Steel shapes exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of steel shapes by South Africa reached $97.0 million in 2024 (98.4 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Value fell 23% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2023, at $125.7 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $97.0M | 98.4K t |
| 2023 | $125.7M | 115.4K t |
| 2022 | $109.4M | 95.6K t |
| 2021 | $110.2M | 102.2K t |
| 2020 | $81.6M | 112.0K t |
| 2019 | $100.0M | 142.6K t |
| 2018 | $121.3M | 152.4K t |
| 2017 | $88.5M | 121.3K t |
Where South Africa exports steel shapes to
Most of it went to Zimbabwe (32%), Zambia (14%), Namibia (14%). Among the main buyer markets, Eswatini grew fastest (+31% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $31.1M | 32% |
| Zambia | $13.3M | 14% |
| Namibia | $13.1M | 14% |
| Botswana | $10.8M | 11% |
| Mozambique | $9.3M | 9.6% |
| DR Congo | $4.7M | 4.9% |
| Eswatini | $3.4M | 3.6% |
| Australia | $2.9M | 3% |
| Malawi | $2.8M | 2.9% |
| Lesotho | $2.4M | 2.4% |
Product types under HS 7216
| 7216.99 | Iron or non-alloy steel: angles, shapes and sections, n.e.c. in heading no. 7216 | 19% |
| 7216.31 | Iron or non-alloy steel: U sections, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or extruded, of a height of 80mm or more | 16% |
| 7216.33 | Iron or non-alloy steel: H sections, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or extruded, of a height of 80mm or more | 16% |
| 7216.21 | Iron or non-alloy steel: L sections, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or extruded, of a height of less than 80mm | 11% |
| 7216.10 | Iron or non-alloy steel: U, I or H sections, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or extruded, of a height of less than 80mm | 8.8% |
| 7216.32 | Iron or non-alloy steel: I sections, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or extruded, of a height of 80mm or more | 8.2% |
| 7216.69 | Iron or non-alloy steel: angles, shapes and sections, cold-formed or cold-finished, (not obtained from flat-rolled products) | 6.7% |
| 7216.50 | Iron or non-alloy steel: angles, shapes and sections, n.e.c. in heading no. 7216, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or extruded | 5.2% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 7216.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.99 per kg, close to the world average of $0.87.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Steel shapes imports to South Africa
In 2024, South Africa imported steel shapes worth $54.6 million (74.3 thousand tonnes). China alone supplied 73% of it. Among the main suppliers, Botswana grew fastest (+316% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $39.6M | 73% |
| South Korea | $6.6M | 12% |
| Thailand | $2.6M | 4.8% |
| Botswana | $2.4M | 4.3% |
| Japan | $417K | 0.8% |
| India | $358K | 0.7% |
| United Kingdom | $298K | 0.6% |
| Netherlands | $295K | 0.5% |
| Zimbabwe | $272K | 0.5% |
| Turkey | $251K | 0.5% |
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 7216: Iron or non-alloy steel, angles, shapes and sections.
Common questions
What is the value of steel shapes exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported steel shapes worth $97.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 98.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 24th of 156 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was down 23% on 2023.
Which countries buy steel shapes from South Africa?
Zimbabwe was the largest buyer with 32% of the value ($31.1 million), followed by Zambia (14%) and Namibia (14%). The top three together account for 59%, out of 52 buyer countries in total. Eswatini grew fastest among the top ten, up 31% on the year.
What is the average export price of steel shapes per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.99 per kg in 2024, 14% above the world average of $0.87 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 exports of steel shapes from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $88.5 million in 2017 to $97.0 million in 2024, an increase of 10%. The peak was 2023 at $125.7 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import steel shapes?
Yes. South Africa imported $54.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, South Korea and Thailand. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $42.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for steel shapes?
The HS code for steel shapes is heading 7216. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 7216.99 (19% of the value) and 7216.31 (16%). It sits in HS chapter 72 (iron and steel). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7216 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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