Other headgear imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported other headgear worth $13.8 million (689 tonnes). Value rose 6% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2017, at $19.5 million.
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 | $13.8M | 689 t |
| 2023 | $13.0M | 712 t |
| 2022 | $14.7M | 529 t |
| 2021 | $14.1M | 561 t |
| 2020 | $9.1M | 431 t |
| 2019 | $13.4M | 619 t |
| 2018 | $18.2M | 563 t |
| 2017 | $19.5M | 598 t |
Where South Africa imports other headgear from
China alone supplied 55% of it. Among the main suppliers, Germany grew fastest (+98% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $7.5M | 55% |
| Germany | $994K | 7.2% |
| Italy | $907K | 6.6% |
| Mexico | $808K | 5.9% |
| India | $771K | 5.6% |
| United States | $535K | 3.9% |
| Japan | $360K | 2.6% |
| Portugal | $228K | 1.7% |
| Vietnam | $226K | 1.6% |
| United Kingdom | $196K | 1.4% |
Product types under HS 6506
| 6506.10 | Headgear: safety, whether or not lined or trimmed | 71% |
| 6506.99 | Headgear: (other than safety headgear), (of materials other than rubber or plastic), whether or not lined or trimmed | 18% |
| 6506.91 | Headgear: (other than safety headgear), of rubber or plastics, whether or not lined or trimmed | 11% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 6506.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $19.99 per kg, 28% below the world average of $27.64, 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.
Other headgear exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $6.2 million of other headgear in 2024 (230 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Namibia (12%), Botswana (12%), Israel (8%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 32%. Among the main buyer markets, Jordan grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $730K | 12% |
| Botswana | $724K | 12% |
| Israel | $520K | 8.4% |
| Mozambique | $475K | 7.7% |
| Jordan | $338K | 5.5% |
| Zimbabwe | $316K | 5.1% |
| Zambia | $307K | 5% |
| Rwanda | $279K | 4.5% |
| China | $246K | 4% |
| Saudi Arabia | $236K | 3.8% |
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 6506: Headgear; n.e.c. in chapter 65, whether or not lined or trimmed.
Common questions
What is the value of other headgear imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported other headgear worth $13.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 689 tonnes. That ranks it 51st of 224 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 6% on 2023.
Which countries supply other headgear to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 55% of the value ($7.5 million), followed by Germany (7%) and Italy (7%). The top three together account for 68%, out of 78 supplier countries in total. Germany grew fastest among the top ten, up 98% on the year.
What is the average import price of other headgear per kg?
The average declared import value was about $19.99 per kg in 2024, 28% below the world average of $27.64 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 other headgear to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $19.5 million in 2017 to $13.8 million in 2024, a fall of 29%. The peak was 2017 at $19.5 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export other headgear?
Yes. South Africa exported $6.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Botswana and Israel. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $7.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for other headgear?
The HS code for other headgear is heading 6506. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 6506.10 (71% of the value) and 6506.99 (17%). It sits in HS chapter 65 (headgear and parts thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 6506 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.
More trade data for South Africa
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