Contact lenses imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of contact lenses by South Africa reached $10.0 million in 2024 (44 tonnes). That is 9% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2019, at $13.2 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 | $10.0M | 44 t |
| 2023 | $11.0M | 61 t |
| 2022 | $12.1M | 65 t |
| 2021 | $11.6M | 54 t |
| 2020 | $9.0M | 44 t |
| 2019 | $13.2M | 67 t |
| 2018 | $12.1M | 63 t |
| 2017 | $11.7M | 59 t |
Where South Africa imports contact lenses from
One supplier dominates: United Kingdom accounted for 69% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Germany grew fastest (+50% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $6.9M | 69% |
| Ireland | $1.0M | 10% |
| Hungary | $489K | 4.9% |
| Germany | $486K | 4.9% |
| United States | $364K | 3.6% |
| New Zealand | $225K | 2.3% |
| Singapore | $183K | 1.8% |
| Netherlands | $121K | 1.2% |
| Taiwan | $40K | 0.4% |
| Nepal | $38K | 0.4% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $230.05 per kg, 63% above the world average of $141.38. 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.
Contact lenses exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $836 thousand of contact lenses in 2024 (4 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Namibia (35%), Saudi Arabia (9%), Botswana (8%). Among the main buyer markets, United States grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $295K | 35% |
| Saudi Arabia | $76K | 9.1% |
| Botswana | $71K | 8.5% |
| United States | $70K | 8.4% |
| Eswatini | $69K | 8.3% |
| Lesotho | $61K | 7.3% |
| Mauritius | $50K | 5.9% |
| Zimbabwe | $41K | 4.9% |
| Rwanda | $30K | 3.5% |
| Australia | $19K | 2.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa contact lenses imports (HS 9001.30): 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 9001.30: Lenses, contact: unmounted, of any material, excluding elements of glass not optically worked.
Common questions
What is the value of contact lenses imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported contact lenses worth $10.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 44 tonnes. That ranks it 47th of 194 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 9% on 2023.
Which countries supply contact lenses to South Africa?
The United Kingdom was the largest supplier with 69% of the value ($6.9 million), followed by Ireland (10%) and Hungary (5%). The top three together account for 84%, out of 37 supplier countries in total. Singapore grew fastest among the top ten, up 219% on the year.
What is the average import price of contact lenses per kg?
The average declared import value was about $230.05 per kg in 2024, 63% above the world average of $141.38 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of contact lenses to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $11.7 million in 2017 to $10.0 million in 2024, a fall of 15%. The peak was 2019 at $13.2 million. Over 8 years the average was $11.3 million a year.
Does South Africa also export contact lenses?
Yes. South Africa exported $836 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Saudi Arabia and Botswana. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $9.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for contact lenses?
The HS code for contact lenses is subheading 9001.30. It sits in HS chapter 90 (optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 9001 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.
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