Cigarettes imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $89.4 million of cigarettes in 2024 (4.2 thousand tonnes). Value rose 26% on 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 | $89.4M | 4.2K t |
| 2023 | $71.0M | 3.6K t |
| 2022 | $78.6M | 4.0K t |
| 2021 | $84.6M | 4.1K t |
| 2020 | $58.4M | 3.1K t |
| 2019 | $101.9M | 4.4K t |
| 2018 | $103.3M | 3.7K t |
| 2017 | $91.6M | 3.7K t |
Where South Africa imports cigarettes from
Switzerland alone supplied 79% of it. Among the main suppliers, Philippines grew fastest (+116% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | $70.6M | 79% |
| Zimbabwe | $4.8M | 5.4% |
| Philippines | $4.4M | 5% |
| Cuba | $1.9M | 2.1% |
| Poland | $1.4M | 1.6% |
| Germany | $1.1M | 1.2% |
| Serbia | $865K | 1% |
| Tanzania | $743K | 0.8% |
| United States | $529K | 0.6% |
| Spain | $450K | 0.5% |
Product types under HS 2402
| 2402.20 | Cigarettes: containing tobacco | 94% |
| 2402.10 | Cigars, cheroots and cigarillos: containing tobacco including the weight of every band, wrapper or attachment thereto | 5.6% |
| 2402.90 | Cigars, cigarillos and cheroots: containing tobacco substitutes including the weight of every band, wrapper or attachment thereto | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2402.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $21.50 per kg, close to the world average of $22.88.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Cigarettes exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported cigarettes worth $88.5 million (6.6 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Namibia (22%), DR Congo (21%), Mozambique (15%). Among the main buyer markets, DR Congo grew fastest (+144% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $19.5M | 22% |
| DR Congo | $18.2M | 21% |
| Mozambique | $13.5M | 15% |
| Republic of the Congo | $12.1M | 14% |
| Botswana | $8.6M | 9.8% |
| Eswatini | $6.1M | 7% |
| Belgium | $1.7M | 1.9% |
| Angola | $1.6M | 1.8% |
| Zambia | $866K | 1% |
| Lesotho | $738K | 0.8% |
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 2402: Cigars, cheroots, cigarillos and cigarettes; of tobacco or of tobacco substitutes.
Common questions
What is the value of cigarettes imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported cigarettes worth $89.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 4.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 54th of 224 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 26% on 2023.
Which countries supply cigarettes to South Africa?
Switzerland was the largest supplier with 79% of the value ($70.6 million), followed by Zimbabwe (5%) and the Philippines (5%). The top three together account for 89%, out of 46 supplier countries in total. Tanzania grew fastest among the top ten, up 243% on the year.
What is the average import price of cigarettes per kg?
The average declared import value was about $21.50 per kg in 2024, 6% below the world average of $22.88 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 cigarettes to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $91.6 million in 2017 to $89.4 million in 2024, a fall of 2%. The peak was 2018 at $103.3 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export cigarettes?
Yes. South Africa exported $88.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, the DR Congo and Mozambique. That compares with imports of $89.4 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for cigarettes?
The HS code for cigarettes is heading 2402. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 2402.20 (94% of the value) and 2402.10 (6%). It sits in HS chapter 24 (tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes; products, whether or not containing nicotine, intended for inhalation without combustion; other nicotine containing products intended for the intake of nicotine into the human body). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2402 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.
More trade data for South Africa
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