Other synthetic staple fabric imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $19.4 million of other synthetic staple fabric in 2024 (2.6 thousand tonnes). That is 17% 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 | $19.4M | 2.6K t |
| 2023 | $16.7M | 2.4K t |
| 2022 | $15.6M | 2.7K t |
| 2021 | $14.2M | 2.3K t |
| 2020 | $10.2M | 1.9K t |
| 2019 | $14.9M | 3.7K t |
| 2018 | $17.5M | 3.3K t |
| 2017 | $17.7M | 3.3K t |
Where South Africa imports other synthetic staple fabric from
The largest suppliers were China (45%), India (44%), Thailand (2%).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $8.7M | 45% |
| India | $8.5M | 44% |
| Thailand | $470K | 2.4% |
| Italy | $423K | 2.2% |
| United States | $350K | 1.8% |
| Eswatini | $252K | 1.3% |
| Turkey | $208K | 1.1% |
| Indonesia | $190K | 1% |
| Germany | $114K | 0.6% |
| Spain | $87K | 0.5% |
Product types under HS 5515
| 5515.11 | Fabrics, woven: of polyester staple fibres n.e.c. in chapter 55, mixed mainly or solely with viscose rayon staple fibres | 57% |
| 5515.12 | Fabrics, woven: of polyester staple fibres n.e.c. in chapter 55, mixed mainly or solely with man-made filaments | 27% |
| 5515.19 | Fabrics, woven: of polyester staple fibres n.e.c. in chapter 55, mixed mainly or solely with fibres n.e.c. in item no. 5515.1 | 6.3% |
| 5515.29 | Fabrics, woven: of acrylic or modacrylic staple fibres n.e.c. in chapter 55, mixed mainly or solely with fibres n.e.c. in item no. 5515.2 | 2.5% |
| 5515.91 | Fabrics, woven: of synthetic staple fibres n.e.c. in chapter 55, mixed mainly or solely with man-made filaments | 2.3% |
| 5515.13 | Fabrics, woven: of polyester staple fibres n.e.c. in chapter 55, mixed mainly or solely with wool or fine animal hair | 1.7% |
| 5515.99 | Fabrics, woven: of synthetic staple fibres n.e.c. in chapter 55, mixed mainly or solely with fibres n.e.c. in heading no. 5515 | 1.6% |
| 5515.21 | Fabrics, woven: of acrylic or modacrylic staple fibres n.e.c. in chapter 55, mixed mainly or solely with man-made filaments | 1.6% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 5515.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $7.59 per kg, close to the world average of $8.27.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Other synthetic staple fabric exports from South Africa
Exports of other synthetic staple fabric by South Africa reached $5.7 million in 2024 (776 tonnes). Eswatini alone took 56% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Zimbabwe grew fastest (+407% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Eswatini | $3.2M | 56% |
| Mozambique | $1.2M | 22% |
| Zimbabwe | $527K | 9.3% |
| Botswana | $327K | 5.8% |
| Namibia | $221K | 3.9% |
| Lesotho | $100K | 1.8% |
| United Kingdom | $22K | 0.4% |
| United States | $13K | 0.2% |
| Ghana | $10K | 0.2% |
| Kenya | $9K | 0.2% |
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 5515: Woven fabrics of synthetic staple fibres, n.e.c. in chapter 55.
Common questions
What is the value of other synthetic staple fabric imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported other synthetic staple fabric worth $19.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 53rd of 203 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 17% on 2023.
Which countries supply other synthetic staple fabric to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 45% of the value ($8.7 million), followed by India (44%) and Thailand (2%). The top three together account for 91%, out of 30 supplier countries in total. Eswatini grew fastest among the top ten, up 276% on the year.
What is the average import price of other synthetic staple fabric per kg?
The average declared import value was about $7.59 per kg in 2024, 8% below the world average of $8.27 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 synthetic staple fabric to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $17.7 million in 2017 to $19.4 million in 2024, an increase of 10%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export other synthetic staple fabric?
Yes. South Africa exported $5.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Eswatini, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $13.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for other synthetic staple fabric?
The HS code for other synthetic staple fabric is heading 5515. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 5515.11 (57% of the value) and 5515.12 (27%). It sits in HS chapter 55 (man-made staple fibres). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 5515 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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