Staple fibre sewing thread imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported staple fibre sewing thread worth $6.4 million (526 tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 10% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 11% 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 | $6.4M | 526 t |
| 2023 | $5.8M | 496 t |
| 2022 | $6.7M | 603 t |
| 2021 | $7.6M | 647 t |
| 2020 | $5.3M | 610 t |
| 2019 | $6.6M | 802 t |
| 2018 | $3.3M | 1.3K t |
| 2017 | $3.2M | 1.1K t |
Where South Africa imports staple fibre sewing thread from
China alone supplied 95% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $6.1M | 95% |
| Turkey | $106K | 1.7% |
| India | $99K | 1.6% |
| Germany | $42K | 0.7% |
| France | $36K | 0.6% |
| Taiwan | $31K | 0.5% |
| Pakistan | $15K | 0.2% |
| Czech Republic | $2K | 0% |
| South Korea | $2K | 0% |
| Hong Kong | $1K | 0% |
Product types under HS 5508
| 5508.10 | Sewing thread: of synthetic staple fibres, whether or not put up for retail sale | 99% |
| 5508.20 | Sewing thread: of artificial staple fibres, whether or not put up for retail sale | 0.8% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 5508.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $12.17 per kg, 165% above the world average of $4.60. 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.
Staple fibre sewing thread exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $275 thousand of staple fibre sewing thread in 2024 (67 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Lesotho (41%), Zimbabwe (29%), Eswatini (14%). Among the main buyer markets, Zimbabwe grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Lesotho | $112K | 41% |
| Zimbabwe | $79K | 29% |
| Eswatini | $38K | 14% |
| Zambia | $19K | 7% |
| Namibia | $19K | 6.8% |
| Mozambique | $3K | 1% |
| Botswana | $2K | 0.7% |
| Mauritius | $2K | 0.6% |
| Tanzania | $1K | 0.3% |
| Kenya | $1K | 0.2% |
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 5508: Sewing thread of man-made staple fibres, whether or not put up for retail sale.
Common questions
What is the value of staple fibre sewing thread imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported staple fibre sewing thread worth $6.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 526 tonnes. That ranks it 30th of 192 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 10% on 2023.
Which countries supply staple fibre sewing thread to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 95% of the value ($6.1 million), followed by Turkey (2%) and India (2%). The top three together account for 98%, out of 18 supplier countries in total. Germany grew fastest among the top ten, up 367% on the year.
What is the average import price of staple fibre sewing thread per kg?
The average declared import value was about $12.17 per kg in 2024, 165% above the world average of $4.60 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 staple fibre sewing thread to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $3.2 million in 2017 to $6.4 million in 2024, an increase of 101%. The peak was 2021 at $7.6 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export staple fibre sewing thread?
Yes. South Africa exported $275 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Eswatini. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $6.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for staple fibre sewing thread?
The HS code for staple fibre sewing thread is heading 5508. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 5508.10 (99% of the value) and 5508.20 (1%). It sits in HS chapter 55 (man-made staple fibres). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 5508 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.
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