T-shirt and vest imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $252.6 million of t-shirt and vest in 2024 (13.4 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 10% on 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 | $252.6M | 13.4K t |
| 2023 | $228.8M | 7.6K t |
| 2022 | $252.2M | 7.7K t |
| 2021 | $225.9M | 7.7K t |
| 2020 | $168.6M | 5.9K t |
| 2019 | $205.0M | 8.2K t |
| 2018 | $207.3M | 7.6K t |
| 2017 | $213.3M | 7.8K t |
Where South Africa imports t-shirt and vest from
Most of the value came from China (27%), Madagascar (18%), Mauritius (11%). Among the main suppliers, Vietnam grew fastest (+59% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $68.8M | 27% |
| Madagascar | $45.7M | 18% |
| Mauritius | $28.2M | 11% |
| India | $21.0M | 8.3% |
| Lesotho | $16.9M | 6.7% |
| Bangladesh | $16.7M | 6.6% |
| Eswatini | $12.6M | 5% |
| Vietnam | $9.2M | 3.7% |
| Italy | $4.8M | 1.9% |
| Cambodia | $4.2M | 1.7% |
Product types under HS 6109
| 6109.10 | T-shirts, singlets and other vests: of cotton, knitted or crocheted | 66% |
| 6109.90 | T-shirts, singlets and other vests: of textile materials (other than cotton), knitted or crocheted | 34% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 6109.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $18.79 per kg, close to the world average of $21.32.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
T-shirt and vest exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported t-shirt and vest worth $49.0 million (1.6 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Botswana (32%), Namibia (28%), Eswatini (10%). Among the main buyer markets, Botswana grew fastest (+57% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $15.9M | 32% |
| Namibia | $13.5M | 28% |
| Eswatini | $4.9M | 9.9% |
| Lesotho | $2.8M | 5.8% |
| Zambia | $2.2M | 4.5% |
| Mozambique | $1.9M | 3.9% |
| Chad | $1.4M | 2.9% |
| Kenya | $1.1M | 2.3% |
| Mauritius | $580K | 1.2% |
| Zimbabwe | $543K | 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 6109: T-shirts, singlets and other vests; knitted or crocheted.
Common questions
What is the value of t-shirt and vest imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported t-shirt and vest worth $252.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 13.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 41st of 225 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 10% on 2023.
Which countries supply t-shirt and vest to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 27% of the value ($68.8 million), followed by Madagascar (18%) and Mauritius (11%). The top three together account for 56%, out of 142 supplier countries in total. Vietnam grew fastest among the top ten, up 59% on the year.
What is the average import price of t-shirt and vest per kg?
The average declared import value was about $18.79 per kg in 2024, 12% below the world average of $21.32 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 t-shirt and vest to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $213.3 million in 2017 to $252.6 million in 2024, an increase of 18%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export t-shirt and vest?
Yes. South Africa exported $49.0 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Botswana, Namibia and Eswatini. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $203.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for t-shirt and vest?
The HS code for t-shirt and vest is heading 6109. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 6109.10 (66% of the value) and 6109.90 (34%). It sits in HS chapter 61 (apparel and clothing accessories; knitted or crocheted). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 6109 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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