Leather bags and cases imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of leather bags and cases by South Africa reached $244.4 million in 2024 (68.8 thousand tonnes). Value rose 10% on 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 | $244.4M | 68.8K t |
| 2023 | $222.9M | 47.4K t |
| 2022 | $232.4M | 41.3K t |
| 2021 | $178.9M | 31.7K t |
| 2020 | $142.2M | 27.7K t |
| 2019 | $220.9M | 23.4K t |
| 2018 | $229.2M | 26.6K t |
| 2017 | $205.0M | 23.6K t |
Where South Africa imports leather bags and cases from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 74% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Vietnam grew fastest (+44% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $180.7M | 74% |
| Vietnam | $11.6M | 4.8% |
| Italy | $10.6M | 4.4% |
| France | $10.2M | 4.2% |
| Indonesia | $7.5M | 3.1% |
| India | $6.9M | 2.8% |
| Cambodia | $2.6M | 1.1% |
| Bangladesh | $2.4M | 1% |
| Spain | $1.7M | 0.7% |
| Germany | $1.6M | 0.7% |
Product types under HS 4202
| 4202.92 | Cases and containers: n.e.c. in heading 4202, with outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials | 37% |
| 4202.22 | Cases and containers: handbags (whether or not with shoulder strap and including those without handle), with outer surface of sheeting of plastics or… | 23% |
| 4202.12 | Cases and containers: trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases, executive-cases, brief-cases, school satchels and similar containers, with outer surface of… | 16% |
| 4202.21 | Cases and containers: handbags (whether or not with shoulder strap and including those without handle), with outer surface of leather or of… | 7.3% |
| 4202.99 | Cases and containers: n.e.c. in heading 4202, of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard, or wholly or mainly covered with such materials or with paper | 5.1% |
| 4202.29 | Cases and containers: handbags (whether or not with shoulder strap and including those without handle), of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard, or… | 3.3% |
| 4202.32 | Cases and containers: of a kind normally carried in the pocket or in the handbag, with outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials | 2.6% |
| 4202.31 | Cases and containers: of a kind normally carried in the pocket or in the handbag, with outer surface of leather or of composition leather | 1.8% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 4202.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.55 per kg, 82% below the world average of $20.00, 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.
Leather bags and cases exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported leather bags and cases worth $46.1 million (4.4 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Namibia (27%), Botswana (19%), France (17%). Among the main buyer markets, Italy grew fastest (+72% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $12.4M | 27% |
| Botswana | $8.6M | 19% |
| France | $7.7M | 17% |
| Eswatini | $3.1M | 6.8% |
| Zambia | $2.6M | 5.6% |
| Lesotho | $2.1M | 4.6% |
| United States | $1.8M | 3.8% |
| Mozambique | $1.2M | 2.6% |
| Italy | $888K | 1.9% |
| DR Congo | $446K | 1% |
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 4202: Trunks; suit, camera, jewellery, cutlery cases; travel, tool, similar bags; wholly or mainly covered by leather, composition leather, plastic sheeting, textile materials, vulcanised fibre, paperboard.
Common questions
What is the value of leather bags and cases imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported leather bags and cases worth $244.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 68.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 47th of 224 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 10% on 2023.
Which countries supply leather bags and cases to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 74% of the value ($180.7 million), followed by Vietnam (5%) and Italy (4%). The top three together account for 83%, out of 134 supplier countries in total. Vietnam grew fastest among the top ten, up 44% on the year.
What is the average import price of leather bags and cases per kg?
The average declared import value was about $3.55 per kg in 2024, 82% below the world average of $20.00 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 leather bags and cases to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $205.0 million in 2017 to $244.4 million in 2024, an increase of 19%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export leather bags and cases?
Yes. South Africa exported $46.1 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Botswana and France. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $198.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for leather bags and cases?
The HS code for leather bags and cases is heading 4202. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 4202.92 (37% of the value) and 4202.22 (23%). It sits in HS chapter 42 (articles of leather; saddlery and harness; travel goods, handbags and similar containers; articles of animal gut (other than silk-worm gut)). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 4202 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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