Coated paper imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $204.9 million of coated paper in 2024 (215.6 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 22% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $269.9 million.
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 | $204.9M | 215.6K t |
| 2023 | $168.6M | 155.9K t |
| 2022 | $269.9M | 272.3K t |
| 2021 | $197.8M | 207.5K t |
| 2020 | $162.7M | 181.4K t |
| 2019 | $224.1M | 254.9K t |
| 2018 | $232.8M | 245.7K t |
| 2017 | $211.7M | 236.5K t |
Where South Africa imports coated paper from
Most of the value came from China (25%), Finland (19%), South Korea (9%). Among the main suppliers, Sweden grew fastest (+118% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $51.2M | 25% |
| Finland | $38.3M | 19% |
| South Korea | $17.6M | 8.6% |
| Germany | $15.3M | 7.5% |
| Austria | $13.3M | 6.5% |
| Sweden | $12.8M | 6.2% |
| Brazil | $12.8M | 6.2% |
| India | $9.2M | 4.5% |
| Indonesia | $6.1M | 3% |
| Chile | $5.1M | 2.5% |
Product types under HS 4810
| 4810.92 | Paper and paperboard: multi-ply, coated with kaolin or other inorganic substances only, for non-graphic purposes, n.e.c. in heading no. 4810, in… | 36% |
| 4810.29 | Paper and paperboard: coated with kaolin or other inorganic substances only, having more than 10% of mechanically processed fibres, (excluding… | 18% |
| 4810.13 | Paper and paperboard: coated with kaolin or other inorganic substances, for printing & writing, graphics, containing no, or not more than 10% by… | 15% |
| 4810.19 | Paper and paperboard: coated with kaolin or other inorganic substances, for printing/writing/graphics, having 10% or less by weight of total fibres… | 13% |
| 4810.22 | Paper and paperboard: coated with kaolin or other inorganic substances only, having more than 10% of mechanical or chemi-mechanical processed fibres… | 6.9% |
| 4810.32 | Kraft paper and paperboard: uniformly bleached throughout, coated with inorganic substances, more than 95% of chemically processed wood fibres… | 3.9% |
| 4810.99 | Paper and paperboard: coated with inorganic substances only, whether or not surface-coloured, surface-decorated or printed, n.e.c. in heading no.… | 3.8% |
| 4810.39 | Kraft paper and paperboard: coated with kaolin or other inorganic substances only, for non-graphic purposes, n.e.c. in item no. 4810.31 and 4810.32… | 3.7% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 4810.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.95 per kg, close to the world average of $0.99.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Coated paper exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $17.2 million of coated paper in 2024 (13.7 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Zimbabwe (35%), Zambia (13%), Namibia (11%). Among the main buyer markets, United States grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $6.1M | 35% |
| Zambia | $2.2M | 13% |
| Namibia | $1.8M | 11% |
| Botswana | $1.3M | 7.3% |
| Eswatini | $1.1M | 6.1% |
| United States | $1.0M | 5.8% |
| Malawi | $892K | 5.2% |
| Mauritius | $663K | 3.9% |
| Mozambique | $597K | 3.5% |
| United Kingdom | $489K | 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 4810: Paper and paperboard, coated one or both sides with kaolin (china clay) or inorganic substances, with binder or not, no other coating, surface coloured or not, surface decorated or printed, in rolls or rectangular (including square) sheets, of any size.
Common questions
What is the value of coated paper imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported coated paper worth $204.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 215.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 32nd of 220 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 22% on 2023.
Which countries supply coated paper to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 25% of the value ($51.2 million), followed by Finland (19%) and South Korea (9%). The top three together account for 52%, out of 54 supplier countries in total. Sweden grew fastest among the top ten, up 118% on the year.
What is the average import price of coated paper per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.95 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $0.99 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 coated paper to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $211.7 million in 2017 to $204.9 million in 2024, a fall of 3%. The peak was 2022 at $269.9 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export coated paper?
Yes. South Africa exported $17.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $187.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for coated paper?
The HS code for coated paper is heading 4810. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 4810.92 (36% of the value) and 4810.29 (18%). It sits in HS chapter 48 (paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or paperboard). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 4810 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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