Plastic waste exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $18.0 million of plastic waste in 2024 (13.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. That is 331% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 12% a year on average.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $18.0M | 13.3K t |
| 2023 | $4.2M | 8.3K t |
| 2022 | $2.7M | 4.1K t |
| 2021 | $1.9M | 2.4K t |
| 2020 | $2.0M | 3.3K t |
| 2019 | $1.5M | 2.9K t |
| 2018 | $7.5M | 12.8K t |
| 2017 | $8.2M | 21.0K t |
Where South Africa exports plastic waste to
The largest buyer markets were Thailand (43%), Malaysia (34%), Zimbabwe (7%).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand | $7.8M | 43% |
| Malaysia | $6.1M | 34% |
| Zimbabwe | $1.3M | 6.9% |
| Israel | $997K | 5.5% |
| United Kingdom | $452K | 2.5% |
| United States | $181K | 1% |
| Australia | $178K | 1% |
| Latvia | $128K | 0.7% |
| Taiwan | $116K | 0.6% |
| Namibia | $108K | 0.6% |
Product types under HS 3915
| 3915.90 | Plastics n.e.c. in heading no. 3915: waste, parings and scrap | 92% |
| 3915.10 | Ethylene polymers: waste, parings and scrap | 4.9% |
| 3915.30 | Vinyl chloride polymers: waste, parings and scrap | 2.2% |
| 3915.20 | Styrene polymers: waste, parings and scrap | 0.6% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3915.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.35 per kg, 221% above the world average of $0.42. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Plastic waste imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $6.3 million of plastic waste in 2024 (16.9 thousand tonnes). Most of the value came from Japan (22%), Tanzania (14%), Namibia (12%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 48%. Among the main suppliers, Botswana grew fastest (+120% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | $1.4M | 22% |
| Tanzania | $918K | 15% |
| Namibia | $746K | 12% |
| Mauritius | $604K | 9.5% |
| Germany | $473K | 7.5% |
| France | $370K | 5.8% |
| Botswana | $346K | 5.5% |
| China | $280K | 4.4% |
| Spain | $273K | 4.3% |
| Belgium | $244K | 3.9% |
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 3915: Waste, parings and scrap, of plastics.
Common questions
What is the value of plastic waste exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported plastic waste worth $18.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 13.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 34th of 178 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 331% on 2023.
Which countries buy plastic waste from South Africa?
Thailand was the largest buyer with 43% of the value ($7.8 million), followed by Malaysia (34%) and Zimbabwe (7%). The top three together account for 84%, out of 37 buyer countries in total. Namibia grew fastest among the top ten, up 82% on the year.
What is the average export price of plastic waste per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.35 per kg in 2024, 221% above the world average of $0.42 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 exports of plastic waste from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $8.2 million in 2017 to $18.0 million in 2024, an increase of 121%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import plastic waste?
Yes. South Africa imported $6.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Japan, Tanzania and Namibia. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $11.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for plastic waste?
The HS code for plastic waste is heading 3915. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 3915.90 (92% of the value) and 3915.10 (5%). It sits in HS chapter 39 (plastics and articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3915 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.