Coal tar oil imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported coal tar oil worth $94.7 million (113.0 thousand tonnes). That is 11% less 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 | $94.7M | 113.0K t |
| 2023 | $106.0M | 152.6K t |
| 2022 | $58.6M | 60.2K t |
| 2021 | $69.4M | 104.1K t |
| 2020 | $40.8M | 93.2K t |
| 2019 | $58.6M | 90.5K t |
| 2018 | $60.3M | 74.9K t |
| 2017 | $93.7M | 193.1K t |
Where South Africa imports coal tar oil from
Most of the value came from Netherlands (43%), South Korea (23%), United States (8%). Among the main suppliers, Netherlands grew fastest (+712% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | $40.4M | 43% |
| South Korea | $22.2M | 23% |
| United States | $7.7M | 8.1% |
| Tanzania | $5.8M | 6.2% |
| Mozambique | $4.3M | 4.5% |
| Belgium | $2.7M | 2.8% |
| Thailand | $2.4M | 2.6% |
| Germany | $1.7M | 1.8% |
| Israel | $1.6M | 1.7% |
| Taiwan | $1.6M | 1.7% |
Product types under HS 2707
| 2707.99 | Oils and other products of the distillation of high temperature coal tar: n.e.c. in heading no. 2707 | 73% |
| 2707.40 | Oils and products of the distillation of high temperature coal tar: naphthalene | 12% |
| 2707.50 | Aromatic hydrocarbon mixtures: n.e.c. in heading no. 2707, of which 65% or more by volume (including losses) distils at 250 degrees Celsius by the… | 9.5% |
| 2707.30 | Oils and products of the distillation of high temperature coal tar: xylol (xylenes) | 5.7% |
| 2707.10 | Oils and products of the distillation of high temperature coal tar: benzol (benzene) | 0% |
| 2707.20 | Oils and products of the distillation of high temperature coal tar: toluol (toluene) | 0% |
| 2707.91 | Oils and other products of the distillation of high temperature coal tar: creosote oils | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2707.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.84 per kg, close to the world average of $0.71.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Coal tar oil exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $40.0 million of coal tar oil in 2024 (41.3 thousand tonnes). United States alone took 54% of it. Among the main buyer markets, France grew fastest (+87% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $21.7M | 54% |
| Zimbabwe | $2.0M | 5.1% |
| France | $2.0M | 4.9% |
| Indonesia | $1.9M | 4.7% |
| Taiwan | $1.9M | 4.6% |
| India | $1.7M | 4.2% |
| Netherlands | $1.1M | 2.7% |
| Japan | $1.1M | 2.7% |
| Uganda | $1.0M | 2.6% |
| Eswatini | $973K | 2.4% |
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 2707: Oils and other products of the distillation of high temperature coal tar; similar products in which the weight of the aromatic constituents exceeds that of the non-aromatic constituents.
Common questions
What is the value of coal tar oil imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported coal tar oil worth $94.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 113.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 39th of 182 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 11% on 2023.
Which countries supply coal tar oil to South Africa?
The Netherlands was the largest supplier with 43% of the value ($40.4 million), followed by South Korea (23%) and the United States (8%). The top three together account for 74%, out of 31 supplier countries in total. The Netherlands grew fastest among the top ten, up 712% on the year.
What is the average import price of coal tar oil per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.84 per kg in 2024, 18% above the world average of $0.71 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 coal tar oil to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $93.7 million in 2017 to $94.7 million in 2024, an increase of 1%. The peak was 2023 at $106.0 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export coal tar oil?
Yes. South Africa exported $40.0 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the United States, Zimbabwe and France. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $54.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for coal tar oil?
The HS code for coal tar oil is heading 2707. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 2707.99 (73% of the value) and 2707.40 (12%). It sits in HS chapter 27 (mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2707 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
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