Plastic office supplies imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported plastic office supplies worth $9.0 million (3.5 thousand tonnes). Value fell 39% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2023, at $14.8 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 | $9.0M | 3.5K t |
| 2023 | $14.8M | 2.9K t |
| 2022 | $8.3M | 2.8K t |
| 2021 | $7.3M | 2.5K t |
| 2020 | $6.4M | 2.6K t |
| 2019 | $10.8M | 3.7K t |
| 2018 | $11.4M | 4.0K t |
| 2017 | $9.6M | 3.6K t |
Where South Africa imports plastic office supplies from
China alone supplied 77% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $6.9M | 77% |
| Taiwan | $684K | 7.6% |
| Germany | $633K | 7% |
| United Kingdom | $204K | 2.3% |
| Japan | $182K | 2% |
| United States | $75K | 0.8% |
| Belgium | $60K | 0.7% |
| Poland | $49K | 0.5% |
| Austria | $31K | 0.3% |
| Denmark | $19K | 0.2% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.56 per kg, 43% below the world average of $4.46, 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 office supplies exports from South Africa
Exports of plastic office supplies by South Africa reached $3.8 million in 2024 (806 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Namibia (44%), Botswana (13%), Eswatini (8%). Among the main buyer markets, Lesotho grew fastest (+91% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $1.7M | 44% |
| Botswana | $492K | 13% |
| Eswatini | $295K | 7.7% |
| China | $268K | 7% |
| Mozambique | $235K | 6.2% |
| Zambia | $158K | 4.1% |
| Lesotho | $153K | 4% |
| Zimbabwe | $140K | 3.7% |
| Malawi | $62K | 1.6% |
| Germany | $42K | 1.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa plastic office supplies imports (HS 3926.10): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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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 3926.10: Plastics: office or school supplies.
Common questions
What is the value of plastic office supplies imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported plastic office supplies worth $9.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 3.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 44th of 222 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 39% on 2023.
Which countries supply plastic office supplies to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 77% of the value ($6.9 million), followed by Taiwan (8%) and Germany (7%). The top three together account for 92%, out of 64 supplier countries in total. Japan grew fastest among the top ten, up 998% on the year.
What is the average import price of plastic office supplies per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.56 per kg in 2024, 43% below the world average of $4.46 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of plastic office supplies to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $9.6 million in 2017 to $9.0 million in 2024, a fall of 6%. The peak was 2023 at $14.8 million. Over 8 years the average was $9.7 million a year.
Does South Africa also export plastic office supplies?
Yes. South Africa exported $3.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Botswana and Eswatini. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $5.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for plastic office supplies?
The HS code for plastic office supplies is subheading 3926.10. It sits in HS chapter 39 (plastics and articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3926 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for South Africa. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World plastic office supplies trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
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