Sports footwear imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported sports footwear worth $36.4 million (956 tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 56% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 21% 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 | $36.4M | 956 t |
| 2023 | $23.4M | 514 t |
| 2022 | $18.1M | 410 t |
| 2021 | $8.3M | 230 t |
| 2020 | $7.8M | 219 t |
| 2019 | $11.8M | 324 t |
| 2018 | $11.7M | 299 t |
| 2017 | $9.5M | 278 t |
Where South Africa imports sports footwear from
Most of the value came from China (32%), Vietnam (29%), Indonesia (26%). Among the main suppliers, Vietnam grew fastest (+80% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $11.5M | 32% |
| Vietnam | $10.7M | 29% |
| Indonesia | $9.3M | 26% |
| Cambodia | $2.1M | 5.9% |
| India | $1.8M | 4.9% |
| Bosnia Herzegovina | $230K | 0.6% |
| Myanmar | $216K | 0.6% |
| Italy | $140K | 0.4% |
| Thailand | $96K | 0.3% |
| Czech Republic | $62K | 0.2% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $38.13 per kg, 32% above the world average of $28.79. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Sports footwear exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $1.5 million of sports footwear in 2024 (33 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were China (24%), Botswana (22%), Namibia (12%). Among the main buyer markets, United Arab Emirates grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $364K | 24% |
| Botswana | $328K | 22% |
| Namibia | $184K | 12% |
| Zambia | $177K | 12% |
| Lesotho | $128K | 8.5% |
| Eswatini | $84K | 5.5% |
| United Arab Emirates | $56K | 3.7% |
| Netherlands | $54K | 3.6% |
| Mauritius | $46K | 3.1% |
| Zimbabwe | $14K | 0.9% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa sports footwear imports (HS 6402.19): 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 6402.19: Sports footwear: (other than ski-boots, snowboard boots or cross-country ski footwear), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics.
Common questions
What is the value of sports footwear imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported sports footwear worth $36.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 956 tonnes. That ranks it 28th of 206 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 56% on 2023.
Which countries supply sports footwear to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 32% of the value ($11.5 million), followed by Vietnam (29%) and Indonesia (26%). The top three together account for 86%, out of 55 supplier countries in total. Thailand grew fastest among the top ten, up 168% on the year.
What is the average import price of sports footwear per kg?
The average declared import value was about $38.13 per kg in 2024, 32% above the world average of $28.79 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of sports footwear to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $9.5 million in 2017 to $36.4 million in 2024, an increase of 285%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $15.9 million a year.
Does South Africa also export sports footwear?
Yes. South Africa exported $1.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to China, Botswana and Namibia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $34.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for sports footwear?
The HS code for sports footwear is subheading 6402.19. It sits in HS chapter 64 (footwear; gaiters and the like; parts of such articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 6402 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
More trade data for South Africa
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