Thick hot-rolled steel coil imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of thick hot-rolled steel coil by South Africa reached $21.8 million in 2024 (34.4 thousand tonnes). That is 102% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 24% a year on average.
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 | $21.8M | 34.4K t |
| 2023 | $10.8M | 16.9K t |
| 2022 | $23.6M | 29.1K t |
| 2021 | $18.2M | 26.2K t |
| 2020 | $20.9M | 45.1K t |
| 2019 | $14.1M | 28.0K t |
| 2018 | $2.8M | 4.7K t |
| 2017 | $5.0M | 7.9K t |
Where South Africa imports thick hot-rolled steel coil from
China alone supplied 94% of it. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+184% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $20.5M | 94% |
| Japan | $1.2M | 5.4% |
| India | $61K | 0.3% |
| Belgium | $39K | 0.2% |
| Spain | $17K | 0.1% |
| Italy | $0K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.63 per kg, close to the world average of $0.64.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Thick hot-rolled steel coil exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $6.9 million of thick hot-rolled steel coil in 2024 (20.2 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Vietnam (47%), Mozambique (11%), Egypt (10%). Among the main buyer markets, Egypt grew fastest (+157% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | $3.2M | 47% |
| Mozambique | $773K | 11% |
| Egypt | $716K | 10% |
| Switzerland | $397K | 5.8% |
| Zambia | $374K | 5.5% |
| Belgium | $340K | 5% |
| Kenya | $339K | 4.9% |
| Pakistan | $193K | 2.8% |
| Zimbabwe | $121K | 1.8% |
| Ukraine | $92K | 1.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa thick hot-rolled steel coil imports (HS 7208.37): 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 7208.37: Iron or non-alloy steel: in coils, without patterns in relief, flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, of a thickness of 4.75mm or more but not exceeding 10mm.
Common questions
What is the value of thick hot-rolled steel coil imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported thick hot-rolled steel coil worth $21.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 34.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 43rd of 168 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 102% on 2023.
Which countries supply thick hot-rolled steel coil to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 94% of the value ($20.5 million), followed by Japan (5%) and India (0%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 6 supplier countries in total. China grew fastest among the top ten, up 184% on the year.
What is the average import price of thick hot-rolled steel coil per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.63 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $0.64 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of thick hot-rolled steel coil to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $5.0 million in 2017 to $21.8 million in 2024, an increase of 339%. The peak was 2022 at $23.6 million. Over 8 years the average was $14.6 million a year.
Does South Africa also export thick hot-rolled steel coil?
Yes. South Africa exported $6.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Vietnam, Mozambique and Egypt. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $14.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for thick hot-rolled steel coil?
The HS code for thick hot-rolled steel coil is subheading 7208.37. It sits in HS chapter 72 (iron and steel). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7208 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 thick hot-rolled steel coil trade: top importers and exporters
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