Cigars imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported cigars worth $5.0 million (35 tonnes). That is 11% 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 | $5.0M | 35 t |
| 2023 | $4.5M | 37 t |
| 2022 | $3.5M | 30 t |
| 2021 | $3.5M | 29 t |
| 2020 | $3.3M | 57 t |
| 2019 | $3.5M | 53 t |
| 2018 | $3.2M | 29 t |
| 2017 | $4.2M | 59 t |
Where South Africa imports cigars from
The largest suppliers were Cuba (38%), Germany (16%), United States (11%). Among the main suppliers, Spain grew fastest (+126% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Cuba | $1.9M | 38% |
| Germany | $795K | 16% |
| United States | $529K | 11% |
| Spain | $450K | 9% |
| Dominican Republic | $345K | 6.9% |
| Belgium | $209K | 4.2% |
| Nicaragua | $192K | 3.9% |
| Switzerland | $123K | 2.5% |
| Costa Rica | $101K | 2% |
| Honduras | $84K | 1.7% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $142.66 per kg, 129% above the world average of $62.38. 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.
Cigars exports from South Africa
Exports of cigars by South Africa reached $1.0 million in 2024 (210 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Eswatini accounted for 59% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Tanzania grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Eswatini | $611K | 59% |
| Angola | $111K | 11% |
| Lesotho | $99K | 9.6% |
| Namibia | $76K | 7.3% |
| Singapore | $52K | 5% |
| Tanzania | $37K | 3.6% |
| Botswana | $34K | 3.3% |
| Kenya | $6K | 0.6% |
| Switzerland | $5K | 0.4% |
| Madagascar | $1K | 0.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa cigars imports (HS 2402.10): 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 2402.10: Cigars, cheroots and cigarillos: containing tobacco including the weight of every band, wrapper or attachment thereto.
Common questions
What is the value of cigars imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported cigars worth $5.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 35 tonnes. That ranks it 52nd of 199 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 11% on 2023.
Which countries supply cigars to South Africa?
Cuba was the largest supplier with 38% of the value ($1.9 million), followed by Germany (16%) and the United States (11%). The top three together account for 65%, out of 27 supplier countries in total. Spain grew fastest among the top ten, up 126% on the year.
What is the average import price of cigars per kg?
The average declared import value was about $142.66 per kg in 2024, 129% above the world average of $62.38 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of cigars to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $4.2 million in 2017 to $5.0 million in 2024, an increase of 19%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $3.8 million a year.
Does South Africa also export cigars?
Yes. South Africa exported $1.0 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Eswatini, Angola and Lesotho. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $4.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for cigars?
The HS code for cigars is subheading 2402.10. 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?
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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