Coated steel strips imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of coated steel strips by South Africa reached $21.2 million in 2024 (17.8 thousand tonnes). That is 73% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 6% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $32.9 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 | $21.2M | 17.8K t |
| 2023 | $12.3M | 63.3K t |
| 2022 | $18.6M | 11.8K t |
| 2021 | $24.8M | 17.9K t |
| 2020 | $13.9M | 10.7K t |
| 2019 | $18.4M | 13.2K t |
| 2018 | $23.8M | 17.3K t |
| 2017 | $32.9M | 31.0K t |
Where South Africa imports coated steel strips from
China alone supplied 71% of it. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+113% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $15.0M | 71% |
| Germany | $2.6M | 12% |
| Australia | $1.3M | 6.1% |
| South Korea | $1.1M | 5.1% |
| Netherlands | $727K | 3.4% |
| India | $217K | 1% |
| United States | $96K | 0.5% |
| Sweden | $43K | 0.2% |
| Spain | $42K | 0.2% |
| Turkey | $36K | 0.2% |
Product types under HS 7212
| 7212.30 | Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, plated or coated with zinc (not electrolytically) | 34% |
| 7212.50 | Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, plated or coated, (excluding tin, zinc or plastic) | 22% |
| 7212.40 | Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, painted, varnished or coated with plastics | 21% |
| 7212.60 | Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, clad | 17% |
| 7212.10 | Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, plated or coated with tin | 4.8% |
| 7212.20 | Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, of a width less than 600mm, electrolytically plated or coated with zinc | 2.2% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 7212.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.19 per kg, close to the world average of $1.22.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Coated steel strips exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $7.6 million of coated steel strips in 2024 (3.4 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Angola (40%), Namibia (13%), Zimbabwe (13%). Among the main buyer markets, Saudi Arabia grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Angola | $3.0M | 40% |
| Namibia | $1.0M | 13% |
| Zimbabwe | $965K | 13% |
| Philippines | $506K | 6.7% |
| DR Congo | $352K | 4.7% |
| Botswana | $310K | 4.1% |
| Zambia | $286K | 3.8% |
| Eswatini | $269K | 3.6% |
| Mozambique | $161K | 2.1% |
| Saudi Arabia | $155K | 2.1% |
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 7212: Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled products, width less than 600mm, clad, plated or coated.
Common questions
What is the value of coated steel strips imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported coated steel strips worth $21.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 17.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 45th of 213 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 73% on 2023.
Which countries supply coated steel strips to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 71% of the value ($15.0 million), followed by Germany (12%) and Australia (6%). The top three together account for 89%, out of 35 supplier countries in total. Turkey grew fastest among the top ten, up 310% on the year.
What is the average import price of coated steel strips per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.19 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $1.22 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 steel strips to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $32.9 million in 2017 to $21.2 million in 2024, a fall of 36%. The peak was 2017 at $32.9 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export coated steel strips?
Yes. South Africa exported $7.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $13.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for coated steel strips?
The HS code for coated steel strips is heading 7212. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 7212.30 (34% of the value) and 7212.50 (22%). It sits in HS chapter 72 (iron and steel). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7212 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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