Packing sacks and bags exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of packing sacks and bags by South Africa reached $38.9 million in 2024 (16.0 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. 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 .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $38.9M | 16.0K t |
| 2023 | $35.4M | 14.6K t |
| 2022 | $43.0M | 14.7K t |
| 2021 | $36.1M | 14.0K t |
| 2020 | $29.0M | 12.0K t |
| 2019 | $35.5M | 16.8K t |
| 2018 | $38.8M | 12.8K t |
| 2017 | $28.1M | 12.0K t |
Where South Africa exports packing sacks and bags to
Most of it went to Namibia (35%), Botswana (34%), Mozambique (7%). Among the main buyer markets, Eswatini grew fastest (+106% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $13.6M | 35% |
| Botswana | $13.1M | 34% |
| Mozambique | $2.8M | 7.2% |
| Eswatini | $2.2M | 5.7% |
| Lesotho | $1.6M | 4.2% |
| Zimbabwe | $1.2M | 3.1% |
| Zambia | $1.1M | 3% |
| DR Congo | $927K | 2.4% |
| Angola | $693K | 1.8% |
| Kenya | $253K | 0.7% |
Product types under HS 6305
| 6305.90 | Sacks and bags: of a kind used for the packing of goods, of textile materials (other than jute, cotton or man-made textile materials) | 43% |
| 6305.33 | Sacks and bags: of a kind used for the packing of goods, of man-made textile materials, of polyethylene or polypropylene strip or the like, not… | 34% |
| 6305.32 | Sacks and bags: of a kind used for the packing of goods, of man-made textile materials, flexible intermediate bulk containers | 8.8% |
| 6305.10 | Sacks and bags: of a kind used for the packing of goods, of jute or of other textile bast fibres of heading no. 5303 | 6.9% |
| 6305.39 | Sacks and bags: of a kind used for the packing of goods, of man-made textile materials, not of polyethylene or polypropylene strip or the like, not… | 5.5% |
| 6305.20 | Sacks and bags: of a kind used for the packing of goods, of cotton | 1.9% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 6305.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.42 per kg, close to the world average of $2.73.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Packing sacks and bags imports to South Africa
In 2024, South Africa imported packing sacks and bags worth $38.3 million (14.7 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Most of the value came from Eswatini (47%), China (28%), India (17%). Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+197% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Eswatini | $18.0M | 47% |
| China | $10.8M | 28% |
| India | $6.5M | 17% |
| Indonesia | $671K | 1.8% |
| Thailand | $508K | 1.3% |
| Namibia | $294K | 0.8% |
| United Arab Emirates | $293K | 0.8% |
| Brazil | $167K | 0.4% |
| Romania | $118K | 0.3% |
| Mozambique | $96K | 0.3% |
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 6305: Sacks and bags, of a kind used for the packing of goods.
Common questions
What is the value of packing sacks and bags exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported packing sacks and bags worth $38.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 16.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 19th of 182 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 10% on 2023.
Which countries buy packing sacks and bags from South Africa?
Namibia was the largest buyer with 35% of the value ($13.6 million), followed by Botswana (34%) and Mozambique (7%). The top three together account for 76%, out of 77 buyer countries in total. Eswatini grew fastest among the top ten, up 106% on the year.
What is the average export price of packing sacks and bags per kg?
The average declared export value was about $2.42 per kg in 2024, 11% below the world average of $2.73 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 exports of packing sacks and bags from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $28.1 million in 2017 to $38.9 million in 2024, an increase of 39%. The peak was 2022 at $43.0 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import packing sacks and bags?
Yes. South Africa imported $38.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Eswatini, China and India. That compares with exports of $38.9 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for packing sacks and bags?
The HS code for packing sacks and bags is heading 6305. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 6305.90 (43% of the value) and 6305.33 (34%). It sits in HS chapter 63 (textiles, made up articles; sets; worn clothing and worn textile articles; rags). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 6305 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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