South Africa (ZAF)

Annual exports and imports in 2024 (USD).

Source: UN Comtrade. Warehouse 1: partner = World totals by HS4 and year.

Exports

$110.11B

Imports

$101.24B

Total trade

$211.35B

Trade balance

$8.87B

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South Africa - trade dependency by partner, 2024 (USD)

Share of exports, imports, and total trade attributed to each partner.

Year: 2024 | Unit: USD | Snapshot: 20251222 | Source: UN Comtrade

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Showing top 10 partners by total dependency.

Rank #1

China (CHN)

Total

16.2%

Exports

11.3%

$12.41B

Imports

21.5%

$21.76B

Total

16.2%

$34.16B

Rank #2

USA (USA)

Total

7.2%

Exports

7.5%

$8.20B

Imports

6.9%

$6.97B

Total

7.2%

$15.18B

Rank #3

Germany (DEU)

Total

6.7%

Exports

6.4%

$7.08B

Imports

7.0%

$7.09B

Total

6.7%

$14.17B

Rank #4

India (IND)

Total

5.7%

Exports

4.3%

$4.74B

Imports

7.2%

$7.32B

Total

5.7%

$12.06B

Rank #5

Mozambique (MOZ)

Total

3.6%

Exports

6.0%

$6.57B

Imports

1.1%

$1.06B

Total

3.6%

$7.63B

Rank #6

Japan (JPN)

Total

3.4%

Exports

4.4%

$4.88B

Imports

2.3%

$2.31B

Total

3.4%

$7.19B

Rank #7

United Kingdom (GBR)

Total

3.3%

Exports

4.8%

$5.27B

Imports

1.6%

$1.65B

Total

3.3%

$6.92B

Rank #8

United Arab Emirates (ARE)

Total

2.7%

Exports

2.4%

$2.68B

Imports

2.9%

$2.97B

Total

2.7%

$5.65B

Rank #9

Netherlands (NLD)

Total

2.6%

Exports

3.9%

$4.28B

Imports

1.3%

$1.28B

Total

2.6%

$5.56B

Rank #10

Namibia (NAM)

Total

2.4%

Exports

3.5%

$3.85B

Imports

1.2%

$1.22B

Total

2.4%

$5.06B

Rank	Partner	Export dependency	Import dependency	Total dependency
1	China (CHN)	11.3% $12.41B	21.5% $21.76B	16.2% $34.16B
2	USA (USA)	7.5% $8.20B	6.9% $6.97B	7.2% $15.18B
3	Germany (DEU)	6.4% $7.08B	7.0% $7.09B	6.7% $14.17B
4	India (IND)	4.3% $4.74B	7.2% $7.32B	5.7% $12.06B
5	Mozambique (MOZ)	6.0% $6.57B	1.1% $1.06B	3.6% $7.63B
6	Japan (JPN)	4.4% $4.88B	2.3% $2.31B	3.4% $7.19B
7	United Kingdom (GBR)	4.8% $5.27B	1.6% $1.65B	3.3% $6.92B
8	United Arab Emirates (ARE)	2.4% $2.68B	2.9% $2.97B	2.7% $5.65B
9	Netherlands (NLD)	3.9% $4.28B	1.3% $1.28B	2.6% $5.56B
10	Namibia (NAM)	3.5% $3.85B	1.2% $1.22B	2.4% $5.06B

Generated by TradeVedia.comSource: UN Comtrade

In 2024, South Africa exported $110.1B and imported $101.2B, resulting in a positive trade balance of $8.9B.
South Africa ranks #35 globally in total trade, #34 in exports, and #37 in imports.
The country's top export is Natural, cultured pearls and precious stones ($20.3B), with its primary export partner being China ($12.4B).
Top imports include Mineral fuels and oils ($19.6B) and Machinery ($12.9B), with China being the largest source of imports, accounting for 21.5% of the total.
Vehicles are a major export, contributing $12.6B to the nation's trade.
The top import partner for South Africa is China, with an import value of $21.8B.

South Africa's Exports Profile

In 2024, South Africa's exports were valued at $110.1B. The country's most significant exports are in the raw materials sectors. The leading export category is Natural, cultured pearls; precious stones, and metals (HS2 71), which accounts for $20.3B or 18.4% of total exports. Following this are Ores, slag and ash (HS2 26) at $17.2B. Vehicles (HS2 87) also represent a substantial portion of exports at $12.6B. South Africa's main export destinations are China, the United States, and Germany.

South Africa's Imports Profile

South Africa's imports in 2024 totaled $101.2B. The most significant import category was Mineral fuels, mineral oils (HS2 27), with a value of $19.6B, making up 19.4% of all imports. This was followed by Machinery and mechanical appliances (HS2 84) at $12.9B and Electrical machinery and equipment (HS2 85) at $9.9B. The primary source for imports is China, providing 21.5% of the country's total imports at a value of $21.8B. Other key import partners include India and Germany.

Exports

South Africa - exports over time (Exports), 2015-2024 (USD)

Annual reported export values across available years.

Flow: Exports | Years: 2015-2024 | Unit: USD | Source: UN Comtrade

Generated by TradeVedia.comSource: UN Comtrade

Top export categories

Largest HS2 categories by export value in the selected year.

#1 • HS 71

Natural, cultured pearls; precious, semi-precious stones; precious metals, metals clad with precious metal, and articles thereof; imitation jewellery; coin

$20.31B

18.4% share

#2 • HS 26

Ores, slag and ash

$17.21B

15.6% share

#3 • HS 87

Vehicles; other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof

$12.57B

11.4% share

#4 • HS 27

Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes

$10.57B

9.6% share

#5 • HS 72

Iron and steel

$5.77B

5.2% share

#6 • HS 84

Machinery and mechanical appliances, boilers, nuclear reactors; parts thereof

$5.66B

5.1% share

#7 • HS 08

Fruit and nuts, edible; peel of citrus fruit or melons

$4.95B

4.5% share

#8 • HS 85

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers, parts and accessories of such articles

$2.30B

2.1% share

#9 • HS 76

Aluminium and articles thereof

$2.17B

2.0% share

#10 • HS 22

Beverages, spirits and vinegar

$1.53B

1.4% share

#11 • HS 39

Plastics and articles thereof

$1.45B

1.3% share

#12 • HS 73

Iron or steel articles

$1.29B

1.2% share

#13 • HS 47

Pulp of wood or other fibrous cellulosic material; recovered (waste and scrap) paper or paperboard

$1.17B

1.1% share

#14 • HS 10

Cereals

$1.17B

1.1% share

#15 • HS 28

Inorganic chemicals; organic and inorganic compounds of precious metals; of rare earth metals, of radio-active elements and of isotopes

$1.14B

1.0% share

Rank	Category	Value	Share
1	Natural, cultured pearls; precious, semi-precious stones; precious metals, metals clad with precious metal, and articles thereof; imitation jewellery; coin	$20.31B	18.4%
2	Ores, slag and ash	$17.21B	15.6%
3	Vehicles; other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof	$12.57B	11.4%
4	Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes	$10.57B	9.6%
5	Iron and steel	$5.77B	5.2%
6	Machinery and mechanical appliances, boilers, nuclear reactors; parts thereof	$5.66B	5.1%
7	Fruit and nuts, edible; peel of citrus fruit or melons	$4.95B	4.5%
8	Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers, parts and accessories of such articles	$2.30B	2.1%
9	Aluminium and articles thereof	$2.17B	2.0%
10	Beverages, spirits and vinegar	$1.53B	1.4%
11	Plastics and articles thereof	$1.45B	1.3%
12	Iron or steel articles	$1.29B	1.2%
13	Pulp of wood or other fibrous cellulosic material; recovered (waste and scrap) paper or paperboard	$1.17B	1.1%
14	Cereals	$1.17B	1.1%
15	Inorganic chemicals; organic and inorganic compounds of precious metals; of rare earth metals, of radio-active elements and of isotopes	$1.14B	1.0%

Labels hide HS codes by default — hover a category to reveal the code.

South Africa - export composition by product categories (Exports), 2024 (USD)

Largest product categories by export value in the selected year.

Flow: Exports | Year: 2024 | Unit: USD | Source: UN Comtrade

Generated by TradeVedia.comSource: UN Comtrade

South Africa - export composition by 4-digit product groups (Exports), 2024 (USD)

Area reflects share within the displayed list; hover for product codes.

Flow: Exports | Year: 2024 | Unit: USD | Source: UN Comtrade

Generated by TradeVedia.comSource: UN Comtrade

Imports

South Africa - imports over time (Imports), 2015-2024 (USD)

Annual reported import values across available years.

Flow: Imports | Years: 2015-2024 | Unit: USD | Source: UN Comtrade

Generated by TradeVedia.comSource: UN Comtrade

Top import categories

Largest HS2 categories by import value in the selected year.

#1 • HS 27

Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes

$19.61B

19.4% share

#2 • HS 84

Machinery and mechanical appliances, boilers, nuclear reactors; parts thereof

$12.91B

12.8% share

#3 • HS 85

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers, parts and accessories of such articles

$9.86B

9.7% share

#4 • HS 99

Commodities not specified according to kind

$8.17B

8.1% share

#5 • HS 87

Vehicles; other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof

$7.14B

7.1% share

#6 • HS 39

Plastics and articles thereof

$2.90B

2.9% share

#7 • HS 30

Pharmaceutical products

$2.42B

2.4% share

#8 • HS 90

Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories

$2.40B

2.4% share

#9 • HS 38

Chemical products n.e.c.

$1.99B

2.0% share

#10 • HS 71

Natural, cultured pearls; precious, semi-precious stones; precious metals, metals clad with precious metal, and articles thereof; imitation jewellery; coin

$1.84B

1.8% share

#11 • HS 72

Iron and steel

$1.71B

1.7% share

#12 • HS 28

Inorganic chemicals; organic and inorganic compounds of precious metals; of rare earth metals, of radio-active elements and of isotopes

$1.59B

1.6% share

#13 • HS 29

Organic chemicals

$1.48B

1.5% share

#14 • HS 10

Cereals

$1.39B

1.4% share

#15 • HS 40

Rubber and articles thereof

$1.36B

1.3% share

Rank	Category	Value	Share
1	Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes	$19.61B	19.4%
2	Machinery and mechanical appliances, boilers, nuclear reactors; parts thereof	$12.91B	12.8%
3	Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers, parts and accessories of such articles	$9.86B	9.7%
4	Commodities not specified according to kind	$8.17B	8.1%
5	Vehicles; other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof	$7.14B	7.1%
6	Plastics and articles thereof	$2.90B	2.9%
7	Pharmaceutical products	$2.42B	2.4%
8	Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories	$2.40B	2.4%
9	Chemical products n.e.c.	$1.99B	2.0%
10	Natural, cultured pearls; precious, semi-precious stones; precious metals, metals clad with precious metal, and articles thereof; imitation jewellery; coin	$1.84B	1.8%
11	Iron and steel	$1.71B	1.7%
12	Inorganic chemicals; organic and inorganic compounds of precious metals; of rare earth metals, of radio-active elements and of isotopes	$1.59B	1.6%
13	Organic chemicals	$1.48B	1.5%
14	Cereals	$1.39B	1.4%
15	Rubber and articles thereof	$1.36B	1.3%

Labels hide HS codes by default — hover a category to reveal the code.

South Africa - import composition by product categories (Imports), 2024 (USD)

Largest product categories by import value in the selected year.

Flow: Imports | Year: 2024 | Unit: USD | Source: UN Comtrade

Generated by TradeVedia.comSource: UN Comtrade

South Africa - import composition by 4-digit product groups (Imports), 2024 (USD)

Area reflects share within the displayed list; hover for product codes.

Flow: Imports | Year: 2024 | Unit: USD | Source: UN Comtrade

Generated by TradeVedia.comSource: UN Comtrade