Steel nails imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported steel nails worth $20.3 million (9.5 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value fell 9% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 9% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2021, at $31.3 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 | $20.3M | 9.5K t |
| 2023 | $22.4M | 7.8K t |
| 2022 | $28.5M | 9.7K t |
| 2021 | $31.3M | 11.3K t |
| 2020 | $23.5M | 9.8K t |
| 2019 | $22.5M | 10.1K t |
| 2018 | $13.0M | 12.0K t |
| 2017 | $11.3M | 10.6K t |
Where South Africa imports steel nails from
China alone supplied 88% of it. Among the main suppliers, Switzerland grew fastest (+105% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $17.7M | 88% |
| Switzerland | $1.3M | 6.4% |
| Germany | $567K | 2.8% |
| Taiwan | $237K | 1.2% |
| India | $68K | 0.3% |
| Italy | $62K | 0.3% |
| Colombia | $56K | 0.3% |
| Canada | $30K | 0.2% |
| United States | $23K | 0.1% |
| Sweden | $20K | 0.1% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.12 per kg, 32% above the world average of $1.60. 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.
Steel nails exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported steel nails worth $6.9 million (4.3 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Botswana (24%), Eswatini (20%), Namibia (19%). Among the main buyer markets, Uganda grew fastest (+74% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $1.6M | 24% |
| Eswatini | $1.4M | 20% |
| Namibia | $1.3M | 19% |
| Zimbabwe | $687K | 9.9% |
| Mozambique | $553K | 8% |
| Lesotho | $551K | 7.9% |
| United States | $213K | 3.1% |
| Zambia | $197K | 2.8% |
| Uganda | $97K | 1.4% |
| Malawi | $79K | 1.1% |
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 7317: Nails, tacks, drawing pins, corrugated nails, staples (not those of heading no. 8305) and the like, of iron or steel, with heads of other material or not, but excluding articles with heads of copper.
Common questions
What is the value of steel nails imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported steel nails worth $20.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 9.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 28th of 223 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 9% on 2023.
Which countries supply steel nails to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 88% of the value ($17.7 million), followed by Switzerland (6%) and Germany (3%). The top three together account for 97%, out of 47 supplier countries in total. Taiwan grew fastest among the top ten, up 226% on the year.
What is the average import price of steel nails per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.12 per kg in 2024, 32% above the world average of $1.60 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 steel nails to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $11.3 million in 2017 to $20.3 million in 2024, an increase of 80%. The peak was 2021 at $31.3 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export steel nails?
Yes. South Africa exported $6.9 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 $13.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for steel nails?
The HS code for steel nails is heading 7317. In South Africa all of this trade was declared under the six-digit code 7317.00. It sits in HS chapter 73 (iron or steel articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7317 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.