Women's knit underwear imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $73.8 million of women's knit underwear in 2024 (7.1 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 29% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
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 | $73.8M | 7.1K t |
| 2023 | $57.4M | 2.0K t |
| 2022 | $74.6M | 2.5K t |
| 2021 | $79.2M | 2.8K t |
| 2020 | $59.2M | 2.2K t |
| 2019 | $73.8M | 2.9K t |
| 2018 | $72.0M | 2.5K t |
| 2017 | $66.7M | 2.4K t |
Where South Africa imports women's knit underwear from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 90% of the value. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+31% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $66.1M | 90% |
| Madagascar | $2.1M | 2.9% |
| Hong Kong | $1.1M | 1.5% |
| Bangladesh | $1.1M | 1.5% |
| Lesotho | $614K | 0.8% |
| Vietnam | $600K | 0.8% |
| Myanmar | $333K | 0.5% |
| Indonesia | $305K | 0.4% |
| Mauritius | $285K | 0.4% |
| India | $243K | 0.3% |
Product types under HS 6108
| 6108.22 | Briefs and panties: women's or girls', of man-made fibres, knitted or crocheted | 36% |
| 6108.32 | Nightdresses and pyjamas: women's or girls', of man-made fibres, knitted or crocheted | 16% |
| 6108.21 | Briefs and panties: women's or girls', of cotton, knitted or crocheted | 16% |
| 6108.92 | Negligees, bathrobes, dressing gowns and similar articles: women's or girls', of man-made fibres, knitted or crocheted | 12% |
| 6108.91 | Negligees, bathrobes, dressing gowns and similar articles: women's or girls', of cotton, knitted or crocheted | 6.4% |
| 6108.31 | Nightdresses and pyjamas: women's or girls', of cotton, knitted or crocheted | 6% |
| 6108.11 | Slips and petticoats: women's or girls', of man-made fibres, knitted or crocheted | 3.8% |
| 6108.29 | Briefs and panties: women's or girls', of textile materials (other than cotton or man-made fibres), knitted or crocheted | 2.3% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 6108.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $10.37 per kg, 49% below the world average of $20.31, 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.
Women's knit underwear exports from South Africa
Exports of women's knit underwear by South Africa reached $11.8 million in 2024 (439 tonnes). Most of it went to Namibia (32%), Botswana (29%), Lesotho (12%). Among the main buyer markets, Eswatini grew fastest (+90% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $3.8M | 32% |
| Botswana | $3.4M | 29% |
| Lesotho | $1.4M | 12% |
| Eswatini | $1.3M | 11% |
| Kenya | $543K | 4.6% |
| Zambia | $415K | 3.5% |
| Mauritius | $303K | 2.6% |
| Mozambique | $230K | 1.9% |
| Tanzania | $116K | 1% |
| Angola | $99K | 0.8% |
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 6108: Slips, petticoats, briefs, panties, nightdresses, pyjamas, negligees, bathrobes, dressing gowns and similar articles; women's or girls', knitted or crocheted.
Common questions
What is the value of women's knit underwear imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported women's knit underwear worth $73.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 7.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 33rd of 217 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 29% on 2023.
Which countries supply women's knit underwear to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 90% of the value ($66.1 million), followed by Madagascar (3%) and Hong Kong (2%). The top three together account for 94%, out of 83 supplier countries in total. Hong Kong grew fastest among the top ten, up 427% on the year.
What is the average import price of women's knit underwear per kg?
The average declared import value was about $10.37 per kg in 2024, 49% below the world average of $20.31 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 imports of women's knit underwear to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $66.7 million in 2017 to $73.8 million in 2024, an increase of 11%. The peak was 2021 at $79.2 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export women's knit underwear?
Yes. South Africa exported $11.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Botswana and Lesotho. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $61.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for women's knit underwear?
The HS code for women's knit underwear is heading 6108. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 6108.22 (36% of the value) and 6108.32 (16%). It sits in HS chapter 61 (apparel and clothing accessories; knitted or crocheted). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 6108 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.
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.