Countries
Sierra Leone: trade by HS code
- US$1.5bnExports 2024
- US$2.1bnImports 2024
- 1,469HS6 · Exports
In 2024, exports from Sierra Leone came to US$1.5bn and imports to US$2.1bn.
Its main exports were iron ore, non-agglomerated (2601.11), titanium ores (ilmenite, rutile) (2614.00) and cocoa beans (1801.00).
Its largest customer was China and its largest supplier China.
In the 12 months to August 2026, the UK imported goods worth £11.7m from Sierra Leone (-1% on the year before), above all liquid dielectric transformers over 10…, industrial diamonds, unworked and rough diamonds (non-industrial), and exported £56m to it.
Under DCTS Comprehensive, 98% of the UK tariff lines are duty-free for goods from Sierra Leone that meet the rules of origin.
Sierra Leone and the UK
Agreement or scheme: DCTS Comprehensive
What the UK imports from Sierra Leone
- 8504.23Liquid dielectric transformers over 10 MVA
- 7102.21Industrial diamonds, unworked
- 7102.31Rough diamonds (non-industrial)
- 0713.40Dried lentils
- 8507.60Lithium-ion batteries
- 9619.00Sanitary pads, tampons and diapers
- 8479.82Mixing, crushing and stirring machines
- 8419.89Other industrial process machinery
- 6806.90Other mineral insulating materials
- 8411.91Turbojet and turboprop parts
Data up to August 2026 (provisional) · HMRC
Sierra Leone and the EU
Agreement or scheme: GSP-EBA (Special arrangement for the least-developed countries - Everything But Arms)
What the EU imports from Sierra Leone
- 1801.00Cocoa beans
- 2614.00Titanium ores (ilmenite, rutile)
- 1511.10Crude palm oil
- 7102.31Rough diamonds (non-industrial)
- 4412.33Hardwood-faced plywood (birch, beech, oak etc.)
- 4412.31Plywood with tropical wood face
- 0901.11Green coffee (not decaffeinated)
- 8486.90Parts for semiconductor manufacturing machines
- 1513.21Palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions thereof: crude oil
- 7601.20Unwrought aluminium alloys
Data up to August 2026 (provisional) · Eurostat Comext
Top exports
- 2601.11Iron ore, non-agglomerated
- 2614.00Titanium ores (ilmenite, rutile)
- 1801.00Cocoa beans
- 7102.31Rough diamonds (non-industrial)
- 2615.10Zirconium ores (zircon)
- 2606.00Aluminium ores (bauxite)
- 2617.90Other ores and concentrates: other
- 0901.11Green coffee (not decaffeinated)
- 7204.49Other ferrous scrap
- 7602.00Aluminium scrap
- 1511.90Refined palm oil and fractions
- 7404.00Copper scrap
- 0303.89Other frozen fish (whole)
- 7010.90Glass bottles, jars and containers
- 1511.10Crude palm oil
- 7102.39Worked diamonds (non-industrial)
- 2615.90Niobium, tantalum, vanadium or zirconium ores: other
- 8528.72Colour televisions
- 3823.19Other industrial fatty acids
- 8504.23Liquid dielectric transformers over 10 MVA
Top imports
- 1006.30Milled rice
- 3004.90Other medicines, dosed or for retail sale
- 1006.40Broken rice
- 1701.99Refined sugar (other)
- 3924.90Other plastic household and toilet articles
- 0207.14Frozen chicken cuts and offal
- 2523.29Portland cement (non-white)
- 7308.90Other steel structures and parts
- 1101.00Wheat flour
- 0202.30Frozen boneless beef
- 8502.13Diesel generating sets over 375 kVA
- 8602.10Diesel-electric locomotives
- 7214.20Steel rebar (deformed bars)
- 8704.10Off-highway dump trucks
- 1901.90Other malt extract and flour preparations
- 2716.00Electricity
- 8474.20Crushing and grinding machines
- 2002.90Tomato paste and other preserved tomatoes
- 6402.99Rubber and plastic shoes (not ankle-covering)
- 8711.20Motorcycles 50-250 cc
Main buyers from Sierra Leone
Main suppliers of Sierra Leone
Questions and answers
What does Sierra Leone export most?
In 2024, its largest export at the six-digit level was iron ore, non-agglomerated (HS 2601.11), worth US$829m.
Does the UK have a trade agreement with Sierra Leone?
Yes: goods from Sierra Leone can enter at preferential rates under DCTS Comprehensive, duty-free on 98% of tariff lines, provided they meet the rules of origin and come with proof of origin.