Top South African Imports from the World
In 2019, South Africa bought US$88.1 billion worth of imported products up by 3.1% since 2015 but down by -5.7% from 2018 to 2019.
Top 10 South Africa Imports from China
China's exports to South Africa amounted to
$16.3 billion or 18.5% of its overall imports.
1. Electronic equipment: $4.4 billion
2. Machinery: $3.4 billion
3. Footwear: $529.3 million
4. Organic chemicals: $508.6 million
5. Plastics: $470 million
6. Vehicles: $468.6 million
7. Iron or steel products: $443.8 million
8. Clothing (not knit or crochet): $436.6 million
9. Knit or crochet clothing: $435.6 million
10. Furniture, lighting, signs: $386.3 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from Germany
Germany's exports to South Africa amounted to
$8.8 billion or 10% of its overall imports.
1. Vehicles: $1.7 billion
2. Machinery: $1.3 billion
3. Electronic equipment: $384.3 million
4. Medical, technical equipment: $317.9 million
5. Plastics: $303.8 million
6. Pharmaceuticals: $300.7 million
7. Other chemical goods: $170.8 million
8. Paper: $164.3 million
9. Iron and steel: $117.3 million
10. Organic chemicals: $114.9 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from the US
America's exports to South Africa amounted to
$5.8 billion or 6.6% of its overall imports.
1. Machinery: $1.2 billion
2. Aircraft, spacecraft: $597.6 million
3. Medical, technical equipment: $483 million
4. Vehicles: $406.7 million
5. Mineral fuels including oil: $329.7 million
6. Other chemical goods: $291.4 million
7. Electronic equipment: $290.9 million
8. Pharmaceuticals: $254.7 million
9. Plastics: $173.6 million
10. Inorganic chemicals: $122.1 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from India
India's exports to South Africa amounted to
$4.3 billion or 4.9% of its overall imports.
1. Vehicles: $920.4 million
2. Mineral fuels including oil: $857.7 million
3. Pharmaceuticals: $487.6 million
4. Electronic equipment: $338.4 million
5. Machinery: $279.8 million
6. Organic chemicals: $133.9 million
7. Cereals: $105.8 million
8. Plastics: $85.6 million
9. Iron or steel products: $64.4 million
10. Perfumes, cosmetics: $56.2 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from Saudi
Saudi Arabia's exports to South Africa amounted to
$3.7 billion or 4.2% of its overall imports.
1. Mineral fuels including oil: $3.2 billion
2. Plastics: $170.9 million
3. Organic chemicals: $118.5 million
4. Fertilizers: $78.9 million
5. Aluminum: $36.2 million
6. Other chemical goods: $24.8 million
7. Salt, sulphur, stone, cement: $12.6 million
8. Felt, yarn, twine, cordage: $4.3 million
9. Rubber: $4.1 million
10. Paper: $2.7 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from Nigeria
Nigeria's exports to South Africa amounted to
$3.5 billion or 4% of its overall imports.
1. Mineral fuels including oil: $3.5 billion
2. Fertilizers: $7.1 million
3. Rubber: $5.3 million
4. Coffee, tea, spices: $942,000
5. Machinery: $532,000
6. Feathers, artificial flowers, hair:$466,000
7. Vegetables: $460,000
8. Electronic equipment: $243,000
9. Oil seed: $242,000
10. Beverages: $222,000
Top 10 South Africa Imports from the UK
United Kingdom's exports to South Africa were
$2.9 billion or 3.2% of its overall imports.
1. Books, newspapers, pictures: $892.2 million
2. Machinery: $377.3 million
3. Vehicles: $287.1 million
4. Beverages: $174.8 million
5. Electronic equipment: $120.9 million
6. Medical, technical equipment: $106.5 million
7. Pharmaceuticals: $89.4 million
8. Plastics: $74.6 million
9. Other chemical goods: $69.4 million
10. Perfumes, cosmetics: $44.8 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from Japan
Japan's exports to South Africa amounted to
$2.8 billion or 3.2% of its overall imports.
1. Vehicles: $729.2 million
2. Machinery: $598.6 million
3. Electronic equipment: $133.5 million
4. Medical, technical equipment: $97.6 million
5. Rubber: $97.2 million
6. Iron and steel: $56.5 million
7. Plastics: $40.8 million
8. Pharmaceuticals: $32 million
9. Stone, plaster, cement: $31.1 million
10. Other chemical goods: $30.8 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from Thailand
Thailand's exports to South Africa amounted to
$2.7 billion or 3% of its overall imports.
1. Cereals: $317.4 million
2. Vehicles: $282.1 million
3. Machinery: $185.3 million
4. Electronic equipment: $101.8 million
5. Meat, seafood preparations: $97.2 million
6. Plastics: $70.9 million
7. Rubber: $67.3 million
8. Organic chemicals: $60.6 million
9. Furniture, lighting, signs: $25.4 million
10. Iron or steel products: $22.6 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from Italy
Italy's exports to South Africa amounted to
$2.2 billion or 2.5% of its overall imports.
1. Machinery: $602.4 million
2. Mineral fuels including oil: $228.3 million
3. Electronic equipment: $160.1 million
4. Pharmaceuticals: $133.5 million
5. Vehicles: $130.6 million
6. Plastics: $92.2 million
7. Medical, technical equipment: $68.6 million
8. Iron or steel products: $54.3 million
9. Paper: $47.6 million
10. Other chemical goods: $45.7 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from the UAE
United Arab Emirates' exports to South Africa were $2.2 billion or 2.5% of its overall imports.
1. Mineral fuels including oil: $1.8 billion
2. Copper: $93.1 million
3. Gems, precious metals: $54.7 million
4. Plastics: $33.5 million
5. Machinery: $31.8 million
6. Aircraft, spacecraft: $29.7 million
7. Aluminum: $26.9 million
8. Salt, sulphur, stone, cement: $19.3 million
9. Electronic equipment: $19.3 million
10. Beverages: $15.2 million
Fastest-Growing South African Imports 2019
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
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