Corrugated cardboard boxes and cartons exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of corrugated cardboard boxes and cartons by South Africa reached $72.4 million in 2024 (64.8 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. That is close to the 2023 level. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $72.4M | 64.8K t |
| 2023 | $73.8M | 52.7K t |
| 2022 | $72.4M | 54.7K t |
| 2021 | $61.0M | 47.9K t |
| 2020 | $46.1M | 44.0K t |
| 2019 | $51.3M | 42.2K t |
| 2018 | $57.6M | 39.1K t |
| 2017 | $52.5M | 42.7K t |
Where South Africa exports corrugated cardboard boxes and cartons to
The largest buyer markets were Mozambique (31%), Zimbabwe (21%), Eswatini (18%).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mozambique | $22.6M | 31% |
| Zimbabwe | $15.0M | 21% |
| Eswatini | $12.9M | 18% |
| Botswana | $7.0M | 9.6% |
| Namibia | $5.6M | 7.7% |
| Malawi | $1.6M | 2.3% |
| Lesotho | $1.6M | 2.2% |
| Zambia | $1.1M | 1.5% |
| Burkina Faso | $893K | 1.2% |
| Madagascar | $871K | 1.2% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.12 per kg, 32% below the world average of $1.65, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Corrugated cardboard boxes and cartons imports to South Africa
Imports of corrugated cardboard boxes and cartons by South Africa reached $13.3 million in 2024 (8.6 thousand tonnes). Most of the value came from China (47%), Lesotho (19%), Vietnam (5%). Among the main suppliers, Saudi Arabia grew fastest (+186% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $6.3M | 48% |
| Lesotho | $2.6M | 19% |
| Vietnam | $663K | 5% |
| Spain | $420K | 3.2% |
| Saudi Arabia | $415K | 3.1% |
| Germany | $352K | 2.6% |
| Thailand | $268K | 2% |
| United Arab Emirates | $254K | 1.9% |
| United Kingdom | $253K | 1.9% |
| Zimbabwe | $252K | 1.9% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa corrugated cardboard boxes and cartons exports (HS 4819.10): 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 4819.10: Paper and paperboard: cartons, boxes and cases, of corrugated paper or paperboard.
Common questions
What is the value of corrugated cardboard boxes and cartons exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported corrugated cardboard boxes and cartons worth $72.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 64.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 25th of 192 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was down 2% on 2023.
Which countries buy corrugated cardboard boxes and cartons from South Africa?
Mozambique was the largest buyer with 31% of the value ($22.6 million), followed by Zimbabwe (21%) and Eswatini (18%). The top three together account for 70%, out of 95 buyer countries in total. Eswatini grew fastest among the top ten, up 12% on the year.
What is the average export price of corrugated cardboard boxes and cartons per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.12 per kg in 2024, 32% below the world average of $1.65 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have exports of corrugated cardboard boxes and cartons from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $52.5 million in 2017 to $72.4 million in 2024, an increase of 38%. The peak was 2023 at $73.8 million. Over 8 years the average was $60.9 million a year.
Does South Africa also import corrugated cardboard boxes and cartons?
Yes. South Africa imported $13.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, Lesotho and Vietnam. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $59.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for corrugated cardboard boxes and cartons?
The HS code for corrugated cardboard boxes and cartons is subheading 4819.10. 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 4819 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For South Africa, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World corrugated cardboard boxes and cartons trade: top importers and exporters
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