Plastic bottle exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $224.2 million of plastic bottle in 2024 (163.1 thousand tonnes). That is 13% 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 | $224.2M | 163.1K t |
| 2023 | $199.0M | 122.6K t |
| 2022 | $248.8M | 118.6K t |
| 2021 | $213.8M | 94.1K t |
| 2020 | $166.3M | 72.4K t |
| 2019 | $192.5M | 76.2K t |
| 2018 | $208.4M | 74.0K t |
| 2017 | $183.4M | 78.9K t |
Where South Africa exports plastic bottle to
Most of it went to Namibia (20%), Zimbabwe (14%), Botswana (10%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 44%. Among the main buyer markets, Lesotho grew fastest (+35% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $44.3M | 20% |
| Zimbabwe | $30.8M | 14% |
| Botswana | $23.0M | 10% |
| Eswatini | $19.9M | 8.9% |
| Mozambique | $19.4M | 8.7% |
| Zambia | $18.7M | 8.3% |
| United States | $11.2M | 5% |
| Lesotho | $10.3M | 4.6% |
| Malawi | $5.2M | 2.3% |
| DR Congo | $4.6M | 2% |
Product types under HS 3923
| 3923.90 | Plastics: articles for the conveyance or packing of goods n.e.c. in heading no. 3923 | 21% |
| 3923.10 | Plastics: boxes, cases, crates and similar articles for the conveyance or packing of goods | 19% |
| 3923.30 | Plastics: carboys, bottles, flasks and similar articles, for the conveyance or packing of goods | 17% |
| 3923.50 | Plastics: stoppers, lids, caps and other closures, for the conveyance or packing of goods | 17% |
| 3923.21 | Ethylene polymers: sacks and bags (including cones), for the conveyance or packing of goods | 16% |
| 3923.29 | Plastics: sacks and bags (including cones), for the conveyance or packing of goods, of plastics other than ethylene polymers | 9.6% |
| 3923.40 | Plastics: spools, cops, bobbins and similar supports, for the conveyance or packing of goods | 1.2% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3923.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.37 per kg, 65% below the world average of $3.90, 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 bottle imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $212.5 million of plastic bottle in 2024 (55.8 thousand tonnes). Most of the value came from China (27%), Germany (9%), Italy (8%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 44%. Among the main suppliers, Switzerland grew fastest (+33% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $56.4M | 27% |
| Germany | $19.9M | 9.4% |
| Italy | $18.0M | 8.5% |
| Spain | $17.2M | 8.1% |
| India | $8.2M | 3.9% |
| Mauritius | $7.7M | 3.6% |
| United Kingdom | $7.4M | 3.5% |
| France | $5.5M | 2.6% |
| Switzerland | $5.5M | 2.6% |
| Poland | $4.9M | 2.3% |
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 3923: Plastic articles for the conveyance or packing of goods; stoppers, lids, caps and other closures of plastics.
Common questions
What is the value of plastic bottle exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported plastic bottle worth $224.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 163.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 40th of 222 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was up 13% on 2023.
Which countries buy plastic bottle from South Africa?
Namibia was the largest buyer with 20% of the value ($44.3 million), followed by Zimbabwe (14%) and Botswana (10%). The top three together account for 44%, out of 151 buyer countries in total. Lesotho grew fastest among the top ten, up 35% on the year.
What is the average export price of plastic bottle per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.37 per kg in 2024, 65% below the world average of $3.90 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 plastic bottle from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $183.4 million in 2017 to $224.2 million in 2024, an increase of 22%. The peak was 2022 at $248.8 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import plastic bottle?
Yes. South Africa imported $212.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, Germany and Italy. That compares with exports of $224.2 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for plastic bottle?
The HS code for plastic bottle is heading 3923. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 3923.90 (21% of the value) and 3923.10 (19%). It sits in HS chapter 39 (plastics and articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3923 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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