Hair accessories imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of hair accessories by South Africa reached $8.0 million in 2024 (2.5 thousand tonnes). That is 26% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
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 | $8.0M | 2.5K t |
| 2023 | $6.4M | 2.7K t |
| 2022 | $7.0M | 1.9K t |
| 2021 | $6.3M | 1.5K t |
| 2020 | $4.2M | 898 t |
| 2019 | $5.1M | 1.0K t |
| 2018 | $5.6M | 959 t |
| 2017 | $4.8M | 851 t |
Where South Africa imports hair accessories from
China alone supplied 96% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $7.7M | 96% |
| Thailand | $54K | 0.7% |
| United States | $47K | 0.6% |
| Germany | $40K | 0.5% |
| Hong Kong | $25K | 0.3% |
| Italy | $21K | 0.3% |
| India | $17K | 0.2% |
| Taiwan | $16K | 0.2% |
| United Kingdom | $12K | 0.2% |
| Pakistan | $10K | 0.1% |
Product types under HS 9615
| 9615.90 | Hairpins, curling pins, curling grips, hair curlers and the like (not those of heading no. 8516) and parts thereof | 41% |
| 9615.11 | Combs, hair slides and the like: of hard rubber or plastics | 36% |
| 9615.19 | Combs, hair slides and the like: of other than hard rubber or plastics | 23% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 9615.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.17 per kg, 66% below the world average of $9.31, 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.
Hair accessories exports from South Africa
Exports of hair accessories by South Africa reached $864 thousand in 2024 (175 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Namibia (30%), Botswana (16%), Lesotho (9%). Among the main buyer markets, Germany grew fastest (+264% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $255K | 30% |
| Botswana | $135K | 16% |
| Lesotho | $76K | 8.8% |
| Germany | $73K | 8.5% |
| Eswatini | $70K | 8.1% |
| Mozambique | $42K | 4.8% |
| Netherlands | $29K | 3.4% |
| Zambia | $29K | 3.3% |
| United States | $25K | 2.9% |
| Australia | $24K | 2.8% |
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 9615: Combs, hair-slides and similar; hairpins, curling pins, curling grips and hair curlers and the like, other than those of heading no. 8516 and parts thereof.
Common questions
What is the value of hair accessories imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported hair accessories worth $8.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 57th of 219 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 26% on 2023.
Which countries supply hair accessories to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 96% of the value ($7.7 million), followed by Thailand (1%) and the United States (1%). The top three together account for 98%, out of 54 supplier countries in total. Taiwan grew fastest among the top ten, up 307% on the year.
What is the average import price of hair accessories per kg?
The average declared import value was about $3.17 per kg in 2024, 66% below the world average of $9.31 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 hair accessories to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $4.8 million in 2017 to $8.0 million in 2024, an increase of 68%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export hair accessories?
Yes. South Africa exported $864 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Botswana and Lesotho. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $7.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for hair accessories?
The HS code for hair accessories is heading 9615. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 9615.90 (41% of the value) and 9615.11 (36%). It sits in HS chapter 96 (miscellaneous manufactured articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 9615 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, updated weekly, so you can see the companies that ship to and from it. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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