Top South African Imports from the World
In 2016, South Africa bought US$74.7 billion worth of imported products down by -28.2% since 2012 and down by -6.1% from 2015 to 2016.
Top 10 South Africa Imports from China
China's exports to South Africa amounted to
$13.5 billion or 18.1% of its overall imports.
1. Electronic equipment: $3.4 billion
2. Machinery: $2.7 billion
3. Footwear: $500.1 million
4. Plastics: $450.2 million
5. Knit or crochet clothing: $411.4 million
6. Clothing (not knit or crochet): $409.9 million
7. Organic chemicals: $346.9 million
8. Furniture, lighting, signs: $344.5 million
9. Iron or steel products: $340.8 million
10. Iron and steel: $316.6 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from Germany
Germany's exports to South Africa amounted to
$8.8 billion or 11.8% of its overall imports.
1. Vehicles: $1.5 billion
2. Machinery: $1.4 billion
3. Electronic equipment: $561.6 million
4. Medical, technical equipment: $288.9 million
5. Plastics: $282.5 million
6. Pharmaceuticals: $242.9 million
7. Other chemical goods: $161.6 million
8. Paper: $131.3 million
9. Iron or steel products: $106.6 million
10. Rubber: $96.6 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from the US
America's exports to South Africa amounted to
$5 billion or 6.7% of its overall imports.
1. Machinery: $1 billion
2. Vehicles: $473.8 million
3. Medical, technical equipment: $461.8 million
4. Aircraft, spacecraft: $452.4 million
5. Electronic equipment: $375.5 million
6. Other chemical goods: $253 million
7. Pharmaceuticals: $245.2 million
8. Plastics: $149.9 million
9. Mineral fuels including oil: $137.2 million
10. Live trees and plants: $127.6 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from India
India's exports to South Africa amounted to
$3.1 billion or 4.2% of its overall imports.
1. Mineral fuels including oil: $703.9 million
2. Vehicles: $589.7 million
3. Pharmaceuticals: $364.7 million
4. Machinery: $168.3 million
5. Organic chemicals: $134.1 million
6. Cereal, milk preparations: $116.7 million
7. Electronic equipment: $86.9 million
8. Gems, precious metals: $61.8 million
9. Iron or steel products: $58.7 million
10. Plastics: $54.7 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from Saudi
Saudi Arabia's exports to South Africa amounted to $2.8 billion or 3.8% of its overall imports.
1. Mineral fuels including oil: $2.5 billion
2. Plastics: $130 million
3. Organic chemicals: $108.2 million
4. Fertilizers: $59.4 million
5. Other chemical goods: $18.1 million
6. Inorganic chemicals: $15.2 million
7. Felt, yarn, twine, cordage: $10.2 million
8. Salt, sulphur, stone, cement: $9.6 million
9. Cereal, milk preparations:$4.9 million
10. Paper: $3.3 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from Japan
Japan's exports to South Africa amounted to
$2.6 billion or 3.4% of its overall imports.
1. Live trees and plants: $670.2 million
2. Vehicles: $655.5 million
3. Machinery: $496 million
4. Electronic equipment: $145.2 million
5. Rubber: $98.3 million
6. Medical, technical equipment: $85.2 million
7. Iron and steel: $75.4 million
8. Other chemical goods: $47 million
9. Plastics: $31.2 million
10. Stone, plaster, cement: $27.9 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from France
France's exports to South Africa amounted to
$2.2 billion or 3% of its overall imports.
1. Aircraft, spacecraft: $469.4 million
2. Machinery: $351.3 million
3. Pharmaceuticals: $223.3 million
4. Electronic equipment: $191.8 million
5. Vehicles: $106.4 million
6. Other chemical goods: $95 million
7. Perfumes, cosmetics: $93.1 million
8. Plastics: $83.4 million
9. Medical, technical equipment: $69.3 million
10. Beverages: $63.7
Top 10 South Africa Imports from the UK
United Kingdom's exports to South Africa amounted to $2.2 billion or 2.9% of its overall imports.
1. Machinery: $365.8 million
2. Vehicles: $292.8 million
3. Mineral fuels including oil: $198.8 million
4. Beverages: $148.3 million
5. Electronic equipment: $142.5 million
6. Live trees and plants: $110.5 million
7. Medical, technical equipment: $98.4 million
8. Pharmaceuticals: $94.4 million
9. Plastics: $66.2 million
10. Other chemical goods: $55 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from Thailand
Thailand's exports to South Africa amounted to
$2.2 billion or 2.9% of its overall imports.
1. Cereal, milk preparations: $230.6 million
2. Vehicles: $186.4 million
3. Machinery: $165.9 million
4. Electronic equipment: $108.3 million
5. Plastics: $75.6 million
6. Rubber: $62.7 million
7. Meat, seafood preparations: $58.2 million
8. Organic chemicals: $43.9 million
9. Iron or steel products: $34.2 million
10. Furniture, lighting, signs: $21.3 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from Nigeria
Nigeria's exports to South Africa amounted to
$2.1 billion or 2.8% of its overall imports.
1. Mineral fuels including oil: $2.1 billion
2. Fertilizers: $2.7 million
3. Rubber: $2.7 million
4. Cocoa: $2.1 million
5. Aluminum: $1.9 million
6. Feathers, artificial flowers, hair:$1.4 million
7. Food waste, animal fodder: $748,000
8. Lead: $725,000
9. Electronic equipment: $703,000
10. Machinery: $418,000
Top 10 South Africa Imports from Italy
Italy's exports to South Africa amounted to
$1.8 billion or 2.5% of its overall imports.
1. Machinery: $536.1 million
2. Electronic equipment: $197.1 million
3. Vehicles: $142.7 million
4. Plastics: $88 million
5. Pharmaceuticals: $85.6 million
6. Medical, technical equipment: $69.6 million
7. Iron or steel products: $50.1 million
8. Live trees and plants: $41.7 million
9. Footwear: $40.4 million
10. Paper: $39.1 million
Fastest-Growing South African Imports 2016
Research Note:
Import numbers rarely match the source exporters’ stats. Reasons for import-export statistical discrepancies include re-exports, time lags, misallocations, distinct trade reporting systems, different quantity measurements and country confidentiality rules. Also, transportation and insurance costs are sometimes added to import totals.
Data source: Trade Map, International Trade Centre, www.intracen.org/marketanalysis
