Plastic-coated fabric imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported plastic-coated fabric worth $77.6 million (12.4 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 28% 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 | $77.6M | 12.4K t |
| 2023 | $60.8M | 10.5K t |
| 2022 | $53.5M | 11.9K t |
| 2021 | $70.6M | 20.2K t |
| 2020 | $50.0M | 13.3K t |
| 2019 | $56.5M | 13.0K t |
| 2018 | $65.5M | 16.3K t |
| 2017 | $47.6M | 16.1K t |
Where South Africa imports plastic-coated fabric from
China alone supplied 73% of it. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+50% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $57.0M | 73% |
| Italy | $2.7M | 3.4% |
| Germany | $2.6M | 3.4% |
| India | $2.2M | 2.9% |
| Portugal | $1.8M | 2.4% |
| Thailand | $1.5M | 1.9% |
| Eswatini | $1.5M | 1.9% |
| Poland | $1.2M | 1.6% |
| South Korea | $1.2M | 1.5% |
| Belgium | $997K | 1.3% |
Product types under HS 5903
| 5903.10 | Textile fabrics: impregnated, coated, covered or laminated with poly(vinyl chloride) | 42% |
| 5903.20 | Textile fabrics: impregnated, coated, covered or laminated with polyurethane | 39% |
| 5903.90 | Textile fabrics: impregnated, coated, covered or laminated with plastics, (excluding polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane and those of heading no. 5902) | 19% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 5903.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $6.28 per kg, close to the world average of $7.42.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Plastic-coated fabric exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $11.2 million of plastic-coated fabric in 2024 (2.5 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Kenya (14%), Tanzania (13%), Namibia (13%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 40%. Among the main buyer markets, United States grew fastest (+157% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya | $1.6M | 14% |
| Tanzania | $1.5M | 14% |
| Namibia | $1.4M | 13% |
| Zambia | $1.3M | 11% |
| Zimbabwe | $1.2M | 10% |
| Lesotho | $1.1M | 9.7% |
| Botswana | $760K | 6.8% |
| Eswatini | $460K | 4.1% |
| Australia | $306K | 2.7% |
| United States | $298K | 2.7% |
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 5903: Textile fabrics impregnated, coated, covered or laminated with plastics, other than those of heading no. 5902.
Common questions
What is the value of plastic-coated fabric imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported plastic-coated fabric worth $77.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 12.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 40th of 220 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 28% on 2023.
Which countries supply plastic-coated fabric to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 73% of the value ($57.0 million), followed by Italy (3%) and Germany (3%). The top three together account for 80%, out of 67 supplier countries in total. South Korea grew fastest among the top ten, up 56% on the year.
What is the average import price of plastic-coated fabric per kg?
The average declared import value was about $6.28 per kg in 2024, 15% below the world average of $7.42 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 plastic-coated fabric to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $47.6 million in 2017 to $77.6 million in 2024, an increase of 63%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export plastic-coated fabric?
Yes. South Africa exported $11.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Kenya, Tanzania and Namibia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $66.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for plastic-coated fabric?
The HS code for plastic-coated fabric is heading 5903. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 5903.10 (42% of the value) and 5903.20 (39%). It sits in HS chapter 59 (textile fabrics; impregnated, coated, covered or laminated; textile articles of a kind suitable for industrial use). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 5903 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.
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.