Plastic and rubber molds (other types) imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $17.3 million of plastic and rubber molds (other types) in 2024 (1.5 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value fell 8% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 7% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2020, at $30.7 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 | $17.3M | 1.5K t |
| 2023 | $18.8M | 1.3K t |
| 2022 | $23.7M | 1.1K t |
| 2021 | $18.4M | 1.9K t |
| 2020 | $30.7M | 2.1K t |
| 2019 | $15.3M | 2.2K t |
| 2018 | $16.9M | 1.3K t |
| 2017 | $28.7M | 1.9K t |
Where South Africa imports plastic and rubber molds (other types) from
Most of the value came from China (43%), Germany (16%), Taiwan (9%). Among the main suppliers, United States grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $7.4M | 43% |
| Germany | $2.8M | 16% |
| Taiwan | $1.5M | 8.8% |
| Italy | $1.3M | 7.3% |
| India | $1.1M | 6.1% |
| United States | $529K | 3.1% |
| Singapore | $443K | 2.6% |
| Thailand | $425K | 2.5% |
| Turkey | $409K | 2.4% |
| Japan | $389K | 2.2% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $11.31 per kg, 49% below the world average of $22.20, 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.
Plastic and rubber molds (other types) exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $2.4 million of plastic and rubber molds (other types) in 2024 (245 tonnes). Most of it went to Zimbabwe (23%), Netherlands (10%), Saudi Arabia (9%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 42%. Among the main buyer markets, Mauritius grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $537K | 23% |
| Netherlands | $239K | 10% |
| Saudi Arabia | $213K | 9% |
| Angola | $141K | 6% |
| Mauritius | $120K | 5.1% |
| Tanzania | $94K | 4% |
| Namibia | $94K | 4% |
| United States | $85K | 3.6% |
| Malaysia | $71K | 3% |
| Mozambique | $69K | 2.9% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa plastic and rubber molds (other types) imports (HS 8480.79): 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 8480.79: Moulds: for rubber or plastics, other than injection or compression types.
Common questions
What is the value of plastic and rubber molds (other types) imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported plastic and rubber molds (other types) worth $17.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 36th of 200 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 8% on 2023.
Which countries supply plastic and rubber molds (other types) to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 43% of the value ($7.4 million), followed by Germany (16%) and Taiwan (9%). The top three together account for 68%, out of 44 supplier countries in total. Taiwan grew fastest among the top ten, up 656% on the year.
What is the average import price of plastic and rubber molds (other types) per kg?
The average declared import value was about $11.31 per kg in 2024, 49% below the world average of $22.20 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of plastic and rubber molds (other types) to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $28.7 million in 2017 to $17.3 million in 2024, a fall of 40%. The peak was 2020 at $30.7 million. Over 8 years the average was $21.2 million a year.
Does South Africa also export plastic and rubber molds (other types)?
Yes. South Africa exported $2.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zimbabwe, the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $15.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for plastic and rubber molds (other types)?
The HS code for plastic and rubber molds (other types) is subheading 8480.79. It sits in HS chapter 84 (machinery and mechanical appliances, boilers, nuclear reactors; parts thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8480 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For South Africa, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World plastic and rubber molds (other types) 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.