steel: grinding balls and similar articles for mills, forged or stamped, but not further workedHS 732611
Share of Zambia's imports53 per cent, 7 source countriesChangeup 162 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,124 a tonne, 13,629 tonnesUSD 15min 2024 -
27
Machines: for crushing or grinding earth, stone, ores or other mineral substancesHS 847420
Share of Zambia's imports19 per cent, 29 source countriesChangeup 133 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 2,788 a tonne, 5,218 tonnesUSD 15min 2024 -
28
Front-end shovel loadersHS 842951
Share of Zambia's imports50 per cent, 23 source countriesChangeup 95 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 3,739 a tonne, 3,877 tonnesUSD 14min 2024 -
29
Mechanical shovels, excavators and shovel loaders: n.e.c. in item no. 8429.50HS 842959
Share of Zambia's imports23 per cent, 20 source countriesChangeup 77 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 4,092 a tonne, 3,542 tonnesUSD 14min 2024 -
30
Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, not fitted with connectorsHS 854449
Share of Zambia's imports62 per cent, 52 source countriesChangeup 331 per cent on 2022 (USD 3m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 9,830 a tonne, 1,467 tonnesUSD 14min 2024 -
31
Machinery: parts of machines handling earth, minerals or ores and n.e.c. in heading no. 8431HS 843149
Share of Zambia's imports12 per cent, 74 source countriesChangeup 54 per cent on 2022 (USD 9m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 5,603 a tonne, 2,406 tonnesUSD 13min 2024 -
32
Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail saleHS 300490
Share of Zambia's imports7 per cent, 51 source countriesChangeup 275 per cent on 2022 (USD 4m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 21,817 a tonne, 612 tonnesUSD 13min 2024 -
33
Graders and levellersHS 842920
Share of Zambia's imports87 per cent, 8 source countriesChangeup 304 per cent on 2022 (USD 3m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 7,533 a tonne, 1,699 tonnesUSD 13min 2024 -
34
Enamels and glazes: vitrifiable enamels and glazes, engobes (slips) and similar preparationsHS 320720
Share of Zambia's imports86 per cent, 6 source countriesChangeup 92 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022)Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 11min 2024 -
35
Electric accumulators: lithium-ion, including separators, whether or not rectangular (including square)HS 850760
Share of Zambia's imports34 per cent, 33 source countriesChangeup 275 per cent on 2022 (USD 3m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 9,569 a tonne, 1,161 tonnesUSD 11min 2024 -
36
Refrigerating or freezing equipment: n.e.c. in heading no. 8418HS 841869
Share of Zambia's imports77 per cent, 21 source countriesChangefrom USD 458k in 2022Unit valueUSD 30,569 a tonne, 354 tonnesUSD 11min 2024 -
37
Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, n.e.c. in heading no. 3901HS 390190
Share of Zambia's imports78 per cent, 14 source countriesChangeup 177 per cent on 2022 (USD 4m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,346 a tonne, 7,876 tonnesUSD 11min 2024 -
38
Organo-sulphur compounds: n.e.c. in heading no. 2930HS 293090
Share of Zambia's imports51 per cent, 11 source countriesChangeup 42 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,797 a tonne, 5,565 tonnesUSD 10min 2024 -
39
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 Zambia's imports45 per cent, 10 source countriesChangedown 27 per cent on 2022 (USD 13m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 981 a tonne, 9,972 tonnesUSD 10min 2024 -
40
Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on construction, mining or industrial handling vehicles and machinesHS 401180
Share of Zambia's imports7 per cent, 24 source countriesChangeup 7 per cent on 2022 (USD 9m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 3,146 a tonne, 3,023 tonnesUSD 10min 2024 -
41
Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, ammonium sulphateHS 310221
Share of Zambia's imports32 per cent, 12 source countriesChangeup 229 per cent on 2022 (USD 3m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 345 a tonne, 27,255 tonnesUSD 9min 2024 -
42
Herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators: other than containing goods of Subheading Note 1 to this Chapter: put up in forms or packings for...HS 380893
Share of Zambia's imports37 per cent, 21 source countriesChangedown 27 per cent on 2022 (USD 13m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 4,368 a tonne, 2,094 tonnesUSD 9min 2024 -
43
Insecticides: other than containing goods specified in Subheading Notes 1 & 2 to this Chapter: put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articlesHS 380891
Share of Zambia's imports34 per cent, 33 source countriesChangeup 7 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022)Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 9min 2024 -
44
Boring or sinking machinery: self-propelled, n.e.c. in heading no. 8430HS 843041
Share of Zambia's imports16 per cent, 19 source countriesChangeup 64 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 13,233 a tonne, 646 tonnesUSD 9min 2024 -
45
Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: potassic, potassium chlorideHS 310420
Share of Zambia's imports26 per cent, 12 source countriesChangefrom USD 2k in 2022Unit valueUSD 586 a tonne, 13,952 tonnesUSD 8min 2024 -
46
Acrylic polymers: (other than polymethyl methacrylate), in primary formsHS 390690
Share of Zambia's imports18 per cent, 21 source countriesChangeup 387 per cent on 2022 (USD 2m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 2,325 a tonne, 3,484 tonnesUSD 8min 2024 -
47
Iron or non-alloy steel: in coils, flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, cold-rolled, of a thickness of 0.5mm or more but not exceeding 1mmHS 720917
Share of Zambia's imports82 per cent, 6 source countriesChangeup 194 per cent on 2022 (USD 3m in 2022)Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 8min 2024 -
48
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 Zambia's imports36 per cent, 28 source countriesChangeup 376 per cent on 2022 (USD 2m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 22,971 a tonne, 331 tonnesUSD 8min 2024 -
49
Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: containing the three fertilizing elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassiumHS 310520
Share of Zambia's imports20 per cent, 23 source countriesChangedown 36 per cent on 2022 (USD 12m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 958 a tonne, 7,916 tonnesUSD 8min 2024 -
50
Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage exceeding 1000 voltsHS 854460
Share of Zambia's imports50 per cent, 25 source countriesChangeup 85 per cent on 2022 (USD 4m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 7,992 a tonne, 937 tonnesUSD 7min 2024
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.
- Pumps: centrifugal, n.e.c. in heading no. 8413, for liquidsHS 841370USD 37m in 2024, up 449 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022). China supplies 57 per cent of the line.
- Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308HS 730890USD 33m in 2024, up 334 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022). China supplies 40 per cent of the line.
- Trailers and semi-trailers: (other than tanker type)HS 871639USD 26m in 2024, up 290 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022). China supplies 48 per cent of the line.
- Machinery: for filling, closing, sealing, capsuling or labelling bottles, cans, bags or other containers, machinery for aerating beveragesHS 842230USD 16m in 2024, up 191 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). China supplies 45 per cent of the line.
- Iron or steel: grinding balls and similar articles for mills, forged or stamped, but not further workedHS 732611USD 15m in 2024, up 162 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). China supplies 53 per cent of the line.
- Machines: for crushing or grinding earth, stone, ores or other mineral substancesHS 847420USD 15m in 2024, up 133 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). China supplies 19 per cent of the line.
- Steel, alloy: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or extrudedHS 722830USD 28m in 2024, up 122 per cent on 2022 (USD 13m in 2022). China supplies 51 per cent of the line.
- Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a g.v.w. exceeding 20 tonnes), n.e.c. in...HS 870423USD 40m in 2024, up 119 per cent on 2022 (USD 18m in 2022). China supplies 68 per cent of the line.
- Machines: for sorting, screening, separating or washing earth, stone, ores or other mineral substancesHS 847410USD 23m in 2024, up 95 per cent on 2022 (USD 12m in 2022). China supplies 62 per cent of the line.
- Front-end shovel loadersHS 842951USD 14m in 2024, up 95 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022). China supplies 50 per cent of the line.
- Enamels and glazes: vitrifiable enamels and glazes, engobes (slips) and similar preparationsHS 320720USD 11m in 2024, up 92 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). China supplies 86 per cent of the line.
- Mechanical shovels, excavators and shovel loaders: n.e.c. in item no. 8429.50HS 842959USD 14m in 2024, up 77 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022). China supplies 23 per cent of the line.
- Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, painted, varnished or coated with plasticsHS 721070USD 37m in 2024, up 66 per cent on 2022 (USD 22m in 2022). China supplies 86 per cent of the line.
- Boring or sinking machinery: self-propelled, n.e.c. in heading no. 8430HS 843041USD 9m in 2024, up 64 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022). China supplies 16 per cent of the line.
- Machinery: parts of machines handling earth, minerals or ores and n.e.c. in heading no. 8431HS 843149USD 13m in 2024, up 54 per cent on 2022 (USD 9m in 2022). China supplies 12 per cent of the line.
- Machines, for sorting, screening, separating, washing, crushing etc mineral substances, for agglomerating, shaping or moulding solid fuels, ceramic pastes etc, for...HS 847490USD 27m in 2024, up 53 per cent on 2022 (USD 18m in 2022). China supplies 25 per cent of the line.
- Machines and mechanical appliances: having individual functions, n.e.c. or included in this chapterHS 847989USD 48m in 2024, up 51 per cent on 2022 (USD 32m in 2022). China supplies 85 per cent of the line.
- Sulphides: of sodium, whether or not chemically definedHS 283010USD 17m in 2024, up 50 per cent on 2022 (USD 11m in 2022). China supplies 80 per cent of the line.
- Organo-sulphur compounds: n.e.c. in heading no. 2930HS 293090USD 10m in 2024, up 42 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022). China supplies 51 per cent of the line.
- Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of 0.94 or moreHS 390120USD 19m in 2024, up 33 per cent on 2022 (USD 15m in 2022). China supplies 28 per cent of the line.
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 Zambia imports. This is supply concentration: how much of the line depends on one source country.
- Machines: for agglomerating, shaping or moulding solid mineral fuels, ceramic paste, unhardened cements, plastering materials in powder or paste form, machines for...HS 84748091 per cent of Zambia's imports of the line, USD 54m; 11 source countries in all.
- Machines and mechanical appliances: having individual functions, n.e.c. or included in this chapterHS 84798985 per cent of Zambia's imports of the line, USD 48m; 41 source countries in all.
- Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a g.v.w. exceeding 20 tonnes), n.e.c. in...HS 87042368 per cent of Zambia's imports of the line, USD 40m; 23 source countries in all.
- Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, painted, varnished or coated with plasticsHS 72107086 per cent of Zambia's imports of the line, USD 37m; 5 source countries in all.
- Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on buses or lorriesHS 40112089 per cent of Zambia's imports of the line, USD 31m; 27 source countries in all.
- Spreaders and distributors: for manure and fertilizers, for agricultural, horticultural or forestry use: fertiliser distributorsHS 84324296 per cent of Zambia's imports of the line, USD 27m; 12 source countries in all.
- Machines: for sorting, screening, separating or washing earth, stone, ores or other mineral substancesHS 84741062 per cent of Zambia's imports of the line, USD 23m; 17 source countries in all.
- Machines: for mixing or kneading mineral substances, excluding concrete mixers and machines for mixing mineral substances with bitumenHS 84743992 per cent of Zambia's imports of the line, USD 21m; 6 source countries in all.
- Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity of 78ml/g or higherHS 39076180 per cent of Zambia's imports of the line, USD 17m; 8 source countries in all.
- Sulphides: of sodium, whether or not chemically definedHS 28301080 per cent of Zambia's imports of the line, USD 17m; 10 source countries in all.
- Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, not fitted with connectorsHS 85444962 per cent of Zambia's imports of the line, USD 14m; 52 source countries in all.
- Graders and levellersHS 84292087 per cent of Zambia's imports of the line, USD 13m; 8 source countries in all.
- Enamels and glazes: vitrifiable enamels and glazes, engobes (slips) and similar preparationsHS 32072086 per cent of Zambia's imports of the line, USD 11m; 6 source countries in all.
- Refrigerating or freezing equipment: n.e.c. in heading no. 8418HS 84186977 per cent of Zambia's imports of the line, USD 11m; 21 source countries in all.
- Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, n.e.c. in heading no. 3901HS 39019078 per cent of Zambia's imports of the line, USD 11m; 14 source countries in all.
- Iron or non-alloy steel: in coils, flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, cold-rolled, of a thickness of 0.5mm or more but not exceeding 1mmHS 72091782 per cent of Zambia's imports of the line, USD 8m; 6 source countries in all.
- Sulphites: of sodiumHS 28321063 per cent of Zambia's imports of the line, USD 7m; 14 source countries in all.
- Felt: needleloom felt and stitch-bonded fibre fabrics, whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminatedHS 560210100 per cent of Zambia's imports of the line, USD 7m; 5 source countries in all.
- Iron or non-alloy steel: U, I or H sections, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or extruded, of a height of less than 80mmHS 72161076 per cent of Zambia's imports of the line, USD 6m; 5 source countries in all.
- Plastics: tube, pipe and hose fittings (e.g. joints, elbows, flanges)HS 39174060 per cent of Zambia's imports of the line, USD 6m; 50 source countries in all.
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 Zambia 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.
- Tractors: road tractors for semi-trailers, with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel)HS 870121China: USD 120m at USD 4,191 a tonne. Germany: USD 6m (3 per cent of the line) at USD 2,807 a tonne, 33 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 4,278 a tonne.
- Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of 0.94 or moreHS 390120China: USD 19m at USD 1,509 a tonne. South Africa: USD 10m (14 per cent of the line) at USD 1,053 a tonne, 30 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 1,509 a tonne.
- Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, not fitted with connectorsHS 854449China: USD 14m at USD 9,830 a tonne. South Africa: USD 5m (22 per cent of the line) at USD 7,042 a tonne, 28 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 11,905 a tonne.
- Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail saleHS 300490China: USD 13m at USD 21,817 a tonne. Egypt: USD 10m (6 per cent of the line) at USD 9,911 a tonne, 55 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 36,889 a tonne.
- 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 720839China: USD 10m at USD 981 a tonne. South Africa: USD 9m (43 per cent of the line) at USD 716 a tonne, 27 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 733 a tonne.
- Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: containing the three fertilizing elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassiumHS 310520China: USD 8m at USD 958 a tonne. United Arab Emirates: USD 7m (18 per cent of the line) at USD 638 a tonne, 33 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 845 a tonne.
- Machinery: for use in the milling industry or for the working of cereals or dried leguminous vegetables, other than farm-type machineryHS 843780China: USD 6m at USD 9,579 a tonne. Turkey: USD 9m (19 per cent of the line) at USD 6,073 a tonne, 37 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 16,007 a tonne.
What Zambia buys from everyone, and what it is placed to make.
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 Zambia 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 Zambia 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.
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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