Technical textile (other articles) imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported technical textile (other articles) worth $21.6 million (1.9 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 5% 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 | $21.6M | 1.9K t |
| 2023 | $20.5M | 1.8K t |
| 2022 | $19.8M | 1.5K t |
| 2021 | $19.8M | 1.6K t |
| 2020 | $14.6M | 1.2K t |
| 2019 | $18.3M | 1.5K t |
| 2018 | $25.9M | 1.9K t |
| 2017 | $20.9M | 1.6K t |
Where South Africa imports technical textile (other articles) from
The largest suppliers were China (32%), Germany (17%), India (10%). Among the main suppliers, Japan grew fastest (+318% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $6.9M | 32% |
| Germany | $3.8M | 17% |
| India | $2.2M | 10% |
| France | $1.7M | 8% |
| Philippines | $757K | 3.5% |
| United States | $704K | 3.3% |
| Japan | $700K | 3.2% |
| Belgium | $635K | 2.9% |
| Portugal | $539K | 2.5% |
| Italy | $506K | 2.4% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $11.49 per kg, close to the world average of $11.43.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Technical textile (other articles) exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $10.5 million of technical textile (other articles) in 2024 (554 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were DR Congo (13%), United States (13%), Zambia (12%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 37%. Among the main buyer markets, United States grew fastest (+720% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DR Congo | $1.4M | 13% |
| United States | $1.3M | 13% |
| Zambia | $1.2M | 12% |
| Mozambique | $1.2M | 11% |
| Namibia | $909K | 8.7% |
| Chile | $837K | 8% |
| Botswana | $583K | 5.6% |
| Zimbabwe | $480K | 4.6% |
| Eswatini | $224K | 2.1% |
| Senegal | $218K | 2.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa technical textile (other articles) imports (HS 5911.90): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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.
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 5911.90: Textile products and articles for technical uses: n.e.c. in heading no. 5911.
Common questions
What is the value of technical textile (other articles) imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported technical textile (other articles) worth $21.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.9 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 38th of 216 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 5% on 2023.
Which countries supply technical textile (other articles) to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 32% of the value ($6.9 million), followed by Germany (17%) and India (10%). The top three together account for 60%, out of 75 supplier countries in total. Japan grew fastest among the top ten, up 318% on the year.
What is the average import price of technical textile (other articles) per kg?
The average declared import value was about $11.49 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $11.43 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of technical textile (other articles) to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $20.9 million in 2017 to $21.6 million in 2024, an increase of 3%. The peak was 2018 at $25.9 million. Over 8 years the average was $20.2 million a year.
Does South Africa also export technical textile (other articles)?
Yes. South Africa exported $10.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the DR Congo, the United States and Zambia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $11.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for technical textile (other articles)?
The HS code for technical textile (other articles) is subheading 5911.90. It sits in HS chapter 59 (textile fabrics; impregnated, coated, covered or laminated; textile articles of a kind suitable for industrial use). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 5911 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For South Africa, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World technical textile (other articles) trade: top importers and exporters
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.