Expanded polystyrene film and sheet imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported expanded polystyrene film and sheet worth $2.9 million (605 tonnes). That is 22% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 7% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2018, at $7.2 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
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Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2.9M | 605 t |
| 2023 | $3.8M | 770 t |
| 2022 | $4.9M | 1.8K t |
| 2021 | $5.6M | 2.1K t |
| 2020 | $3.6M | 2.1K t |
| 2019 | $7.0M | 3.5K t |
| 2018 | $7.2M | 3.9K t |
| 2017 | $4.9M | 2.7K t |
Where South Africa imports expanded polystyrene film and sheet from
The largest suppliers were China (20%), Germany (16%), Poland (16%). Among the main suppliers, Netherlands grew fastest (+138% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $600K | 21% |
| Germany | $483K | 17% |
| Poland | $477K | 16% |
| Turkey | $386K | 13% |
| South Korea | $322K | 11% |
| Canada | $281K | 9.6% |
| Indonesia | $157K | 5.4% |
| Netherlands | $52K | 1.8% |
| France | $49K | 1.7% |
| United States | $30K | 1% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.84 per kg, 48% above the world average of $3.27. 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.
Expanded polystyrene film and sheet exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported expanded polystyrene film and sheet worth $1.0 million (399 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Eswatini (25%), Zambia (18%), Namibia (15%). Among the main buyer markets, Seychelles grew fastest (+365% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Eswatini | $260K | 25% |
| Zambia | $181K | 18% |
| Namibia | $158K | 15% |
| Botswana | $114K | 11% |
| Zimbabwe | $101K | 9.8% |
| Malawi | $57K | 5.5% |
| Lesotho | $28K | 2.7% |
| Mozambique | $26K | 2.6% |
| Seychelles | $25K | 2.4% |
| Nigeria | $17K | 1.6% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa expanded polystyrene film and sheet imports (HS 3921.11): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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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 3921.11: Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of polymers of styrene, cellular.
Common questions
What is the value of expanded polystyrene film and sheet imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported expanded polystyrene film and sheet worth $2.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 605 tonnes. That ranks it 66th of 214 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 22% on 2023.
Which countries supply expanded polystyrene film and sheet to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 20% of the value ($600 thousand), followed by Germany (16%) and Poland (16%). The top three together account for 53%, out of 30 supplier countries in total. The Netherlands grew fastest among the top ten, up 138% on the year.
What is the average import price of expanded polystyrene film and sheet per kg?
The average declared import value was about $4.84 per kg in 2024, 48% above the world average of $3.27 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of expanded polystyrene film and sheet to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $4.9 million in 2017 to $2.9 million in 2024, a fall of 41%. The peak was 2018 at $7.2 million. Over 8 years the average was $5.0 million a year.
Does South Africa also export expanded polystyrene film and sheet?
Yes. South Africa exported $1.0 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Eswatini, Zambia and Namibia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $1.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for expanded polystyrene film and sheet?
The HS code for expanded polystyrene film and sheet is subheading 3921.11. It sits in HS chapter 39 (plastics and articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3921 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 expanded polystyrene film and sheet trade: top importers and exporters
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