Tin-plated steel sheet thin imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $124.8 million of tin-plated steel sheet thin in 2024 (116.0 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 2%. That is 12% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 16% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2021, at $162.7 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 | $124.8M | 116.0K t |
| 2023 | $111.6M | 91.4K t |
| 2022 | $151.0M | 98.6K t |
| 2021 | $162.7M | 135.8K t |
| 2020 | $78.2M | 99.8K t |
| 2019 | $100.9M | 102.9K t |
| 2018 | $90.9M | 92.6K t |
| 2017 | $44.1M | 48.6K t |
Where South Africa imports tin-plated steel sheet thin from
China alone supplied 73% of it. Among the main suppliers, Japan grew fastest (+35% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $90.9M | 73% |
| Germany | $15.7M | 13% |
| Japan | $13.2M | 11% |
| Netherlands | $3.0M | 2.4% |
| Spain | $887K | 0.7% |
| India | $514K | 0.4% |
| Singapore | $379K | 0.3% |
| Switzerland | $192K | 0.2% |
| Italy | $29K | 0% |
| Ghana | $28K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.08 per kg, close to the world average of $1.22.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Tin-plated steel sheet thin exports from South Africa
Exports of tin-plated steel sheet thin by South Africa reached $2.7 million in 2024 (2.3 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Eswatini (22%), Brazil (16%), Namibia (15%). Among the main buyer markets, Malawi grew fastest (+265% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Eswatini | $589K | 22% |
| Brazil | $426K | 16% |
| Namibia | $405K | 15% |
| Zimbabwe | $310K | 12% |
| Lesotho | $299K | 11% |
| Botswana | $220K | 8.2% |
| DR Congo | $160K | 5.9% |
| Malawi | $85K | 3.2% |
| Mozambique | $84K | 3.1% |
| Republic of the Congo | $51K | 1.9% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa tin-plated steel sheet thin imports (HS 7210.12): 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 7210.12: Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, plated or coated with tin, thickness of less than 0.5mm.
Common questions
What is the value of tin-plated steel sheet thin imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported tin-plated steel sheet thin worth $124.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 116.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 14th of 162 countries worldwide, with 2% of world imports. The value was up 12% on 2023.
Which countries supply tin-plated steel sheet thin to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 73% of the value ($90.9 million), followed by Germany (13%) and Japan (11%). The top three together account for 96%, out of 13 supplier countries in total. Switzerland grew fastest among the top ten, up 186% on the year.
What is the average import price of tin-plated steel sheet thin per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.08 per kg in 2024, 11% below the world average of $1.22 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of tin-plated steel sheet thin to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $44.1 million in 2017 to $124.8 million in 2024, an increase of 183%. The peak was 2021 at $162.7 million. Over 8 years the average was $108.0 million a year.
Does South Africa also export tin-plated steel sheet thin?
Yes. South Africa exported $2.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Eswatini, Brazil and Namibia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $122.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for tin-plated steel sheet thin?
The HS code for tin-plated steel sheet thin is subheading 7210.12. It sits in HS chapter 72 (iron and steel). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7210 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 tin-plated steel sheet thin trade: top importers and exporters
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