Car polish imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported car polish worth $2.8 million (323 tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is close to the 2023 level. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2.8M | 323 t |
| 2023 | $2.8M | 394 t |
| 2022 | $2.7M | 354 t |
| 2021 | $2.2M | 289 t |
| 2020 | $1.4M | 230 t |
| 2019 | $1.8M | 234 t |
| 2018 | $1.9M | 311 t |
| 2017 | $2.0M | 264 t |
Where South Africa imports car polish from
Most of the value came from United Kingdom (38%), Germany (18%), China (11%). Among the main suppliers, Taiwan grew fastest (+636% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $1.1M | 38% |
| Germany | $494K | 18% |
| China | $320K | 12% |
| United States | $298K | 11% |
| France | $144K | 5.2% |
| Taiwan | $134K | 4.8% |
| Spain | $95K | 3.4% |
| Finland | $72K | 2.6% |
| Turkey | $57K | 2% |
| Italy | $33K | 1.2% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $8.66 per kg, 35% above the world average of $6.42. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Car polish exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $530 thousand of car polish in 2024 (97 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Angola (21%), Lesotho (13%), Madagascar (12%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 46%. Among the main buyer markets, Madagascar grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Angola | $111K | 21% |
| Lesotho | $70K | 13% |
| Madagascar | $63K | 12% |
| Mauritius | $61K | 11% |
| Mozambique | $35K | 6.6% |
| China | $33K | 6.2% |
| Eswatini | $30K | 5.6% |
| Botswana | $28K | 5.2% |
| Namibia | $25K | 4.8% |
| United Kingdom | $18K | 3.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa car polish imports (HS 3405.30): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 3405.30: Polishes, creams and similar preparations: for coachwork, other than metal polishes, excluding waxes of heading no. 3404.
Common questions
What is the value of car polish imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported car polish worth $2.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 323 tonnes. That ranks it 43rd of 201 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 0% on 2023.
Which countries supply car polish to South Africa?
The United Kingdom was the largest supplier with 38% of the value ($1.1 million), followed by Germany (18%) and China (11%). The top three together account for 67%, out of 25 supplier countries in total. Taiwan grew fastest among the top ten, up 636% on the year.
What is the average import price of car polish per kg?
The average declared import value was about $8.66 per kg in 2024, 35% above the world average of $6.42 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of car polish to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $2.0 million in 2017 to $2.8 million in 2024, an increase of 43%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $2.2 million a year.
Does South Africa also export car polish?
Yes. South Africa exported $530 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Angola, Lesotho and Madagascar. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $2.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for car polish?
The HS code for car polish is subheading 3405.30. It sits in HS chapter 34 (soap, organic surface-active agents; washing, lubricating, polishing or scouring preparations; artificial or prepared waxes, candles and similar articles, modelling pastes, dental waxes and dental preparations with a basis of plaster). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3405 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for South Africa. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
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