Expandable polystyrene beads imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $20.1 million of expandable polystyrene beads in 2024 (12.4 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 7% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2018, at $26.0 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 | $20.1M | 12.4K t |
| 2023 | $18.8M | 12.2K t |
| 2022 | $25.1M | 13.9K t |
| 2021 | $21.9M | 13.7K t |
| 2020 | $14.0M | 12.1K t |
| 2019 | $20.7M | 15.3K t |
| 2018 | $26.0M | 15.4K t |
| 2017 | $20.1M | 12.7K t |
Where South Africa imports expandable polystyrene beads from
China alone supplied 67% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $13.5M | 67% |
| Taiwan | $5.0M | 25% |
| Netherlands | $954K | 4.8% |
| Hong Kong | $216K | 1.1% |
| South Korea | $157K | 0.8% |
| France | $78K | 0.4% |
| Turkey | $67K | 0.3% |
| Belgium | $44K | 0.2% |
| Saudi Arabia | $41K | 0.2% |
| United States | $32K | 0.2% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.62 per kg, close to the world average of $1.73.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Expandable polystyrene beads exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $387 thousand of expandable polystyrene beads in 2024 (245 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Eswatini (28%), Namibia (25%), Zimbabwe (18%). Among the main buyer markets, Botswana grew fastest (+57% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Eswatini | $108K | 28% |
| Namibia | $97K | 25% |
| Zimbabwe | $68K | 18% |
| Zambia | $59K | 15% |
| Botswana | $26K | 6.6% |
| DR Congo | $17K | 4.3% |
| Mozambique | $7K | 1.9% |
| Tanzania | $3K | 0.7% |
| Rwanda | $3K | 0.7% |
| Seychelles | $1K | 0.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa expandable polystyrene beads imports (HS 3903.11): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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.
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 3903.11: Styrene polymers: expansible polystyrene, in primary forms.
Common questions
What is the value of expandable polystyrene beads imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported expandable polystyrene beads worth $20.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 12.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 49th of 173 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 7% on 2023.
Which countries supply expandable polystyrene beads to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 67% of the value ($13.5 million), followed by Taiwan (25%) and the Netherlands (5%). The top three together account for 97%, out of 18 supplier countries in total. France grew fastest among the top ten, up 883% on the year.
What is the average import price of expandable polystyrene beads per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.62 per kg in 2024, 6% below the world average of $1.73 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of expandable polystyrene beads to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $20.1 million in 2017 to $20.1 million in 2024, a fall of 0%. The peak was 2018 at $26.0 million. Over 8 years the average was $20.8 million a year.
Does South Africa also export expandable polystyrene beads?
Yes. South Africa exported $387 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Eswatini, Namibia and Zimbabwe. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $19.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for expandable polystyrene beads?
The HS code for expandable polystyrene beads is subheading 3903.11. It sits in HS chapter 39 (plastics and articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3903 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.
Same product, other countries
World expandable polystyrene beads trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.