Chemical product imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $459.2 million of chemical product in 2024 (88.5 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 9% more than in 2023. 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 | $459.2M | 88.5K t |
| 2023 | $420.8M | 86.5K t |
| 2022 | $396.5M | 84.5K t |
| 2021 | $357.8M | 97.8K t |
| 2020 | $297.6M | 81.3K t |
| 2019 | $343.8M | 93.2K t |
| 2018 | $355.3M | 91.2K t |
| 2017 | $329.2M | 78.5K t |
Where South Africa imports chemical product from
Most of the value came from Eswatini (41%), China (25%), Germany (8%). Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+51% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Eswatini | $189.3M | 41% |
| China | $114.5M | 25% |
| Germany | $36.7M | 8% |
| United States | $25.9M | 5.7% |
| Netherlands | $10.5M | 2.3% |
| India | $10.2M | 2.2% |
| United Kingdom | $9.9M | 2.2% |
| France | $7.1M | 1.5% |
| Belgium | $6.5M | 1.4% |
| Spain | $6.2M | 1.3% |
Product types under HS 3824
| 3824.99 | Chemical products, mixtures and preparations: n.e.c. heading 3824 | 93% |
| 3824.40 | Cements, mortars or concretes: their prepared additives | 2.5% |
| 3824.78 | Mixtures containing halogenated derivatives of methane, ethane or propane: containing perfluorocarbons (PFCs) or hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), but not… | 2.3% |
| 3824.10 | Binders, prepared: for foundry moulds or cores | 0.8% |
| 3824.60 | Sorbitol: other than that of subheading no. 2905.44 | 0.7% |
| 3824.50 | Mortars and concretes: non-refractory | 0.2% |
| 3824.30 | Metal carbides, non-agglomerated: mixed together or with metallic binders | 0.2% |
| 3824.91 | Chemical products, mixtures and preparations: consisting mainly of (5-ethyl-2-methyl-2-oxido-1,3,2-dioxaphosphinan-5-yl)methyl methylphosphonate and… | 0.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3824.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $5.19 per kg, 135% above the world average of $2.21. 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.
Chemical product exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $204.3 million of chemical product in 2024 (159.4 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Zambia (15%), Namibia (11%), DR Congo (8%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 34%. Among the main buyer markets, Chile grew fastest (+234% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $29.7M | 15% |
| Namibia | $21.7M | 11% |
| DR Congo | $17.2M | 8.4% |
| Mozambique | $14.3M | 7% |
| Australia | $12.2M | 6% |
| Botswana | $11.6M | 5.7% |
| Zimbabwe | $11.1M | 5.4% |
| Chile | $9.3M | 4.6% |
| Ghana | $7.7M | 3.8% |
| Lesotho | $5.6M | 2.8% |
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 3824: Prepared binders for foundry moulds or cores; chemical products and preparations of the chemical or allied industries (including those consisting of mixtures of natural products), not elsewhere specified or included.
Common questions
What is the value of chemical product imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported chemical product worth $459.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 88.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 32nd of 223 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 9% on 2023.
Which countries supply chemical product to South Africa?
Eswatini was the largest supplier with 41% of the value ($189.3 million), followed by China (25%) and Germany (8%). The top three together account for 74%, out of 80 supplier countries in total. China grew fastest among the top ten, up 51% on the year.
What is the average import price of chemical product per kg?
The average declared import value was about $5.19 per kg in 2024, 135% above the world average of $2.21 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 chemical product to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $329.2 million in 2017 to $459.2 million in 2024, an increase of 39%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export chemical product?
Yes. South Africa exported $204.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zambia, Namibia and the DR Congo. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $254.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for chemical product?
The HS code for chemical product is heading 3824. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 3824.99 (93% of the value) and 3824.40 (2%). It sits in HS chapter 38 (chemical products n.e.c.). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3824 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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