Card clothing and technical fabric imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported card clothing and technical fabric worth $4.3 million (2.0 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. The value was almost unchanged from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 8% a year on average.
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 | $4.3M | 2.0K t |
| 2023 | $4.2M | 395 t |
| 2022 | $3.9M | 319 t |
| 2021 | $2.8M | 337 t |
| 2020 | $2.2M | 180 t |
| 2019 | $2.5M | 426 t |
| 2018 | $2.7M | 407 t |
| 2017 | $2.4M | 333 t |
Where South Africa imports card clothing and technical fabric from
China alone supplied 50% of it. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+139% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $2.2M | 50% |
| India | $643K | 15% |
| Germany | $363K | 8.4% |
| Israel | $336K | 7.8% |
| United Kingdom | $316K | 7.3% |
| Lithuania | $121K | 2.8% |
| Denmark | $80K | 1.9% |
| Sweden | $69K | 1.6% |
| Portugal | $40K | 0.9% |
| United States | $38K | 0.9% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.18 per kg, 84% below the world average of $14.00, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Card clothing and technical fabric exports from South Africa
Exports of card clothing and technical fabric by South Africa reached $2.7 million in 2024 (1.7 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Zimbabwe alone took 73% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Zimbabwe grew fastest (+72% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $2.0M | 73% |
| Namibia | $212K | 7.8% |
| Lesotho | $142K | 5.2% |
| Zambia | $99K | 3.7% |
| Eswatini | $61K | 2.2% |
| Israel | $38K | 1.4% |
| Angola | $36K | 1.3% |
| Botswana | $26K | 1% |
| DR Congo | $26K | 1% |
| Canada | $15K | 0.6% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa card clothing and technical fabric imports (HS 5911.10): 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 5911.10: Textile fabric, felt & felt-lined woven fabrics, coated/covered/laminated with rubber, leather or other material, for card clothing, similar fabrics used for technical purposes, including rubber impregnated narrow velvet fabrics to cover weaving spindles.
Common questions
What is the value of card clothing and technical fabric imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported card clothing and technical fabric worth $4.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 30th of 190 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 3% on 2023.
Which countries supply card clothing and technical fabric to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 50% of the value ($2.2 million), followed by India (15%) and Germany (8%). The top three together account for 74%, out of 37 supplier countries in total. Denmark grew fastest among the top ten, up 242% on the year.
What is the average import price of card clothing and technical fabric per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.18 per kg in 2024, 84% below the world average of $14.00 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of card clothing and technical fabric to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $2.4 million in 2017 to $4.3 million in 2024, an increase of 77%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $3.1 million a year.
Does South Africa also export card clothing and technical fabric?
Yes. South Africa exported $2.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zimbabwe, Namibia and Lesotho. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $1.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for card clothing and technical fabric?
The HS code for card clothing and technical fabric is subheading 5911.10. It sits in HS chapter 59 (textile fabrics; impregnated, coated, covered or laminated; textile articles of a kind suitable for industrial use). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 5911 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
World card clothing and technical fabric trade: top importers and exporters
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