Man-made men's shirts imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported man-made men's shirts worth $15.0 million (2.1 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value fell 13% from 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 | $15.0M | 2.1K t |
| 2023 | $17.3M | 520 t |
| 2022 | $18.4M | 549 t |
| 2021 | $12.0M | 359 t |
| 2020 | $12.1M | 390 t |
| 2019 | $17.7M | 625 t |
| 2018 | $16.7M | 558 t |
| 2017 | $15.2M | 711 t |
Where South Africa imports man-made men's shirts from
Most of the value came from China (37%), Lesotho (21%), Bangladesh (12%). Among the main suppliers, Madagascar grew fastest (+44% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $5.5M | 37% |
| Lesotho | $3.2M | 21% |
| Bangladesh | $1.8M | 12% |
| Eswatini | $1.7M | 11% |
| Madagascar | $909K | 6.1% |
| India | $676K | 4.5% |
| Vietnam | $218K | 1.5% |
| Indonesia | $203K | 1.4% |
| Italy | $181K | 1.2% |
| Morocco | $157K | 1% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $7.05 per kg, 74% below the world average of $27.15, 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.
Man-made men's shirts exports from South Africa
Exports of man-made men's shirts by South Africa reached $4.7 million in 2024 (161 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Namibia (36%), Lesotho (15%), Botswana (14%). Among the main buyer markets, United Kingdom grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $1.7M | 36% |
| Lesotho | $720K | 15% |
| Botswana | $634K | 14% |
| Eswatini | $604K | 13% |
| Zambia | $212K | 4.5% |
| United Kingdom | $137K | 2.9% |
| Tanzania | $112K | 2.4% |
| Kenya | $75K | 1.6% |
| Papua New Guinea | $68K | 1.5% |
| Saudi Arabia | $64K | 1.4% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa man-made men's shirts imports (HS 6205.30): 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 6205.30: Shirts: men's or boys', of man-made fibres (not knitted or crocheted).
Common questions
What is the value of man-made men's shirts imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported man-made men's shirts worth $15.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 29th of 216 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 13% on 2023.
Which countries supply man-made men's shirts to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 37% of the value ($5.5 million), followed by Lesotho (21%) and Bangladesh (12%). The top three together account for 70%, out of 69 supplier countries in total. Indonesia grew fastest among the top ten, up 118% on the year.
What is the average import price of man-made men's shirts per kg?
The average declared import value was about $7.05 per kg in 2024, 74% below the world average of $27.15 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of man-made men's shirts to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $15.2 million in 2017 to $15.0 million in 2024, a fall of 1%. The peak was 2022 at $18.4 million. Over 8 years the average was $15.5 million a year.
Does South Africa also export man-made men's shirts?
Yes. South Africa exported $4.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Lesotho and Botswana. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $10.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for man-made men's shirts?
The HS code for man-made men's shirts is subheading 6205.30. It sits in HS chapter 62 (apparel and clothing accessories; not knitted or crocheted). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 6205 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
World man-made men's shirts trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
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