Toiletry exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, South Africa exported toiletry worth $115.4 million (24.9 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. That is 14% 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 .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $115.4M | 24.9K t |
| 2023 | $101.3M | 23.6K t |
| 2022 | $92.4M | 22.8K t |
| 2021 | $81.4M | 21.4K t |
| 2020 | $74.1M | 21.6K t |
| 2019 | $86.1M | 21.8K t |
| 2018 | $94.9M | 22.3K t |
| 2017 | $92.6M | 24.7K t |
Where South Africa exports toiletry to
Most of it went to Namibia (16%), Botswana (15%), Zimbabwe (8%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 39%. Among the main buyer markets, United Kingdom grew fastest (+90% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $18.8M | 16% |
| Botswana | $16.9M | 15% |
| Zimbabwe | $9.1M | 7.9% |
| United Kingdom | $8.2M | 7.2% |
| Netherlands | $7.1M | 6.1% |
| Zambia | $7.1M | 6.1% |
| United Arab Emirates | $5.7M | 5% |
| Mozambique | $5.0M | 4.3% |
| Eswatini | $4.2M | 3.7% |
| Lesotho | $4.2M | 3.6% |
Product types under HS 3307
| 3307.20 | Perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations: personal deodorants and antiperspirants | 70% |
| 3307.49 | Perfumes and deodorizers: perfuming or deodorizing preparations for rooms, (excluding those which operate by burning) | 10% |
| 3307.90 | Perfumes and deodorizers: perfuming or deodorizing preparations n.e.c. in heading no. 3307 | 8.9% |
| 3307.30 | Perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations: perfumed bath salts and other bath preparations | 6.8% |
| 3307.10 | Perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations: pre-shave, shaving or after-shave preparations | 3.6% |
| 3307.41 | Perfumes and deodorizers: perfuming or deodorizing preparations for rooms, agarbatti and other odoriferous preparations which operate by burning… | 0.4% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3307.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.64 per kg, 27% below the world average of $6.32, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Toiletry imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $84.5 million of toiletry in 2024 (15.1 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. The largest suppliers were Germany (38%), China (16%), Poland (11%). Among the main suppliers, Italy grew fastest (+41% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | $32.5M | 39% |
| China | $13.5M | 16% |
| Poland | $9.4M | 11% |
| United States | $7.6M | 9% |
| Italy | $4.9M | 5.8% |
| United Kingdom | $4.1M | 4.8% |
| India | $3.8M | 4.5% |
| France | $1.2M | 1.5% |
| Spain | $830K | 1% |
| Turkey | $802K | 1% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
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.
Updated weekly on EximDataX (some markets daily), while public statistics stop at 2024.
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 3307: Perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations; pre-shave, shaving, after-shave, bath preparations; personal deodorants and depilatories; room deodorisers, perfumed or not with disinfectant properties or not.
Common questions
What is the value of toiletry exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported toiletry worth $115.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 24.9 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 26th of 204 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 14% on 2023.
Which countries buy toiletry from South Africa?
Namibia was the largest buyer with 16% of the value ($18.8 million), followed by Botswana (15%) and Zimbabwe (8%). The top three together account for 39%, out of 118 buyer countries in total. The United Kingdom grew fastest among the top ten, up 90% on the year.
What is the average export price of toiletry per kg?
The average declared export value was about $4.64 per kg in 2024, 27% below the world average of $6.32 per kg. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so it blends every grade and size; use it as a benchmark, not a quote. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
How have exports of toiletry from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $92.6 million in 2017 to $115.4 million in 2024, an increase of 25%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import toiletry?
Yes. South Africa imported $84.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Germany, China and Poland. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $30.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for toiletry?
The HS code for toiletry is heading 3307. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 3307.20 (70% of the value) and 3307.49 (10%). It sits in HS chapter 33 (essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3307 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, updated weekly, so you can see the companies that ship to and from it. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
More trade data for South Africa
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