Synthetic filament fabric imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of synthetic filament fabric by South Africa reached $197.1 million in 2024 (59.2 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 18% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
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 | $197.1M | 59.2K t |
| 2023 | $166.3M | 44.1K t |
| 2022 | $213.8M | 47.6K t |
| 2021 | $181.0M | 41.9K t |
| 2020 | $113.5M | 32.5K t |
| 2019 | $197.6M | 39.5K t |
| 2018 | $229.8M | 40.7K t |
| 2017 | $213.7M | 36.3K t |
Where South Africa imports synthetic filament fabric from
China alone supplied 84% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $165.8M | 84% |
| India | $5.4M | 2.7% |
| Taiwan | $3.1M | 1.6% |
| Vietnam | $2.8M | 1.4% |
| Thailand | $2.7M | 1.4% |
| Eswatini | $2.6M | 1.3% |
| Pakistan | $2.6M | 1.3% |
| South Korea | $2.2M | 1.1% |
| Saudi Arabia | $2.1M | 1.1% |
| Turkey | $1.8M | 0.9% |
Product types under HS 5407
| 5407.52 | Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of textured polyester filaments, dyed | 45% |
| 5407.61 | Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of non-textured polyester filaments | 12% |
| 5407.54 | Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of textured polyester filaments, printed | 10% |
| 5407.82 | Fabrics, woven: of synthetic filament yarn, containing less than 85% by weight of synthetic filaments, mixed mainly or solely with cotton, dyed | 7.5% |
| 5407.20 | Fabrics, woven: from strip or the like, of synthetic textile materials | 5.9% |
| 5407.69 | Fabrics, woven: containing less than 85% by weight of non-textured polyester filaments | 3.5% |
| 5407.10 | Fabrics, woven: from high tenacity yarn, of nylon, other polyamides or of polyesters | 2.8% |
| 5407.51 | Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of textured polyester filaments, unbleached or bleached | 2.7% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 5407.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.33 per kg, 41% below the world average of $5.62, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Synthetic filament fabric exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $26.4 million of synthetic filament fabric in 2024 (5.4 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Lesotho (32%), Eswatini (24%), Botswana (22%). Among the main buyer markets, Botswana grew fastest (+52% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Lesotho | $8.5M | 32% |
| Eswatini | $6.4M | 24% |
| Botswana | $5.8M | 22% |
| Zimbabwe | $2.2M | 8.4% |
| Namibia | $1.7M | 6.4% |
| Mozambique | $536K | 2% |
| Mauritius | $293K | 1.1% |
| Zambia | $247K | 0.9% |
| United Arab Emirates | $138K | 0.5% |
| Ghana | $84K | 0.3% |
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 5407: Woven fabrics of synthetic filament yarn, including woven fabrics obtained from materials of heading no. 5404.
Common questions
What is the value of synthetic filament fabric imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported synthetic filament fabric worth $197.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 59.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 36th of 218 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 18% on 2023.
Which countries supply synthetic filament fabric to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 84% of the value ($165.8 million), followed by India (3%) and Taiwan (2%). The top three together account for 88%, out of 66 supplier countries in total. Saudi Arabia grew fastest among the top ten, up 134% on the year.
What is the average import price of synthetic filament fabric per kg?
The average declared import value was about $3.33 per kg in 2024, 41% below the world average of $5.62 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 synthetic filament fabric to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $213.7 million in 2017 to $197.1 million in 2024, a fall of 8%. The peak was 2018 at $229.8 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export synthetic filament fabric?
Yes. South Africa exported $26.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Lesotho, Eswatini and Botswana. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $170.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for synthetic filament fabric?
The HS code for synthetic filament fabric is heading 5407. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 5407.52 (45% of the value) and 5407.61 (12%). It sits in HS chapter 54 (man-made filaments; strip and the like of man-made textile materials). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 5407 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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