Hand Stamp Market

The global hand stamp market is projected to see steady growth in demand over the next eight years, with an anticipated increase in both volume and value. In 2022, total consumption reached 342M units, with the United States, China, and Japan leading in consumption. China remains the largest producer of hand stamps, while the United States is the main importer. Hand stamp import prices declined in 2022, while exports slightly reduced. Overall, the market is expected to see gradual growth in the near future with varying trends across different countries.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for stamps for use in the hand worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 377M units by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $787M (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Stamps For Use In The Hand

In 2022, approx. 342M units of stamps for use in the hand were consumed worldwide; surging by 6% on 2021. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

The global hand stamp market size totaled $600M in 2022, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the global market reached the maximum level at $629M in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were the United States (79M units), China (48M units) and Japan (16M units), with a combined 42% share of global consumption. Austria, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, Spain, France, Mexico, Turkey, South Korea and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 29%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +16.6%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest hand stamp markets worldwide were the United States ($101M), Japan ($69M) and China ($46M), with a combined 36% share of the global market. Mexico, Germany, Austria, France, the UK, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, South Korea and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 33%.

The Netherlands, with a CAGR of +12.8%, saw the highest growth rate of market size in terms of the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the highest levels of hand stamp per capita consumption was registered in Austria (1,797 units per 1000 persons), followed by the Netherlands (564 units per 1000 persons), the United States (236 units per 1000 persons) and Spain (208 units per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of hand stamp was estimated at 43 units per 1000 persons.

In Austria, hand stamp per capita consumption remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: the Netherlands (+16.1% per year) and the United States (+13.3% per year).

Production

World Production of Stamps For Use In The Hand

Global hand stamp production dropped to 282M units in 2022, shrinking by -6.9% on the previous year's figure. Overall, production showed a slight descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production attained the maximum volume at 329M units in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, hand stamp production declined to $502M in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 24% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $593M in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

China (106M units) remains the largest hand stamp producing country worldwide, comprising approx. 37% of total volume. Moreover, hand stamp production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Austria (34M units), threefold. Taiwan (Chinese) (14M units) ranked third in terms of total production with a 4.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China stood at -1.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Austria (-2.5% per year) and Taiwan (Chinese) (-3.4% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Stamps For Use In The Hand

In 2022, purchases abroad of stamps for use in the hand increased by 18% to 217M units, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

In value terms, hand stamp imports declined modestly to $327M in 2022. In general, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 29%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $334M, and then contracted modestly in the following year.

Imports By Country

The United States represented the main importing country with an import of about 71M units, which amounted to 33% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Germany (12M units), constituting a 5.5% share of total imports. The following importers - the Netherlands (9.6M units), Austria (7.9M units), France (6.7M units), the UK (6.5M units), Nigeria (6.2M units), Russia (5.7M units), Poland (5.1M units), Japan (4.5M units), Brazil (3.8M units), South Korea (3.8M units) and Mexico (3.6M units) - together made up 29% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to hand stamp imports into the United States stood at +13.1%. At the same time, Nigeria (+40.7%), Russia (+14.2%), Poland (+12.3%), the Netherlands (+8.4%), Austria (+7.5%), South Korea (+5.9%), Germany (+2.8%), France (+1.9%) and Mexico (+1.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Nigeria emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +40.7% from 2012-2022. By contrast, the UK (-2.2%), Brazil (-2.9%) and Japan (-3.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the United States (+20 p.p.), Nigeria (+2.7 p.p.), the Netherlands (+1.7 p.p.) and Russia (+1.7 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global imports from 2012-2022, the share of Japan (-2 p.p.) and the UK (-2.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($59M), Germany ($30M) and France ($19M) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 33% share of global imports. Austria, Poland, Japan, the UK, the Netherlands, Russia, South Korea, Mexico, Brazil and Nigeria lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

Among the main importing countries, Nigeria, with a CAGR of +16.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average hand stamp import price amounted to $1.5 per unit, declining by -17.1% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a pronounced setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the average import price increased by 5.3%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $2 per unit in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($2.9 per unit), while Nigeria ($0.1 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea (+2.7%), while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Exports

World Exports of Stamps For Use In The Hand

In 2022, the amount of stamps for use in the hand exported worldwide reduced modestly to 157M units, with a decrease of -4% against 2021. Over the period under review, exports showed a mild reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the maximum at 185M units in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, hand stamp exports reduced slightly to $315M in 2022. In general, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 31%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $330M, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

Exports By Country

In 2022, China (59M units) was the key exporter of stamps for use in the hand, comprising 38% of total exports. Austria (26M units) held a 17% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Taiwan (Chinese) (7.5%), Hong Kong SAR (5.3%) and the Netherlands (5.2%). The United States (5.6M units), Italy (3.7M units), Romania (3.1M units), Spain (3M units), Germany (2.9M units), Vietnam (2.7M units) and the Czech Republic (2.5M units) took a little share of total exports.

Exports from China decreased at an average annual rate of -2.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Romania (+79.4%), Spain (+10.7%), Italy (+3.7%), Hong Kong SAR (+3.4%), Vietnam (+3.3%) and the Czech Republic (+1.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Romania emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +79.4% from 2012-2022. Germany experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Austria (-2.4%), Taiwan (Chinese) (-2.9%), the United States (-3.4%) and the Netherlands (-7.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Hong Kong SAR (+2.1 p.p.) and Romania (+1.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while China and the Netherlands saw its share reduced by -2% and -4.2% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest hand stamp supplying countries worldwide were China ($71M), Austria ($67M) and Hong Kong SAR ($23M), together comprising 51% of global exports. Taiwan (Chinese), the Netherlands, the United States, Germany, Italy, Vietnam, the Czech Republic, Romania and Spain lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 32%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Romania, with a CAGR of +53.6%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average hand stamp export price stood at $2 per unit in 2022, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the average export price increased by 11% against the previous year. The global export price peaked at $2 per unit in 2021, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($5 per unit), while Spain ($0.8 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+10.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform