Seamless carbon steel tube imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $24.2 million of seamless carbon steel tube in 2024 (16.1 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 9% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 9% a year on average.
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 | $24.2M | 16.1K t |
| 2023 | $22.2M | 17.8K t |
| 2022 | $27.3M | 17.1K t |
| 2021 | $23.0M | 14.4K t |
| 2020 | $14.8M | 11.0K t |
| 2019 | $20.7M | 14.5K t |
| 2018 | $17.1M | 15.4K t |
| 2017 | $13.5M | 13.5K t |
Where South Africa imports seamless carbon steel tube from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 55% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Thailand grew fastest (+815% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $13.2M | 55% |
| Thailand | $5.0M | 21% |
| Spain | $1.8M | 7.3% |
| Germany | $1.0M | 4.3% |
| Saudi Arabia | $943K | 3.9% |
| Japan | $435K | 1.8% |
| United States | $397K | 1.6% |
| Australia | $369K | 1.5% |
| Czech Republic | $282K | 1.2% |
| Italy | $197K | 0.8% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.50 per kg, close to the world average of $1.36.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Seamless carbon steel tube exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $7.2 million of seamless carbon steel tube in 2024 (4.0 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Taiwan (21%), Namibia (20%), Zimbabwe (11%). Among the main buyer markets, Mozambique grew fastest (+400% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Taiwan | $1.5M | 21% |
| Namibia | $1.5M | 20% |
| Zimbabwe | $773K | 11% |
| Eswatini | $660K | 9.2% |
| Botswana | $655K | 9.1% |
| DR Congo | $345K | 4.8% |
| Singapore | $343K | 4.8% |
| Mozambique | $316K | 4.4% |
| Germany | $313K | 4.4% |
| Zambia | $250K | 3.5% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa seamless carbon steel tube imports (HS 7304.39): 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 7304.39: Iron or non-alloy steel (excluding cast iron): seamless, (excluding cold-drawn or cold-rolled), tubes, pipes and hollow profiles of circular cross-section.
Common questions
What is the value of seamless carbon steel tube imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported seamless carbon steel tube worth $24.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 16.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 35th of 201 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 9% on 2023.
Which countries supply seamless carbon steel tube to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 55% of the value ($13.2 million), followed by Thailand (21%) and Spain (7%). The top three together account for 83%, out of 38 supplier countries in total. Thailand grew fastest among the top ten, up 815% on the year.
What is the average import price of seamless carbon steel tube per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.50 per kg in 2024, 10% above the world average of $1.36 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of seamless carbon steel tube to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $13.5 million in 2017 to $24.2 million in 2024, an increase of 79%. The peak was 2022 at $27.3 million. Over 8 years the average was $20.3 million a year.
Does South Africa also export seamless carbon steel tube?
Yes. South Africa exported $7.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Taiwan, Namibia and Zimbabwe. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $17.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for seamless carbon steel tube?
The HS code for seamless carbon steel tube is subheading 7304.39. It sits in HS chapter 73 (iron or steel articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7304 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 seamless carbon steel tube trade: top importers and exporters
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