Printed books imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $73.1 million of printed books in 2024 (7.6 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 6% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 6% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $115.0 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 | $73.1M | 7.6K t |
| 2023 | $69.1M | 7.1K t |
| 2022 | $74.7M | 7.9K t |
| 2021 | $77.1M | 7.6K t |
| 2020 | $63.8M | 7.5K t |
| 2019 | $100.4M | 10.3K t |
| 2018 | $114.2M | 11.8K t |
| 2017 | $115.0M | 13.1K t |
Where South Africa imports printed books from
The largest suppliers were United Kingdom (33%), United States (23%), China (16%). Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+37% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $24.2M | 33% |
| United States | $16.7M | 23% |
| China | $11.4M | 16% |
| India | $5.2M | 7.1% |
| Eswatini | $4.9M | 6.7% |
| Germany | $2.5M | 3.4% |
| Brazil | $769K | 1.1% |
| Italy | $766K | 1.1% |
| Malaysia | $707K | 1% |
| Netherlands | $639K | 0.9% |
Product types under HS 4901
| 4901.99 | Printed matter: books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter n.e.c. in item no. 4901.10 or 4901.91 | 91% |
| 4901.10 | Printed matter: in single sheets, whether or not folded | 8.5% |
| 4901.91 | Printed matter: dictionaries, encyclopaedias and serial instalments thereof | 0.9% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 4901.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $9.62 per kg, close to the world average of $9.39.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Printed books exports from South Africa
Exports of printed books by South Africa reached $45.9 million in 2024 (12.4 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Namibia (16%), Mozambique (12%), Eswatini (12%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 41%. Among the main buyer markets, Madagascar grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $7.4M | 16% |
| Mozambique | $5.7M | 12% |
| Eswatini | $5.6M | 12% |
| DR Congo | $3.5M | 7.7% |
| Zimbabwe | $3.2M | 6.9% |
| Botswana | $2.9M | 6.3% |
| Zambia | $2.9M | 6.3% |
| Madagascar | $2.6M | 5.7% |
| Angola | $1.8M | 3.9% |
| Malawi | $1.5M | 3.2% |
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 4901: Printed books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter, whether or not in single sheets.
Common questions
What is the value of printed books imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported printed books worth $73.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 7.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 33rd of 225 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 6% on 2023.
Which countries supply printed books to South Africa?
The United Kingdom was the largest supplier with 33% of the value ($24.2 million), followed by the United States (23%) and China (16%). The top three together account for 72%, out of 143 supplier countries in total. The Netherlands grew fastest among the top ten, up 157% on the year.
What is the average import price of printed books per kg?
The average declared import value was about $9.62 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $9.39 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 imports of printed books to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $115.0 million in 2017 to $73.1 million in 2024, a fall of 36%. The peak was 2017 at $115.0 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export printed books?
Yes. South Africa exported $45.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Mozambique and Eswatini. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $27.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for printed books?
The HS code for printed books is heading 4901. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 4901.99 (91% of the value) and 4901.10 (8%). It sits in HS chapter 49 (printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry; manuscripts, typescripts and plans). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 4901 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.
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.