Engineering plastic imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of engineering plastic by South Africa reached $205.1 million in 2024 (125.6 thousand tonnes). The value was almost unchanged from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2018, at $343.9 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 | $205.1M | 125.6K t |
| 2023 | $206.6M | 109.8K t |
| 2022 | $272.5M | 207.8K t |
| 2021 | $273.6M | 137.8K t |
| 2020 | $174.4M | 129.8K t |
| 2019 | $232.5M | 157.3K t |
| 2018 | $343.9M | 207.0K t |
| 2017 | $259.6M | 175.4K t |
Where South Africa imports engineering plastic from
Most of the value came from China (24%), Germany (12%), United States (7%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 42%.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $48.6M | 24% |
| Germany | $24.1M | 12% |
| United States | $13.8M | 6.8% |
| Netherlands | $12.6M | 6.2% |
| Taiwan | $11.6M | 5.6% |
| Spain | $9.5M | 4.6% |
| Saudi Arabia | $9.1M | 4.4% |
| South Korea | $8.6M | 4.2% |
| Belgium | $8.5M | 4.1% |
| Italy | $7.3M | 3.6% |
Product types under HS 3907
| 3907.20 | Polyethers: in primary forms, excluding polyacetals | 40% |
| 3907.61 | Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity of 78ml/g or higher | 18% |
| 3907.30 | Epoxide resins: in primary forms | 12% |
| 3907.99 | Polyesters: n.e.c. in heading no. 3907, saturated, in primary forms | 12% |
| 3907.40 | Polycarbonates: in primary forms | 9.8% |
| 3907.91 | Polyesters: n.e.c. in heading no. 3907, unsaturated, in primary forms | 2.8% |
| 3907.10 | Polyacetals: in primary forms | 2.7% |
| 3907.69 | Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity of less than 78ml/g | 1.7% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3907.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.63 per kg, close to the world average of $1.89.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Engineering plastic exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported engineering plastic worth $60.1 million (36.6 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Zimbabwe (25%), Botswana (11%), Zambia (11%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 46%. Among the main buyer markets, United Arab Emirates grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $14.9M | 25% |
| Botswana | $6.5M | 11% |
| Zambia | $6.4M | 11% |
| United States | $4.1M | 6.7% |
| Namibia | $2.9M | 4.8% |
| United Arab Emirates | $2.8M | 4.6% |
| Mauritius | $2.1M | 3.5% |
| Mozambique | $2.0M | 3.3% |
| DR Congo | $1.9M | 3.2% |
| India | $1.8M | 3% |
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 3907: Polyacetals, other polyethers and epoxide resins, in primary forms; polycarbonates, alkyd resins, polyallyl esters and other polyesters, in primary forms.
Common questions
What is the value of engineering plastic imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported engineering plastic worth $205.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 125.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 55th of 218 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 1% on 2023.
Which countries supply engineering plastic to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 24% of the value ($48.6 million), followed by Germany (12%) and the United States (7%). The top three together account for 42%, out of 63 supplier countries in total. South Korea grew fastest among the top ten, up 24% on the year.
What is the average import price of engineering plastic per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.63 per kg in 2024, 14% below the world average of $1.89 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 engineering plastic to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $259.6 million in 2017 to $205.1 million in 2024, a fall of 21%. The peak was 2018 at $343.9 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export engineering plastic?
Yes. South Africa exported $60.1 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $145.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for engineering plastic?
The HS code for engineering plastic is heading 3907. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 3907.20 (40% of the value) and 3907.61 (18%). It sits in HS chapter 39 (plastics and articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3907 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
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