Synthetic rubber imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported synthetic rubber worth $103.6 million (46.6 thousand tonnes). The value was almost unchanged from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $137.5 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 | $103.6M | 46.6K t |
| 2023 | $105.6M | 53.1K t |
| 2022 | $137.5M | 55.3K t |
| 2021 | $118.4M | 60.2K t |
| 2020 | $73.5M | 47.0K t |
| 2019 | $108.1M | 57.5K t |
| 2018 | $105.5M | 49.4K t |
| 2017 | $74.9M | 33.7K t |
Where South Africa imports synthetic rubber from
The largest suppliers were China (14%), Poland (14%), Italy (12%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 40%. Among the main suppliers, Japan grew fastest (+37% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $14.7M | 14% |
| Poland | $14.5M | 14% |
| Italy | $12.0M | 12% |
| South Korea | $8.9M | 8.6% |
| Japan | $7.7M | 7.5% |
| Czech Republic | $6.3M | 6.1% |
| United Kingdom | $5.8M | 5.6% |
| Germany | $5.0M | 4.8% |
| Singapore | $4.4M | 4.3% |
| United States | $4.1M | 3.9% |
Product types under HS 4002
| 4002.19 | Rubber: synthetic, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and carboxylated styrene-butadiene rubber (XSBR), (other than latex), in primary forms or in… | 43% |
| 4002.20 | Rubber: synthetic, butadiene rubber (BR), in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip | 21% |
| 4002.49 | Rubber: synthetic, chloroprene (chlorobutadiene) rubber (CR), (other than latex), in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip | 11% |
| 4002.31 | Rubber: synthetic, isobutene-isoprene (butyl) rubber (IIR), in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip | 5.8% |
| 4002.39 | Rubber: synthetic, halo-isobutene-isoprene rubber (CIIR or BIIR), in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip | 4.3% |
| 4002.99 | Rubber: synthetic, n.e.c. in heading 4002, (other than latex), in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip | 3.4% |
| 4002.70 | Rubber: synthetic, ethylene-propylene-non-conjugated diene rubber (EPDM), in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip | 3.4% |
| 4002.51 | Rubber: synthetic, acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), latex, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip | 2.7% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 4002.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.22 per kg, close to the world average of $2.02.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Synthetic rubber exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported synthetic rubber worth $2.4 million (1.0 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Spain (17%), Namibia (13%), United Kingdom (11%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 41%. Among the main buyer markets, United Kingdom grew fastest (+55% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | $413K | 17% |
| Namibia | $320K | 13% |
| United Kingdom | $270K | 11% |
| Singapore | $219K | 9% |
| Belgium | $188K | 7.7% |
| Turkey | $126K | 5.2% |
| Zambia | $126K | 5.2% |
| Zimbabwe | $117K | 4.8% |
| China | $114K | 4.7% |
| Australia | $106K | 4.3% |
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 4002: Synthetic rubber and factice derived from oils, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip; mixtures of heading no. 4001 and 4002, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip.
Common questions
What is the value of synthetic rubber imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported synthetic rubber worth $103.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 46.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 37th of 209 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 2% on 2023.
Which countries supply synthetic rubber to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 14% of the value ($14.7 million), followed by Poland (14%) and Italy (12%). The top three together account for 40%, out of 48 supplier countries in total. Japan grew fastest among the top ten, up 37% on the year.
What is the average import price of synthetic rubber per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.22 per kg in 2024, 10% above the world average of $2.02 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 rubber to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $74.9 million in 2017 to $103.6 million in 2024, an increase of 38%. The peak was 2022 at $137.5 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export synthetic rubber?
Yes. South Africa exported $2.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Spain, Namibia and the United Kingdom. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $101.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for synthetic rubber?
The HS code for synthetic rubber is heading 4002. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 4002.19 (43% of the value) and 4002.20 (21%). It sits in HS chapter 40 (rubber and articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 4002 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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