Men's cotton knit underpants imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported men's cotton knit underpants worth $15.6 million (951 tonnes). That is 10% 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 | $15.6M | 951 t |
| 2023 | $14.2M | 618 t |
| 2022 | $16.6M | 614 t |
| 2021 | $17.0M | 674 t |
| 2020 | $11.7M | 499 t |
| 2019 | $13.3M | 597 t |
| 2018 | $13.9M | 605 t |
| 2017 | $14.5M | 663 t |
Where South Africa imports men's cotton knit underpants from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 64% of the value. Among the main suppliers, India grew fastest (+115% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $10.0M | 64% |
| India | $2.5M | 16% |
| Bangladesh | $1.4M | 8.9% |
| Lesotho | $341K | 2.2% |
| Hong Kong | $280K | 1.8% |
| Chile | $232K | 1.5% |
| Vietnam | $207K | 1.3% |
| Turkey | $135K | 0.9% |
| Kenya | $87K | 0.6% |
| Myanmar | $72K | 0.5% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $16.37 per kg, 23% below the world average of $21.31, 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.
Men's cotton knit underpants exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $3.3 million of men's cotton knit underpants in 2024 (126 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Botswana (43%), Namibia (23%), Eswatini (9%). Among the main buyer markets, Botswana grew fastest (+34% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $1.4M | 43% |
| Namibia | $749K | 23% |
| Eswatini | $302K | 9.2% |
| Lesotho | $257K | 7.8% |
| Kenya | $162K | 4.9% |
| Mauritius | $112K | 3.4% |
| Zambia | $104K | 3.2% |
| Mozambique | $72K | 2.2% |
| Tanzania | $46K | 1.4% |
| Uganda | $29K | 0.9% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa men's cotton knit underpants imports (HS 6107.11): 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 6107.11: Underpants and briefs: men's or boys', of cotton, knitted or crocheted.
Common questions
What is the value of men's cotton knit underpants imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported men's cotton knit underpants worth $15.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 951 tonnes. That ranks it 42nd of 211 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 10% on 2023.
Which countries supply men's cotton knit underpants to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 64% of the value ($10.0 million), followed by India (16%) and Bangladesh (9%). The top three together account for 90%, out of 69 supplier countries in total. Kenya grew fastest among the top ten, up 201% on the year.
What is the average import price of men's cotton knit underpants per kg?
The average declared import value was about $16.37 per kg in 2024, 23% below the world average of $21.31 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of men's cotton knit underpants to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $14.5 million in 2017 to $15.6 million in 2024, an increase of 8%. The peak was 2021 at $17.0 million. Over 8 years the average was $14.6 million a year.
Does South Africa also export men's cotton knit underpants?
Yes. South Africa exported $3.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Botswana, Namibia and Eswatini. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $12.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for men's cotton knit underpants?
The HS code for men's cotton knit underpants is subheading 6107.11. It sits in HS chapter 61 (apparel and clothing accessories; knitted or crocheted). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 6107 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for South Africa. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World men's cotton knit underpants 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.