Folding cartons (non-corrugated) imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $58.0 million of folding cartons (non-corrugated) in 2024 (17.7 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 25% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 17% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2023, at $77.2 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 | $58.0M | 17.7K t |
| 2023 | $77.2M | 23.2K t |
| 2022 | $53.9M | 18.8K t |
| 2021 | $40.7M | 13.9K t |
| 2020 | $38.9M | 14.8K t |
| 2019 | $36.3M | 13.9K t |
| 2018 | $35.6M | 11.2K t |
| 2017 | $19.8M | 6.6K t |
Where South Africa imports folding cartons (non-corrugated) from
One supplier dominates: Netherlands accounted for 52% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Netherlands grew fastest (+33% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | $30.2M | 52% |
| Saudi Arabia | $10.4M | 18% |
| Germany | $7.1M | 12% |
| China | $3.8M | 6.5% |
| Austria | $2.3M | 3.9% |
| Jordan | $1.1M | 1.9% |
| India | $1.0M | 1.8% |
| Denmark | $464K | 0.8% |
| Switzerland | $401K | 0.7% |
| Turkey | $221K | 0.4% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.28 per kg, close to the world average of $3.03.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Folding cartons (non-corrugated) exports from South Africa
Exports of folding cartons (non-corrugated) by South Africa reached $23.3 million in 2024 (9.1 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Namibia (28%), Zambia (16%), Zimbabwe (14%). Among the main buyer markets, Botswana grew fastest (+99% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $6.5M | 28% |
| Zambia | $3.7M | 16% |
| Zimbabwe | $3.1M | 14% |
| Botswana | $2.6M | 11% |
| Eswatini | $1.8M | 7.7% |
| Lesotho | $918K | 4% |
| Malawi | $649K | 2.8% |
| Madagascar | $640K | 2.8% |
| Mozambique | $605K | 2.6% |
| Burkina Faso | $594K | 2.6% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa folding cartons (non-corrugated) imports (HS 4819.20): 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 4819.20: Paper and paperboard: folding cartons, boxes and cases, of non-corrugated paper or paperboard.
Common questions
What is the value of folding cartons (non-corrugated) imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported folding cartons (non-corrugated) worth $58.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 17.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 39th of 222 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 25% on 2023.
Which countries supply folding cartons (non-corrugated) to South Africa?
The Netherlands was the largest supplier with 52% of the value ($30.2 million), followed by Saudi Arabia (18%) and Germany (12%). The top three together account for 82%, out of 66 supplier countries in total. Turkey grew fastest among the top ten, up 206% on the year.
What is the average import price of folding cartons (non-corrugated) per kg?
The average declared import value was about $3.28 per kg in 2024, 8% above the world average of $3.03 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of folding cartons (non-corrugated) to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $19.8 million in 2017 to $58.0 million in 2024, an increase of 193%. The peak was 2023 at $77.2 million. Over 8 years the average was $45.1 million a year.
Does South Africa also export folding cartons (non-corrugated)?
Yes. South Africa exported $23.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $34.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for folding cartons (non-corrugated)?
The HS code for folding cartons (non-corrugated) is subheading 4819.20. 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 folding cartons (non-corrugated) trade: top importers and exporters
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.