Toilet paper exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of toilet paper by South Africa reached $49.8 million in 2024 (22.6 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. That is close to the 2023 level. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $49.8M | 22.6K t |
| 2023 | $51.0M | 23.5K t |
| 2022 | $42.1M | 22.0K t |
| 2021 | $39.2M | 19.4K t |
| 2020 | $33.8M | 19.4K t |
| 2019 | $34.4M | 18.2K t |
| 2018 | $32.8M | 16.3K t |
| 2017 | $31.9M | 16.8K t |
Where South Africa exports toilet paper to
The largest buyer markets were Botswana (27%), Namibia (26%), Zimbabwe (15%).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $13.5M | 27% |
| Namibia | $13.1M | 26% |
| Zimbabwe | $7.5M | 15% |
| Eswatini | $4.0M | 8.1% |
| Lesotho | $3.4M | 6.7% |
| Zambia | $3.2M | 6.4% |
| Mozambique | $2.8M | 5.7% |
| Malawi | $1.4M | 2.7% |
| DR Congo | $493K | 1% |
| Republic of the Congo | $225K | 0.5% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.21 per kg, close to the world average of $2.07.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Toilet paper imports to South Africa
Imports of toilet paper by South Africa reached $1.0 million in 2024 (692 tonnes). France alone supplied 68% of it. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+95% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| France | $698K | 68% |
| Indonesia | $90K | 8.7% |
| China | $87K | 8.4% |
| Sweden | $66K | 6.4% |
| Lesotho | $25K | 2.5% |
| Cambodia | $14K | 1.3% |
| Germany | $10K | 1% |
| Portugal | $9K | 0.9% |
| Turkey | $6K | 0.5% |
| Belgium | $5K | 0.5% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa toilet paper exports (HS 4818.10): 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 4818.10: Paper articles: toilet paper.
Common questions
What is the value of toilet paper exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported toilet paper worth $49.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 22.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 23rd of 148 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was down 2% on 2023.
Which countries buy toilet paper from South Africa?
Botswana was the largest buyer with 27% of the value ($13.5 million), followed by Namibia (26%) and Zimbabwe (15%). The top three together account for 68%, out of 36 buyer countries in total. The DR Congo grew fastest among the top ten, up 200% on the year.
What is the average export price of toilet paper per kg?
The average declared export value was about $2.21 per kg in 2024, 7% above the world average of $2.07 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have exports of toilet paper from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $31.9 million in 2017 to $49.8 million in 2024, an increase of 56%. The peak was 2023 at $51.0 million. Over 8 years the average was $39.4 million a year.
Does South Africa also import toilet paper?
Yes. South Africa imported $1.0 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from France, Indonesia and China. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $48.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for toilet paper?
The HS code for toilet paper is subheading 4818.10. It sits in HS chapter 48 (paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or paperboard). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 4818 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for South Africa. Tell us your product to see it live.
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