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The twenty imports Tanzania is best placed to replace.

Tanzania imported USD 14bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 1.4bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well, with how concentrated the supply of each is.

USD 1.7bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
87products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
411products Tanzania already exports well
269product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing Tanzania already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Tanzania would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and Tanzania does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: containing the three fertilizing elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassiumHS 310520

    Comes fromZambia 64%, 17 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWashing and cleaning preparations: powders, flakes and granules... (exports USD 20m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 17m
    Countries that export it well35

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 88m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Tanzania's export strengths in the top 8 per cent (3); Zambia supplies 64 per cent (2).

    USD 88mdown 24% on 2022
  2. 2

    Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses...HS 300490

    Comes fromIndia 63%, 68 source countries
    Nearest export strengthInsecticides: other than containing goods specified in Subheading... (exports USD 7m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 45m
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 204m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Tanzania's export strengths in the top 34 per cent (1); India supplies 63 per cent (2).

    USD 204mdown 33% on 2022
  3. 3

    Sugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matterHS 170199

    Comes fromUnited Arab Emirates 32%, 20 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 2k
    Countries that export it well44

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 170m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Tanzania's export strengths in the top 7 per cent (3).

    USD 170mup 12% on 2022
  4. 4

    Motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles: fitted with an auxiliary motor, internal combustion piston engine, of...HS 871120

    Comes fromChina 62%, 30 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m
    Countries that export it well12

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 170m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Tanzania's export strengths in the top 47 per cent (1); China supplies 62 per cent (2).

    USD 170mup 6% on 2022
  5. 5

    Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, painted, varnished or coated with plasticsHS 721070

    Comes fromChina 68%, 11 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: angles, shapes and sections, n.e.c. in... (exports USD 4m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 31m
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 109m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Tanzania's export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1); China supplies 68 per cent (2).

    USD 109mup 6% on 2022
  6. 6

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, urea, whether or not in aqueous solutionHS 310210

    Comes fromQatar 42%, 21 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 19m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 64m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Tanzania's export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3); Qatar supplies 42 per cent (1).

    USD 64mdown 60% on 2022
  7. 7

    Engines: for aircraft, spark-ignition reciprocating or rotary internal combustion piston enginesHS 840710

    Comes fromUnited States 89%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 111k
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 61m, top 13 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Tanzania's export strengths in the top 16 per cent (2); United States supplies 89 per cent (2).

    USD 61mfrom USD 10m in 2022
  8. 8

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

    Comes fromChina 57%, 22 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 5m
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 128m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Tanzania's export strengths in the top 31 per cent (1); China supplies 57 per cent (1).

    USD 128mup 144% on 2022
  9. 9

    Propylene, other olefin polymers: polypropylene in primary formsHS 390210

    Comes fromChina 34%, 26 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 852k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 50m
    Countries that export it well26

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 114m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Tanzania's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2).

    USD 114mup 2% on 2022
  10. 10

    Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of 0.94 or moreHS 390120

    Comes fromUnited Arab Emirates 46%, 27 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 737k; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 112m
    Countries that export it well24

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 108m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Tanzania's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1); United Arab Emirates supplies 46 per cent (1).

    USD 108mup 10% on 2022
  11. 11

    Herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators: other than containing goods of Subheading Note 1 to...HS 380893

    Comes fromChina 83%, 21 source countries
    Nearest export strengthInsecticides: other than containing goods specified in Subheading... (exports USD 7m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 104k; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 81m
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 73m, top 10 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Tanzania's export strengths in the top 41 per cent (1); China supplies 83 per cent (2).

    USD 73mup 23% on 2022
  12. 12

    Buildings: prefabricated, not of woodHS 940690

    Comes fromChina 69%, 28 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 244k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 13m
    Countries that export it well38

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 73m, top 10 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Tanzania's export strengths in the top 26 per cent (1); China supplies 69 per cent (2).

    USD 73mup 133% on 2022
  13. 13

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

    Comes fromChina 97%, 32 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 473k
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 70m, top 11 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Tanzania's export strengths in the top 28 per cent (1); China supplies 97 per cent (2).

    USD 70mdown 3% on 2022
  14. 14

    Iron or non-alloy steel: semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel, containing by weight less than 0.25% of...HS 720719

    Comes fromSouth Africa 48%, 7 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 24m
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 58m, top 14 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Tanzania's export strengths in the top 13 per cent (2); South Africa supplies 48 per cent (1).

    USD 58mdown 16% on 2022
  15. 15

    Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10HS 210690

    Comes fromGermany 52%, 61 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m
    Countries that export it well51

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 53m, top 15 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Tanzania's export strengths in the top 18 per cent (2); Germany supplies 52 per cent (1).

    USD 53mup 99% on 2022
  16. 16

    Aluminium: (not alloyed), wire, maximum cross-sectional dimension exceeds 7mmHS 760511

    Comes fromUnited Arab Emirates 40%, 8 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well24

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 53m, top 16 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Tanzania's export strengths in the top 19 per cent (2); United Arab Emirates supplies 40 per cent (1).

    USD 53mup 31% on 2022
  17. 17

    Dog or cat food: (not put up for retail sale), used in animal feedingHS 230990

    Comes fromKenya 44%, 34 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWaters: including mineral and aerated, containing added sugar or... (exports USD 41m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 9m
    Countries that export it well48

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 48m, top 19 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Tanzania's export strengths in the top 11 per cent (2); Kenya supplies 44 per cent (1).

    USD 48mup 126% on 2022
  18. 18

    Copper: wire, of refined copper, of which the maximum cross-sectional dimension exceeds 6mmHS 740811

    Comes fromUnited Arab Emirates 59%, 7 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 30k
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 40m, top 23 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Tanzania's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); United Arab Emirates supplies 59 per cent (1).

    USD 40mup 0% on 2022
  19. 19

    Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils, n.e.c. in heading no. 7213, of...HS 721391

    Comes fromChina 93%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well31

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 36m, top 28 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Tanzania's export strengths in the top 21 per cent (2); China supplies 93 per cent (2).

    USD 36mdown 30% on 2022
  20. 20

    Sanitary towels (pads) and tampons, napkins (diapers), napkin liners and similar articles, of any materialHS 961900

    Comes fromChina 63%, 28 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 8m
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 27m, top 38 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Tanzania's export strengths in the top 16 per cent (2); China supplies 63 per cent (2).

    USD 27mdown 17% on 2022

The bill and its path, the sources and their unit values, who exports the line well, the nearest strengths, the public buyers where a country publishes them, and the method. We reply by email. Privacy

One line per customs heading. Products Tanzania already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

  • Iron or steel (excluding cast iron): line pipe of a kind used for oil or gas... imports USD 212m, exports USD 6m, top source China 84%
  • Rail locomotives: diesel-electric powered imports USD 207m, exports USD 9m, top source South Korea 97%
  • Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity of 78ml/g... imports USD 123m, exports USD 8m, top source China 90%
  • Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine... imports USD 89m, exports USD 12m, top source China 60%
  • Mechanical shovels, excavators and shovel loaders: n.e.c. in item no. 8429.50 imports USD 85m, exports USD 13m, top source China 68%
  • Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine... imports USD 79m, exports USD 17m, top source China 86%
  • Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: n.e.c. in heading no. 3105 imports USD 58m, exports USD 5m, top source Saudi Arabia 41%
  • Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: diammonium hydrogenorthophosphate... imports USD 67m, exports USD 20m, top source Saudi Arabia 68%
  • Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, double salts and mixtures of... imports USD 36m, exports USD 595k, top source Finland 53%
  • Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded... imports USD 46m, exports USD 11m, top source South Africa 54%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 269 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-03. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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