Polyester film and sheet (other) imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $3.5 million of polyester film and sheet (other) in 2024 (799 tonnes). Value fell 10% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2019, at $7.7 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 | $3.5M | 799 t |
| 2023 | $3.9M | 595 t |
| 2022 | $3.9M | 579 t |
| 2021 | $2.2M | 351 t |
| 2020 | $2.7M | 561 t |
| 2019 | $7.7M | 1.1K t |
| 2018 | $4.1M | 834 t |
| 2017 | $4.1M | 747 t |
Where South Africa imports polyester film and sheet (other) from
One supplier dominates: India accounted for 58% of the value. Among the main suppliers, United Kingdom grew fastest (+114% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $2.0M | 58% |
| China | $641K | 19% |
| United Kingdom | $123K | 3.6% |
| Ireland | $111K | 3.2% |
| Germany | $87K | 2.5% |
| Pakistan | $82K | 2.4% |
| France | $70K | 2% |
| Japan | $69K | 2% |
| United States | $62K | 1.8% |
| Italy | $59K | 1.7% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.33 per kg, close to the world average of $3.91.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Polyester film and sheet (other) exports from South Africa
Exports of polyester film and sheet (other) by South Africa reached $366 thousand in 2024 (99 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Zambia (42%), Mozambique (18%), Namibia (14%). Among the main buyer markets, Eswatini grew fastest (+192% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $153K | 42% |
| Mozambique | $65K | 18% |
| Namibia | $52K | 14% |
| Tanzania | $25K | 6.7% |
| Botswana | $18K | 4.9% |
| Eswatini | $15K | 4.2% |
| Mauritius | $8K | 2.1% |
| Angola | $7K | 1.8% |
| Australia | $6K | 1.7% |
| Zimbabwe | $3K | 0.8% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa polyester film and sheet (other) imports (HS 3920.69): 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 3920.69: Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), of polyesters n.e.c. in heading no. 3920, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials.
Common questions
What is the value of polyester film and sheet (other) imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported polyester film and sheet (other) worth $3.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 799 tonnes. That ranks it 58th of 200 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 10% on 2023.
Which countries supply polyester film and sheet (other) to South Africa?
India was the largest supplier with 58% of the value ($2.0 million), followed by China (19%) and the United Kingdom (4%). The top three together account for 80%, out of 31 supplier countries in total. Pakistan grew fastest among the top ten, up 133% on the year.
What is the average import price of polyester film and sheet (other) per kg?
The average declared import value was about $4.33 per kg in 2024, 11% above the world average of $3.91 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 film and sheet (other) to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $4.1 million in 2017 to $3.5 million in 2024, a fall of 16%. The peak was 2019 at $7.7 million. Over 8 years the average was $4.0 million a year.
Does South Africa also export polyester film and sheet (other)?
Yes. South Africa exported $366 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zambia, Mozambique and Namibia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $3.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for polyester film and sheet (other)?
The HS code for polyester film and sheet (other) is subheading 3920.69. It sits in HS chapter 39 (plastics and articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3920 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 film and sheet (other) trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
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.