Water pipe tobacco imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $2.6 million of water pipe tobacco in 2024 (538 tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 20% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2023, at $3.3 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 | $2.6M | 538 t |
| 2023 | $3.3M | 730 t |
| 2022 | $2.6M | 391 t |
| 2021 | $2.2M | 368 t |
| 2020 | $2.3M | 353 t |
| 2019 | $3.1M | 645 t |
| 2018 | $3.0M | 468 t |
| 2017 | $1.9M | 389 t |
Where South Africa imports water pipe tobacco from
Most of the value came from Egypt (44%), India (34%), Uganda (10%). Among the main suppliers, United Arab Emirates grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Egypt | $1.1M | 44% |
| India | $888K | 34% |
| Uganda | $260K | 9.9% |
| United Arab Emirates | $207K | 7.9% |
| Turkey | $108K | 4.1% |
| Jordan | $3K | 0.1% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.85 per kg, 43% below the world average of $8.48, 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.
Water pipe tobacco exports from South Africa
Exports of water pipe tobacco by South Africa reached $2.2 million in 2024 (484 tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Namibia alone took 84% of it.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $1.9M | 84% |
| United States | $167K | 7.6% |
| Zambia | $80K | 3.6% |
| Angola | $61K | 2.8% |
| Mozambique | $37K | 1.7% |
| Botswana | $2K | 0.1% |
| Mauritius | $1K | 0% |
| Zimbabwe | $0K | 0% |
| Tanzania | $0K | 0% |
| Germany | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa water pipe tobacco imports (HS 2403.11): 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 2403.11: Tobacco: smoking, water pipe tobacco as specified in Subheading Note 1 to this Chapter, whether or not containing tobacco substitutes in any proportion.
Common questions
What is the value of water pipe tobacco imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported water pipe tobacco worth $2.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 538 tonnes. That ranks it 25th of 155 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 20% on 2023.
Which countries supply water pipe tobacco to South Africa?
Egypt was the largest supplier with 44% of the value ($1.1 million), followed by India (34%) and Uganda (10%). The top three together account for 88%, out of 6 supplier countries in total. Egypt grew fastest among the top ten, up 44% on the year.
What is the average import price of water pipe tobacco per kg?
The average declared import value was about $4.85 per kg in 2024, 43% below the world average of $8.48 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of water pipe tobacco to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $1.9 million in 2017 to $2.6 million in 2024, an increase of 36%. The peak was 2023 at $3.3 million. Over 8 years the average was $2.6 million a year.
Does South Africa also export water pipe tobacco?
Yes. South Africa exported $2.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, the United States and Zambia. That compares with imports of $2.6 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for water pipe tobacco?
The HS code for water pipe tobacco is subheading 2403.11. It sits in HS chapter 24 (tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes; products, whether or not containing nicotine, intended for inhalation without combustion; other nicotine containing products intended for the intake of nicotine into the human body). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2403 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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