Plastic product imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of plastic product by South Africa reached $350.9 million in 2024 (63.8 thousand tonnes). Value rose 11% on 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 | $350.9M | 63.8K t |
| 2023 | $316.8M | 74.9K t |
| 2022 | $287.3M | 54.7K t |
| 2021 | $277.0M | 56.3K t |
| 2020 | $215.0M | 42.5K t |
| 2019 | $256.0M | 49.3K t |
| 2018 | $245.7M | 40.4K t |
| 2017 | $224.2M | 34.5K t |
Where South Africa imports plastic product from
Most of the value came from China (38%), Germany (23%), United States (8%). Among the main suppliers, Germany grew fastest (+52% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $134.0M | 38% |
| Germany | $81.0M | 23% |
| United States | $28.7M | 8.2% |
| Italy | $9.7M | 2.8% |
| India | $8.7M | 2.5% |
| Czech Republic | $6.7M | 1.9% |
| Spain | $6.6M | 1.9% |
| France | $6.4M | 1.8% |
| Netherlands | $5.5M | 1.6% |
| Thailand | $5.4M | 1.6% |
Product types under HS 3926
| 3926.90 | Plastics: other articles n.e.c. in chapter 39 | 85% |
| 3926.20 | Plastics: articles of apparel and clothing accessories (including gloves, mittens and mitts) | 5.4% |
| 3926.30 | Plastics: fittings for furniture, coachwork or the like | 4% |
| 3926.40 | Plastics: statuettes and other ornamental articles | 3.4% |
| 3926.10 | Plastics: office or school supplies | 2.6% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3926.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $5.50 per kg, 27% below the world average of $7.50, 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 product exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $108.9 million of plastic product in 2024 (32.3 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Namibia (15%), Botswana (14%), United States (11%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 39%.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $16.2M | 15% |
| Botswana | $15.0M | 14% |
| United States | $11.7M | 11% |
| Lesotho | $9.5M | 8.7% |
| Zambia | $7.5M | 6.9% |
| Mozambique | $6.8M | 6.2% |
| DR Congo | $4.6M | 4.2% |
| Eswatini | $4.4M | 4.1% |
| Zimbabwe | $3.9M | 3.6% |
| Germany | $2.1M | 1.9% |
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 3926: Articles of plastics and articles of other materials of heading no. 3901 to 3914, n.e.c. in chapter 39.
Common questions
What is the value of plastic product imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported plastic product worth $350.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 63.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 45th of 226 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 11% on 2023.
Which countries supply plastic product to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 38% of the value ($134.0 million), followed by Germany (23%) and the United States (8%). The top three together account for 69%, out of 136 supplier countries in total. Germany grew fastest among the top ten, up 52% on the year.
What is the average import price of plastic product per kg?
The average declared import value was about $5.50 per kg in 2024, 27% below the world average of $7.50 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 product to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $224.2 million in 2017 to $350.9 million in 2024, an increase of 57%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export plastic product?
Yes. South Africa exported $108.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Botswana and the United States. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $242.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for plastic product?
The HS code for plastic product is heading 3926. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 3926.90 (85% of the value) and 3926.20 (5%). 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?
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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