Thick hot-rolled steel sheet imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported thick hot-rolled steel sheet worth $17.0 million (24.8 thousand tonnes). That is 32% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 19% 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 | $17.0M | 24.8K t |
| 2023 | $12.8M | 17.9K t |
| 2022 | $9.8M | 10.1K t |
| 2021 | $8.3M | 10.8K t |
| 2020 | $6.1M | 9.8K t |
| 2019 | $1.8M | 1.9K t |
| 2018 | $2.1M | 2.8K t |
| 2017 | $5.0M | 9.5K t |
Where South Africa imports thick hot-rolled steel sheet from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 87% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $14.7M | 87% |
| Indonesia | $1.1M | 6.4% |
| Belgium | $483K | 2.8% |
| Denmark | $461K | 2.7% |
| Germany | $120K | 0.7% |
| Finland | $77K | 0.5% |
| Brazil | $30K | 0.2% |
| Sweden | $9K | 0.1% |
| Zambia | $8K | 0.1% |
| Netherlands | $6K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.68 per kg, close to the world average of $0.77.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Thick hot-rolled steel sheet exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $12.5 million of thick hot-rolled steel sheet in 2024 (11.7 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Zimbabwe (46%), Zambia (26%), Malawi (6%).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $5.7M | 46% |
| Zambia | $3.3M | 26% |
| Malawi | $743K | 6% |
| Mozambique | $630K | 5.1% |
| DR Congo | $563K | 4.5% |
| Botswana | $450K | 3.6% |
| Namibia | $187K | 1.5% |
| Angola | $169K | 1.4% |
| Tanzania | $155K | 1.3% |
| Madagascar | $145K | 1.2% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa thick hot-rolled steel sheet imports (HS 7208.52): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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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 7208.52: Iron or non-alloy steel: (not in coils), flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, without patterns in relief, of a thickness of 4.75mm or more but not exceeding 10mm.
Common questions
What is the value of thick hot-rolled steel sheet imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported thick hot-rolled steel sheet worth $17.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 24.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 58th of 203 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 32% on 2023.
Which countries supply thick hot-rolled steel sheet to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 87% of the value ($14.7 million), followed by Indonesia (6%) and Belgium (3%). The top three together account for 96%, out of 14 supplier countries in total. Germany grew fastest among the top ten, up 52% on the year.
What is the average import price of thick hot-rolled steel sheet per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.68 per kg in 2024, 12% below the world average of $0.77 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of thick hot-rolled steel sheet to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $5.0 million in 2017 to $17.0 million in 2024, an increase of 242%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $7.9 million a year.
Does South Africa also export thick hot-rolled steel sheet?
Yes. South Africa exported $12.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $4.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for thick hot-rolled steel sheet?
The HS code for thick hot-rolled steel sheet is subheading 7208.52. 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 sheet trade: top importers and exporters
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