Polyester filament dyed imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $3.0 million of polyester filament dyed in 2024 (625 tonnes). 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 .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3.0M | 625 t |
| 2023 | $3.1M | 463 t |
| 2022 | $2.6M | 509 t |
| 2021 | $2.3M | 411 t |
| 2020 | $1.4M | 269 t |
| 2019 | $2.7M | 465 t |
| 2018 | $3.1M | 588 t |
| 2017 | $3.2M | 3.3K t |
Where South Africa imports polyester filament dyed from
China alone supplied 82% of it. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+48% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $2.5M | 82% |
| India | $120K | 4% |
| Turkey | $114K | 3.8% |
| Vietnam | $78K | 2.6% |
| Pakistan | $59K | 1.9% |
| Lesotho | $45K | 1.5% |
| Taiwan | $37K | 1.2% |
| Brazil | $31K | 1% |
| Italy | $24K | 0.8% |
| Spain | $15K | 0.5% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.85 per kg, 50% below the world average of $9.71, 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.
Polyester filament dyed exports from South Africa
Exports of polyester filament dyed by South Africa reached $1.4 million in 2024 (244 tonnes). Lesotho alone took 93% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Lesotho grew fastest (+486% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Lesotho | $1.3M | 93% |
| Mauritius | $31K | 2.2% |
| Namibia | $17K | 1.2% |
| Iceland | $16K | 1.1% |
| Eswatini | $11K | 0.8% |
| Malawi | $8K | 0.5% |
| Mozambique | $6K | 0.4% |
| Botswana | $5K | 0.3% |
| Seychelles | $2K | 0.1% |
| Zimbabwe | $2K | 0.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa polyester filament dyed imports (HS 5407.92): 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 5407.92: Fabrics, woven: of synthetic filament yarn, dyed, n.e.c. in heading 5407.
Common questions
What is the value of polyester filament dyed imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported polyester filament dyed worth $3.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 625 tonnes. That ranks it 37th of 173 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 1% on 2023.
Which countries supply polyester filament dyed to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 82% of the value ($2.5 million), followed by India (4%) and Turkey (4%). The top three together account for 89%, out of 19 supplier countries in total. Lesotho grew fastest among the top ten, up 704% on the year.
What is the average import price of polyester filament dyed per kg?
The average declared import value was about $4.85 per kg in 2024, 50% below the world average of $9.71 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of polyester filament dyed to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $3.2 million in 2017 to $3.0 million in 2024, a fall of 6%. The peak was 2017 at $3.2 million. Over 8 years the average was $2.7 million a year.
Does South Africa also export polyester filament dyed?
Yes. South Africa exported $1.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Lesotho, Mauritius and Namibia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $1.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for polyester filament dyed?
The HS code for polyester filament dyed is subheading 5407.92. It sits in HS chapter 54 (man-made filaments; strip and the like of man-made textile materials). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 5407 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 polyester filament dyed trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
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