Plastic waste (other) imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported plastic waste (other) worth $3.2 million (9.2 thousand tonnes). Value fell 24% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 11% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2021, at $4.5 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 | $3.2M | 9.2K t |
| 2023 | $4.2M | 9.0K t |
| 2022 | $4.3M | 12.0K t |
| 2021 | $4.5M | 11.0K t |
| 2020 | $2.5M | 6.4K t |
| 2019 | $3.9M | 13.1K t |
| 2018 | $3.9M | 14.9K t |
| 2017 | $1.5M | 5.4K t |
Where South Africa imports plastic waste (other) from
The largest suppliers were Mauritius (19%), Germany (15%), Namibia (12%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 46%. Among the main suppliers, Zimbabwe grew fastest (+439% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mauritius | $604K | 19% |
| Germany | $473K | 15% |
| Namibia | $385K | 12% |
| France | $370K | 12% |
| China | $280K | 8.8% |
| Spain | $273K | 8.5% |
| Belgium | $244K | 7.6% |
| Zimbabwe | $209K | 6.5% |
| Portugal | $182K | 5.7% |
| Netherlands | $32K | 1% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.35 per kg, close to the world average of $0.43.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Plastic waste (other) exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $16.6 million of plastic waste (other) in 2024 (11.5 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. The largest buyer markets were Thailand (47%), Malaysia (37%), Israel (6%).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand | $7.8M | 47% |
| Malaysia | $6.1M | 37% |
| Israel | $997K | 6% |
| Zimbabwe | $369K | 2.2% |
| United Kingdom | $237K | 1.4% |
| Australia | $178K | 1.1% |
| Latvia | $128K | 0.8% |
| United States | $118K | 0.7% |
| Taiwan | $116K | 0.7% |
| Botswana | $96K | 0.6% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa plastic waste (other) imports (HS 3915.90): 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 3915.90: Plastics n.e.c. in heading no. 3915: waste, parings and scrap.
Common questions
What is the value of plastic waste (other) imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported plastic waste (other) worth $3.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 9.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 52nd of 185 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 24% on 2023.
Which countries supply plastic waste (other) to South Africa?
Mauritius was the largest supplier with 19% of the value ($604 thousand), followed by Germany (15%) and Namibia (12%). The top three together account for 46%, out of 25 supplier countries in total. Zimbabwe grew fastest among the top ten, up 439% on the year.
What is the average import price of plastic waste (other) per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.35 per kg in 2024, 19% below the world average of $0.43 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 waste (other) to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $1.5 million in 2017 to $3.2 million in 2024, an increase of 109%. The peak was 2021 at $4.5 million. Over 8 years the average was $3.5 million a year.
Does South Africa also export plastic waste (other)?
Yes. South Africa exported $16.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Thailand, Malaysia and Israel. That compares with imports of $3.2 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for plastic waste (other)?
The HS code for plastic waste (other) is subheading 3915.90. 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?
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 waste (other) trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
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