Technical garment imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $23.7 million of technical garment in 2024 (3.9 thousand tonnes). Value rose 35% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2020, at $45.8 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 | $23.7M | 3.9K t |
| 2023 | $17.5M | 1.4K t |
| 2022 | $30.2M | 1.7K t |
| 2021 | $33.9M | 2.4K t |
| 2020 | $45.8M | 2.1K t |
| 2019 | $31.1M | 1.6K t |
| 2018 | $33.3M | 1.8K t |
| 2017 | $24.5M | 1.7K t |
Where South Africa imports technical garment from
China alone supplied 58% of it. Among the main suppliers, Lesotho grew fastest (+143% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $13.7M | 58% |
| Lesotho | $2.2M | 9.2% |
| Bulgaria | $1.5M | 6.3% |
| Vietnam | $1.0M | 4.4% |
| Cambodia | $913K | 3.9% |
| Eswatini | $804K | 3.4% |
| Romania | $599K | 2.5% |
| Bangladesh | $486K | 2.1% |
| Honduras | $368K | 1.6% |
| Indonesia | $325K | 1.4% |
Product types under HS 6210
| 6210.10 | Garments: of felt or non-wovens (not knitted or crocheted) | 50% |
| 6210.40 | Garments: men's or boys', n.e.c. in item no. 6210.2, of the fabrics of heading no. 5602, 5603, 5903, 5906 or 5907 (not knitted or crocheted) | 20% |
| 6210.30 | Garments: overcoats, raincoats, car-coats, capes, cloaks and similar articles, women's or girls', of the fabrics of heading no. 5602, 5603, 5903… | 12% |
| 6210.50 | Garments: women's or girls', n.e.c. in item no. 6210.3, of the fabrics of heading no. 5602, 5603, 5903, 5906 or 5907 (not knitted or crocheted) | 11% |
| 6210.20 | Garments: overcoats, raincoats, car-coats, capes, cloaks and similar articles, men's or boys', of the fabrics of heading no. 5602, 5603, 5903, 5906… | 7% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 6210.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $6.13 per kg, 68% below the world average of $19.37, 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.
Technical garment exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $4.4 million of technical garment in 2024 (422 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Namibia (15%), Botswana (13%), United Arab Emirates (8%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 36%. Among the main buyer markets, Zimbabwe grew fastest (+444% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $652K | 15% |
| Botswana | $573K | 13% |
| United Arab Emirates | $365K | 8.3% |
| Eswatini | $356K | 8.1% |
| Mozambique | $341K | 7.7% |
| Liberia | $284K | 6.4% |
| Zambia | $265K | 6% |
| Zimbabwe | $212K | 4.8% |
| Papua New Guinea | $173K | 3.9% |
| India | $144K | 3.3% |
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 6210: Garments made up of fabrics of heading no. 5602, 5603, 5903, 5906 or 5907 (not knitted or crocheted).
Common questions
What is the value of technical garment imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported technical garment worth $23.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 3.9 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 46th of 223 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 35% on 2023.
Which countries supply technical garment to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 58% of the value ($13.7 million), followed by Lesotho (9%) and Bulgaria (6%). The top three together account for 73%, out of 88 supplier countries in total. Romania grew fastest among the top ten, up 332% on the year.
What is the average import price of technical garment per kg?
The average declared import value was about $6.13 per kg in 2024, 68% below the world average of $19.37 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 technical garment to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $24.5 million in 2017 to $23.7 million in 2024, a fall of 3%. The peak was 2020 at $45.8 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export technical garment?
Yes. South Africa exported $4.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Botswana and the United Arab Emirates. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $19.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for technical garment?
The HS code for technical garment is heading 6210. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 6210.10 (50% of the value) and 6210.40 (20%). It sits in HS chapter 62 (apparel and clothing accessories; not knitted or crocheted). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 6210 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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