Medical dressing imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported medical dressing worth $56.5 million (3.2 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 9% 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 | $56.5M | 3.2K t |
| 2023 | $51.8M | 3.7K t |
| 2022 | $48.6M | 3.5K t |
| 2021 | $42.4M | 3.2K t |
| 2020 | $40.7M | 2.4K t |
| 2019 | $52.9M | 3.2K t |
| 2018 | $51.7M | 3.3K t |
| 2017 | $49.8M | 3.2K t |
Where South Africa imports medical dressing from
Most of the value came from China (33%), United States (12%), Germany (11%). Among the main suppliers, South Korea grew fastest (+195% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $18.8M | 33% |
| United States | $7.0M | 12% |
| Germany | $6.3M | 11% |
| United Kingdom | $4.6M | 8.1% |
| Mexico | $3.6M | 6.3% |
| Ireland | $3.1M | 5.5% |
| Spain | $2.4M | 4.2% |
| India | $2.2M | 3.9% |
| Hungary | $1.4M | 2.6% |
| South Korea | $1.0M | 1.8% |
Product types under HS 3005
| 3005.10 | Dressings, adhesive: and other articles having an adhesive layer, packed for retail sale for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary purposes | 53% |
| 3005.90 | Wadding, gauze, bandages and similar articles: (excluding adhesive dressings), impregnated or coated with pharmaceutical substances, packaged for… | 47% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3005.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $17.47 per kg, close to the world average of $16.84.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Medical dressing exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported medical dressing worth $37.2 million (2.1 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Netherlands (25%), United States (23%), Australia (16%). Among the main buyer markets, Eswatini grew fastest (+176% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | $9.2M | 25% |
| United States | $8.5M | 23% |
| Australia | $5.8M | 16% |
| Namibia | $1.6M | 4.4% |
| Botswana | $1.6M | 4.2% |
| Eswatini | $912K | 2.5% |
| United Kingdom | $808K | 2.2% |
| Slovakia | $769K | 2.1% |
| Canada | $704K | 1.9% |
| Indonesia | $565K | 1.5% |
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 3005: Wadding, gauze, bandages (dressings, adhesive plasters, poultices), impregnated or coated with pharmaceutical substances or in forms or packings for retail sale, for medical, surgical or veterinary use.
Common questions
What is the value of medical dressing imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported medical dressing worth $56.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 3.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 37th of 220 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 9% on 2023.
Which countries supply medical dressing to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 33% of the value ($18.8 million), followed by the United States (12%) and Germany (11%). The top three together account for 57%, out of 66 supplier countries in total. South Korea grew fastest among the top ten, up 195% on the year.
What is the average import price of medical dressing per kg?
The average declared import value was about $17.47 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $16.84 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 medical dressing to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $49.8 million in 2017 to $56.5 million in 2024, an increase of 13%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export medical dressing?
Yes. South Africa exported $37.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the Netherlands, the United States and Australia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $19.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for medical dressing?
The HS code for medical dressing is heading 3005. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 3005.10 (53% of the value) and 3005.90 (47%). It sits in HS chapter 30 (pharmaceutical products). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3005 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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