Polyester filament yarn imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $2.1 million of polyester filament yarn in 2024 (1.0 thousand tonnes). That is 30% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 13% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2019, at $6.7 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 | $2.1M | 1.0K t |
| 2023 | $2.9M | 1.6K t |
| 2022 | $2.6M | 1.1K t |
| 2021 | $3.2M | 1.7K t |
| 2020 | $2.9M | 1.7K t |
| 2019 | $6.7M | 2.8K t |
| 2018 | $5.0M | 1.9K t |
| 2017 | $5.6M | 2.3K t |
Where South Africa imports polyester filament yarn from
Most of the value came from South Korea (43%), China (41%), India (8%). Among the main suppliers, Turkey grew fastest (+322% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea | $875K | 43% |
| China | $834K | 41% |
| India | $161K | 7.8% |
| Turkey | $106K | 5.2% |
| Netherlands | $51K | 2.5% |
| Japan | $9K | 0.4% |
| Thailand | $9K | 0.4% |
| Belgium | $4K | 0.2% |
| Indonesia | $3K | 0.1% |
| United Kingdom | $2K | 0.1% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.97 per kg, close to the world average of $1.70.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Polyester filament yarn exports from South Africa
Exports of polyester filament yarn by South Africa reached $248 thousand in 2024 (58 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Angola accounted for 61% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Tanzania grew fastest (+179% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Angola | $152K | 61% |
| Zimbabwe | $33K | 13% |
| Lesotho | $24K | 9.8% |
| Germany | $13K | 5.4% |
| Tanzania | $13K | 5.3% |
| Eswatini | $6K | 2.4% |
| Namibia | $5K | 2.1% |
| Mozambique | $1K | 0.5% |
| Portugal | $0K | 0.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa polyester filament yarn imports (HS 5402.47): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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.
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 5402.47: Yarn, synthetic: filament, monofilament (less than 67 decitex), polyesters (not high tenacity or textured), not partially oriented, single, untwisted or twisted 50 turns or less per metre, not for retail sale, not sewing thread.
Common questions
What is the value of polyester filament yarn imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported polyester filament yarn worth $2.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 44th of 141 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 30% on 2023.
Which countries supply polyester filament yarn to South Africa?
South Korea was the largest supplier with 43% of the value ($875 thousand), followed by China (41%) and India (8%). The top three together account for 91%, out of 11 supplier countries in total. Turkey grew fastest among the top ten, up 322% on the year.
What is the average import price of polyester filament yarn per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.97 per kg in 2024, 16% above the world average of $1.70 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of polyester filament yarn to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $5.6 million in 2017 to $2.1 million in 2024, a fall of 63%. The peak was 2019 at $6.7 million. Over 8 years the average was $3.9 million a year.
Does South Africa also export polyester filament yarn?
Yes. South Africa exported $248 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Angola, Zimbabwe and Lesotho. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $1.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for polyester filament yarn?
The HS code for polyester filament yarn is subheading 5402.47. 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 5402 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for South Africa. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World polyester filament yarn trade: top importers and exporters
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.