Polish exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, South Africa exported polish worth $28.5 million (7.5 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. That is close to the 2023 level. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
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Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $28.5M | 7.5K t |
| 2023 | $27.9M | 8.1K t |
| 2022 | $32.5M | 7.3K t |
| 2021 | $27.7M | 8.8K t |
| 2020 | $21.8M | 7.3K t |
| 2019 | $27.7M | 7.7K t |
| 2018 | $32.6M | 10.2K t |
| 2017 | $31.8M | 9.5K t |
Where South Africa exports polish to
Most of it went to Zambia (41%), Botswana (12%), Zimbabwe (12%).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $11.8M | 41% |
| Botswana | $3.4M | 12% |
| Zimbabwe | $3.3M | 12% |
| Namibia | $1.6M | 5.7% |
| Nigeria | $1.6M | 5.7% |
| Lesotho | $1.4M | 5% |
| Eswatini | $1.2M | 4.3% |
| Mozambique | $919K | 3.2% |
| Malawi | $529K | 1.9% |
| Seychelles | $335K | 1.2% |
Product types under HS 3405
| 3405.20 | Polishes, creams and similar preparations: for the maintenance of wooden furniture, floors or other woodwork, excluding waxes of heading no. 3404 | 34% |
| 3405.10 | Polishes, creams and similar preparations: for footwear or leather, excluding waxes of heading no. 3404 | 34% |
| 3405.90 | Polishes, creams and similar preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3405, excluding waxes of heading no. 3404 | 29% |
| 3405.30 | Polishes, creams and similar preparations: for coachwork, other than metal polishes, excluding waxes of heading no. 3404 | 1.9% |
| 3405.40 | Scouring pastes and powders and other scouring preparations: (whether or not in the form of paper, wadding, felt, nonwovens, cellular plastics… | 0.4% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3405.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.79 per kg, close to the world average of $4.43.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Polish imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $8.1 million of polish in 2024 (2.3 thousand tonnes). Most of the value came from United States (22%), United Kingdom (16%), Germany (14%). Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+107% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $1.7M | 22% |
| United Kingdom | $1.3M | 16% |
| Germany | $1.2M | 14% |
| Italy | $1.1M | 13% |
| China | $846K | 11% |
| Portugal | $265K | 3.3% |
| Turkey | $249K | 3.1% |
| Greece | $195K | 2.4% |
| France | $189K | 2.3% |
| Indonesia | $172K | 2.1% |
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 3405: Polishes, creams, scouring pastes, powders and similar; in any form, (including articles impregnated, coated or covered with such), for furniture, footwear, floors, coachwork, glass or metal.
Common questions
What is the value of polish exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported polish worth $28.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 7.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 17th of 168 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 2% on 2023.
Which countries buy polish from South Africa?
Zambia was the largest buyer with 41% of the value ($11.8 million), followed by Botswana (12%) and Zimbabwe (12%). The top three together account for 65%, out of 85 buyer countries in total. The Seychelles grew fastest among the top ten, up 174% on the year.
What is the average export price of polish per kg?
The average declared export value was about $3.79 per kg in 2024, 14% below the world average of $4.43 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 polish from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $31.8 million in 2017 to $28.5 million in 2024, a fall of 10%. The peak was 2018 at $32.6 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import polish?
Yes. South Africa imported $8.1 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $20.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for polish?
The HS code for polish is heading 3405. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 3405.20 (34% of the value) and 3405.10 (34%). It sits in HS chapter 34 (soap, organic surface-active agents; washing, lubricating, polishing or scouring preparations; artificial or prepared waxes, candles and similar articles, modelling pastes, dental waxes and dental preparations with a basis of plaster). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3405 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.
More trade data for South Africa
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