Ceramic building bricks imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of ceramic building bricks by South Africa reached $18.3 million in 2024 (127.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 2365% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 47% 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 | $18.3M | 127.3K t |
| 2023 | $742K | 686 t |
| 2022 | $653K | 685 t |
| 2021 | $522K | 1.0K t |
| 2020 | $421K | 1.3K t |
| 2019 | $541K | 1.8K t |
| 2018 | $432K | 741 t |
| 2017 | $1.2M | 804 t |
Where South Africa imports ceramic building bricks from
One supplier dominates: Mozambique accounted for 99% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mozambique | $18.1M | 99% |
| China | $150K | 0.8% |
| India | $29K | 0.2% |
| Morocco | $8K | 0% |
| Lesotho | $6K | 0% |
| Vietnam | $6K | 0% |
| France | $3K | 0% |
| Belgium | $3K | 0% |
| Eswatini | $3K | 0% |
| Italy | $2K | 0% |
Product types under HS 6904
| 6904.90 | Ceramic flooring blocks, supports or filler tiles and the like (excluding building bricks) | 100% |
| 6904.10 | Ceramic building bricks | 0.3% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 6904.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.14 per kg, 48% below the world average of $0.27, 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.
Ceramic building bricks exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported ceramic building bricks worth $9.5 million (31.0 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Most of it went to Eswatini (28%), Namibia (19%), Botswana (14%). Among the main buyer markets, Mauritius grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Eswatini | $2.7M | 28% |
| Namibia | $1.8M | 19% |
| Botswana | $1.4M | 14% |
| Lesotho | $1.0M | 11% |
| Nigeria | $845K | 8.9% |
| United Kingdom | $477K | 5% |
| Zimbabwe | $287K | 3% |
| Mozambique | $204K | 2.1% |
| Mauritius | $179K | 1.9% |
| Zambia | $172K | 1.8% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Updated weekly on EximDataX (some markets daily), while public statistics stop at 2024.
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 6904: Ceramic building bricks, floor blocks, support or filler tiles and the like.
Common questions
What is the value of ceramic building bricks imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported ceramic building bricks worth $18.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 127.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 18th of 216 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports.
Which countries supply ceramic building bricks to South Africa?
Mozambique was the largest supplier with 99% of the value ($18.1 million), followed by China (1%) and India (0%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 26 supplier countries in total. Lesotho grew fastest among the top ten, up 629% on the year.
What is the average import price of ceramic building bricks per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.14 per kg in 2024, 48% below the world average of $0.27 per kg. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so it blends every grade and size; use it as a benchmark, not a quote. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
How have imports of ceramic building bricks to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $1.2 million in 2017 to $18.3 million in 2024. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export ceramic building bricks?
Yes. South Africa exported $9.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Eswatini, Namibia and Botswana. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $8.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for ceramic building bricks?
The HS code for ceramic building bricks is heading 6904. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 6904.90 (100% of the value) and 6904.10 (0%). It sits in HS chapter 69 (ceramic products). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 6904 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, updated weekly, so you can see the companies that ship to and from it. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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