Plastic sheet imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported plastic sheet worth $282.4 million (103.7 thousand tonnes). The value was almost unchanged from 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 | $282.4M | 103.7K t |
| 2023 | $279.4M | 93.3K t |
| 2022 | $317.6M | 98.1K t |
| 2021 | $282.7M | 93.6K t |
| 2020 | $216.5M | 97.1K t |
| 2019 | $259.4M | 84.8K t |
| 2018 | $266.8M | 87.7K t |
| 2017 | $271.5M | 92.1K t |
Where South Africa imports plastic sheet from
Most of the value came from China (21%), India (11%), Germany (11%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 42%. Among the main suppliers, Portugal grew fastest (+69% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $57.9M | 21% |
| India | $30.8M | 11% |
| Germany | $30.1M | 11% |
| United Kingdom | $17.4M | 6.2% |
| Turkey | $12.3M | 4.4% |
| Netherlands | $9.1M | 3.2% |
| Indonesia | $8.9M | 3.2% |
| France | $8.6M | 3.1% |
| Italy | $8.1M | 2.9% |
| Portugal | $7.1M | 2.5% |
Product types under HS 3920
| 3920.10 | Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), of polymers of ethylene, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or… | 26% |
| 3920.62 | Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), of poly(ethylene terephthalate), non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated… | 17% |
| 3920.20 | Plastics: of polymers of propylene, plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported… | 17% |
| 3920.91 | Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), of poly(vinyl butyral), non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or… | 6.9% |
| 3920.49 | Plastics: polymers of vinyl chloride, containing by weight, less than 6% of plasticisers: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive)… | 6.7% |
| 3920.61 | Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), of polycarbonates, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or… | 6.4% |
| 3920.99 | Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), of plastics n.e.c. in heading no. 3920, non-cellular and not reinforced… | 5.1% |
| 3920.51 | Plastics: of acrylic polymers, polymethyl methacrylate, plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), non-cellular and not reinforced… | 3.6% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3920.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.72 per kg, 21% below the world average of $3.44, 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 sheet exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported plastic sheet worth $65.8 million (25.4 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Zambia (15%), Zimbabwe (13%), Eswatini (13%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 42%. Among the main buyer markets, Ghana grew fastest (+688% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $10.0M | 15% |
| Zimbabwe | $8.8M | 13% |
| Eswatini | $8.5M | 13% |
| Namibia | $6.7M | 10% |
| Botswana | $4.5M | 6.8% |
| Mozambique | $4.1M | 6.2% |
| Ghana | $3.0M | 4.6% |
| Malawi | $2.6M | 3.9% |
| Nigeria | $1.9M | 2.9% |
| DR Congo | $1.8M | 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 3920: Plastics; plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive); non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, n.e.c. in chapter 39.
Common questions
What is the value of plastic sheet imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported plastic sheet worth $282.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 103.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 46th of 224 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 1% on 2023.
Which countries supply plastic sheet to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 21% of the value ($57.9 million), followed by India (11%) and Germany (11%). The top three together account for 42%, out of 81 supplier countries in total. Portugal grew fastest among the top ten, up 69% on the year.
What is the average import price of plastic sheet per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.72 per kg in 2024, 21% below the world average of $3.44 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 sheet to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $271.5 million in 2017 to $282.4 million in 2024, an increase of 4%. The peak was 2022 at $317.6 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export plastic sheet?
Yes. South Africa exported $65.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zambia, Zimbabwe and Eswatini. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $216.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for plastic sheet?
The HS code for plastic sheet is heading 3920. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 3920.10 (26% of the value) and 3920.62 (17%). It sits in HS chapter 39 (plastics and articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3920 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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