Plastic-coated paper imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $108.3 million of plastic-coated paper in 2024 (46.0 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 30% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2023, at $154.9 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 | $108.3M | 46.0K t |
| 2023 | $154.9M | 49.8K t |
| 2022 | $122.7M | 48.7K t |
| 2021 | $113.7M | 47.0K t |
| 2020 | $98.4M | 58.5K t |
| 2019 | $101.7M | 42.1K t |
| 2018 | $104.2M | 41.4K t |
| 2017 | $90.1M | 34.7K t |
Where South Africa imports plastic-coated paper from
Most of the value came from China (15%), Italy (14%), Germany (12%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 41%. Among the main suppliers, Denmark grew fastest (+33% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $16.4M | 15% |
| Italy | $15.1M | 14% |
| Germany | $12.7M | 12% |
| Saudi Arabia | $10.0M | 9.2% |
| India | $9.1M | 8.4% |
| Denmark | $7.8M | 7.2% |
| Pakistan | $7.0M | 6.4% |
| Spain | $6.3M | 5.8% |
| Austria | $6.0M | 5.5% |
| Poland | $2.8M | 2.6% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.35 per kg, close to the world average of $2.78.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Plastic-coated paper exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $13.5 million of plastic-coated paper in 2024 (4.3 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Nigeria (27%), Zimbabwe (21%), Malawi (16%). Among the main buyer markets, Malawi grew fastest (+330% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | $3.6M | 27% |
| Zimbabwe | $2.8M | 21% |
| Malawi | $2.1M | 16% |
| Botswana | $1.9M | 14% |
| Mozambique | $1.0M | 7.7% |
| Kenya | $634K | 4.7% |
| Namibia | $578K | 4.3% |
| Ghana | $209K | 1.6% |
| Mauritius | $136K | 1% |
| Zambia | $135K | 1% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa plastic-coated paper imports (HS 4811.59): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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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 4811.59: Paper and paperboard: coated, impregnated or covered with plastics (excluding adhesives), other than bleached and weighing more than 150g/m2, other than goods of heading no. 4803, 4809, or 4810.
Common questions
What is the value of plastic-coated paper imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported plastic-coated paper worth $108.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 46.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 21st of 203 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 30% on 2023.
Which countries supply plastic-coated paper to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 15% of the value ($16.4 million), followed by Italy (14%) and Germany (12%). The top three together account for 41%, out of 42 supplier countries in total. Denmark grew fastest among the top ten, up 33% on the year.
What is the average import price of plastic-coated paper per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.35 per kg in 2024, 15% below the world average of $2.78 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-coated paper to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $90.1 million in 2017 to $108.3 million in 2024, an increase of 20%. The peak was 2023 at $154.9 million. Over 8 years the average was $111.8 million a year.
Does South Africa also export plastic-coated paper?
Yes. South Africa exported $13.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Malawi. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $94.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for plastic-coated paper?
The HS code for plastic-coated paper is subheading 4811.59. 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 4811 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
World plastic-coated paper trade: top importers and exporters
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