Paperboard boxes and cartons exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of paperboard boxes and cartons by South Africa reached $125.0 million in 2024 (87.1 thousand tonnes). That is 3% 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 | $125.0M | 87.1K t |
| 2023 | $120.9M | 75.1K t |
| 2022 | $127.8M | 81.3K t |
| 2021 | $106.5M | 70.6K t |
| 2020 | $84.9M | 66.1K t |
| 2019 | $93.7M | 66.5K t |
| 2018 | $102.5M | 62.7K t |
| 2017 | $88.7M | 62.9K t |
Where South Africa exports paperboard boxes and cartons to
The largest buyer markets were Mozambique (22%), Namibia (18%), Zimbabwe (16%).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mozambique | $27.1M | 22% |
| Namibia | $22.4M | 18% |
| Zimbabwe | $19.4M | 16% |
| Eswatini | $17.8M | 14% |
| Botswana | $15.0M | 12% |
| Zambia | $6.0M | 4.8% |
| Lesotho | $3.2M | 2.6% |
| Burkina Faso | $2.5M | 2% |
| Malawi | $2.5M | 2% |
| Madagascar | $1.5M | 1.2% |
Product types under HS 4819
| 4819.10 | Paper and paperboard: cartons, boxes and cases, of corrugated paper or paperboard | 58% |
| 4819.20 | Paper and paperboard: folding cartons, boxes and cases, of non-corrugated paper or paperboard | 19% |
| 4819.40 | Paper and paperboard: sacks and bags, including cones, of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or fibres, having a base width less than 40cm | 14% |
| 4819.30 | Paper and paperboard: sacks and bags of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or fibres, having a base of a width of 40cm or more | 4.4% |
| 4819.50 | Paper and paperboard: packing containers, including record sleeves, of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or fibres, n.e.c. in heading no. 4819 | 2.3% |
| 4819.60 | Paper and paperboard: box files, letter trays, storage boxes and similar articles, used in offices, shops or the like of paper, paperboard, cellulose… | 2.3% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 4819.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.43 per kg, 40% below the world average of $2.38, 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.
Paperboard boxes and cartons imports to South Africa
Imports of paperboard boxes and cartons by South Africa reached $90.4 million in 2024 (32.8 thousand tonnes). Most of the value came from Netherlands (34%), China (23%), Saudi Arabia (12%). Among the main suppliers, Netherlands grew fastest (+32% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | $30.9M | 34% |
| China | $20.9M | 23% |
| Saudi Arabia | $10.8M | 12% |
| Germany | $10.4M | 12% |
| Lesotho | $2.6M | 2.9% |
| Austria | $2.5M | 2.8% |
| Italy | $1.6M | 1.8% |
| India | $1.2M | 1.3% |
| Jordan | $1.1M | 1.2% |
| Spain | $950K | 1.1% |
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 4819: Cartons, boxes, cases, bags and the like, of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or fibres; box files, letter trays and the like, of paper or paperboard, of a kind used in offices, shops or the like.
Common questions
What is the value of paperboard boxes and cartons exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported paperboard boxes and cartons worth $125.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 87.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 38th of 210 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was up 3% on 2023.
Which countries buy paperboard boxes and cartons from South Africa?
Mozambique was the largest buyer with 22% of the value ($27.1 million), followed by Namibia (18%) and Zimbabwe (16%). The top three together account for 55%, out of 112 buyer countries in total. Namibia grew fastest among the top ten, up 15% on the year.
What is the average export price of paperboard boxes and cartons per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.43 per kg in 2024, 40% below the world average of $2.38 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 paperboard boxes and cartons from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $88.7 million in 2017 to $125.0 million in 2024, an increase of 41%. The peak was 2022 at $127.8 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import paperboard boxes and cartons?
Yes. South Africa imported $90.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from the Netherlands, China and Saudi Arabia. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $34.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for paperboard boxes and cartons?
The HS code for paperboard boxes and cartons is heading 4819. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 4819.10 (58% of the value) and 4819.20 (19%). It sits in HS chapter 48 (paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or paperboard). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 4819 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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