Sports sneakers imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $75.7 million of sports sneakers in 2024 (1.4 thousand tonnes). Value fell 17% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $125.7 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 | $75.7M | 1.4K t |
| 2023 | $90.7M | 1.8K t |
| 2022 | $125.7M | 2.7K t |
| 2021 | $88.5M | 1.9K t |
| 2020 | $65.7M | 1.5K t |
| 2019 | $79.2M | 2.0K t |
| 2018 | $87.5M | 2.0K t |
| 2017 | $101.0M | 2.5K t |
Where South Africa imports sports sneakers from
Vietnam alone supplied 51% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | $38.5M | 51% |
| China | $16.9M | 22% |
| Indonesia | $16.4M | 22% |
| Cambodia | $1.5M | 2% |
| India | $744K | 1% |
| Italy | $347K | 0.5% |
| Philippines | $288K | 0.4% |
| Germany | $208K | 0.3% |
| Mauritius | $164K | 0.2% |
| United States | $106K | 0.1% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $55.89 per kg, 37% above the world average of $40.94. 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 sneakers exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported sports sneakers worth $5.7 million (100 tonnes). Most of it went to Botswana (42%), Eswatini (19%), Namibia (11%). Among the main buyer markets, United Arab Emirates grew fastest (+168% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $2.4M | 42% |
| Eswatini | $1.1M | 19% |
| Namibia | $595K | 11% |
| Netherlands | $335K | 5.9% |
| Zambia | $315K | 5.6% |
| Lesotho | $262K | 4.6% |
| United Arab Emirates | $153K | 2.7% |
| Zimbabwe | $148K | 2.6% |
| Mauritius | $98K | 1.7% |
| Mozambique | $94K | 1.7% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa sports sneakers imports (HS 6404.11): 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 6404.11: Sports footwear: tennis shoes, basketball shoes, gym shoes, training shoes and the like, with outer soles of rubber or plastics and uppers of textile materials.
Common questions
What is the value of sports sneakers imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported sports sneakers worth $75.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 40th of 217 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 17% on 2023.
Which countries supply sports sneakers to South Africa?
Vietnam was the largest supplier with 51% of the value ($38.5 million), followed by China (22%) and Indonesia (22%). The top three together account for 95%, out of 79 supplier countries in total. Germany grew fastest among the top ten, up 496% on the year.
What is the average import price of sports sneakers per kg?
The average declared import value was about $55.89 per kg in 2024, 37% above the world average of $40.94 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 sneakers to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $101.0 million in 2017 to $75.7 million in 2024, a fall of 25%. The peak was 2022 at $125.7 million. Over 8 years the average was $89.2 million a year.
Does South Africa also export sports sneakers?
Yes. South Africa exported $5.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Botswana, Eswatini and Namibia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $70.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for sports sneakers?
The HS code for sports sneakers is subheading 6404.11. 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 6404 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For South Africa, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
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