Marine Forwarding

Country guide

Shipping between the US and Zambia

Africa

In 2025 the United States exported $111.0 million of goods to Zambia and imported $321.5 million from there. Zambia ranked 151st among US export markets and 104th among sources of US imports.

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US exports, 2025
$111.0MDown 2.3% on 2024 ($113.6 million)
US imports, 2025
$321.5MUp 90.8% on 2024 ($168.5 million)
Goods balance
$210.5MUS deficit
Export market rank
151stAmong destinations of US goods
Import source rank
104thAmong sources of US imports

Top goods each way

The five largest Harmonized System chapters by value in 2025, with each chapter's share of the total.

US exports to Zambia

Machinery and mechanical appliances (chapter 84) led US exports to Zambia at $56.3 million, 51% of the total. The top three chapters made up 69%.

  1. 84Machinery and mechanical appliances$56.3 million50.7%
  2. 40Rubber$12.5 million11.2%
  3. 98Special classification provisions$7.3 million6.6%
  4. 85Electrical machinery and equipment$5.5 million4.9%
  5. 88Aircraft and spacecraft$4.7 million4.2%

US imports from Zambia

Copper (chapter 74) led US imports from Zambia at $249.0 million, 77% of the total. The top three chapters made up 97%.

  1. 74Copper$249.0 million77.4%
  2. 71Precious stones, metals and jewelry$41.2 million12.8%
  3. 09Coffee, tea and spices$22.3 million6.9%
  4. 98Special classification provisions$5.4 million1.7%
  5. 12Oil seeds, grains and fodder$1.0 million0.3%

Trade terms

The United States has no free trade agreement in force with Zambia, according to the US Trade Representative. Check the duty rate for your goods before you ship.

The International Trade Administration covers the import rules and documents Zambia requires in its Country Commercial Guide.

Through Norfolk-Newport News

The Census Bureau records trade by the US port it passes through. These are its 2025 figures for Norfolk-Newport News, Virginia, for trade with Zambia.

Exports through the port, 2025
$2.1M1.9% of the US total with Zambia
Leading export goods
Machinery and mechanical appliancesHS chapter 84, $876 thousand
Imports through the port, 2025
$20.7M6.4% of the US total with Zambia
Leading import goods
CopperHS chapter 74, $14.2 million

Trade through Norfolk-Newport News

Getting cargo to Zambia

Zambia is landlocked. Ocean cargo for Zambia discharges at a seaport in a neighboring country and moves on by road or rail.

Sources

  • US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
  • Trade agreements: Office of the US Trade Representative, free trade agreements, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Import requirements: International Trade Administration, Country Commercial Guides, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.