Top South African Imports from the World
In 2017, South Africa bought US$83.2 billion worth of imported products down by -19.5% since 2013 but up by 11.3% from 2016 to 2017.
Top 10 South Africa Imports from China
China's exports to South Africa amounted to
$15.2 billion or 18.3% of its overall imports.
1. Electronic equipment: $4 billion
2. Machinery: $3 billion
3. Footwear: $522.9 million
4. Plastics: $483.6 million
5. Clothing (not knit or crochet): $411.2 million
6. Organic chemicals: $409.3 million
7. Knit or crochet clothing: $406.5 million
8. Iron or steel products: $394.6 million
9. Vehicles: $372.9 million
10. Furniture, lighting, signs: $357.3 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from Germany
Germany's exports to South Africa amounted to
$9.6 billion or 11.6% of its overall imports.
1. Vehicles: $1.8 billion
2. Machinery: $1.4 billion
3. Electronic equipment: $489.2 million
4. Plastics: $319.8 million
5. Medical, technical equipment: $296.8 million
6. Pharmaceuticals: $260.7 million
7. Other chemical goods: $189.7 million
8. Paper: $131.6 million
9. Rubber: $108.6 million
10. Organic chemicals: $107.3 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from the US
America's exports to South Africa amounted to
$5.5 billion or 6.6% of its overall imports.
1. Machinery: $1.2 billion
2. Aircraft, spacecraft: $518.5 million
3. Vehicles: $514.9 million
4. Medical, technical equipment: $459 million
5. Electronic equipment: $373.6 million
6. Other chemical goods: $272.9 million
7. Mineral fuels including oil: $246.7 million
8. Pharmaceuticals: $233.8 million
9. Plastics: $166.6 million
10. Inorganic chemicals: $92.3 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from India
India's exports to South Africa amounted to
$3.9 billion or 4.7% of its overall imports.
1. Mineral fuels including oil: $927.3 million
2. Vehicles: $840.4 million
3. Pharmaceuticals: $493.3 million
4. Machinery: $203 million
5. Organic chemicals: $158.2 million
6. Cereals: $125.8 million
7. Electronic equipment: $110 million
8. Plastics: $67.9 million
9. Iron or steel products: $62.3 million
10. Iron and steel: $55.4 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from Saudi
Saudi Arabia's exports to South Africa equaled
$3.8 billion or 4.6% of its overall imports.
1. Mineral fuels including oil: $3.4 billion
2. Plastics: $174.8 million
3. Organic chemicals: $117.9 million
4. Fertilizers: $66 million
5. Other chemical goods: $20 million
6. Machinery: $14.8 million
7. Salt, sulphur, stone, cement: $12.9 million
8. Inorganic chemicals: $10.3 million
9. Felt, yarn, twine, cordage: $7.9 million
10. Aluminum: $5.6 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from Japan
Japan's exports to South Africa amounted to
$2.8 billion or 3.4% of its overall imports.
1. Vehicles: $760.9 million
2. Machinery: $608.4 million
3. Electronic equipment: $156.5 million
4. Rubber: $103 million
5. Medical, technical equipment: $86.3 million
6. Iron and steel: $64.9 million
7. Other chemical goods: $48.6 million
8. Plastics: $30.3 million
9. Stone, plaster, cement: $29.8 million
10. Tanning, dyeing extracts: $27.3 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from Thailand
Thailand's exports to South Africa amounted to
$2.5 billion or 3.0% of its overall imports.
1. Cereals: $337.8 million
2. Vehicles: $280.3 million
3. Machinery: $189.7 million
4. Electronic equipment: $106.6 million
5. Plastics: $88 million
6. Meat, seafood preparations: $81 million
7. Rubber: $62.8 million
8. Organic chemicals: $28.6 million
9. Furniture, lighting, signs: $25.8 million
10. Iron or steel products: $24.2 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from the UK
United Kingdom's exports to South Africa equaled
$2.5 billion or 3% of its overall imports.
1. Vehicles: $403.7 million
2. Machinery: $382.1 million
3. Books, newspapers, pictures: $206.6 million
4. Mineral fuels including oil: $184.2 million
5. Beverages: $173.6 million
6. Electronic equipment: $147.4 million
7. Medical, technical equipment: $102.6 million
8. Pharmaceuticals: $100.8 million
9. Plastics: $74.7 million
10. Other chemical goods: $63.9 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from Italy
Italy's exports to South Africa amounted to
$2.2 billion or 2.7% of its overall imports.
1. Machinery: $583.7 million
2. Mineral fuels including oil: $259.5 million
3. Vehicles: $170.3 million
4. Electronic equipment: $147.7 million
5. Pharmaceuticals: $110.8 million
6. Plastics: $95.3 million
7. Medical, technical equipment: $72.5 million
8. Iron or steel products: $56.2 million
9. Footwear: $43 million
10. Other chemical goods: $42.3 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from France
France's exports to South Africa amounted to
$2.1 billion or 2.5% of its overall imports.
1. Machinery: $344.4 million
2. Pharmaceuticals: $276.9 million
3. Aircraft, spacecraft: $220.5 million
4. Electronic equipment: $170.6 million
5. Vehicles: $121.7 million
6. Other chemical goods: $121 million
7. Perfumes, cosmetics: $97.1 million
8. Plastics: $89.9 million
9. Medical, technical equipment: $84.7 million
10. Beverages: $69 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from Nigeria
Nigeria's exports to South Africa amounted to
$1.7 billion or 2.1% of its overall imports.
1. Mineral fuels including oil: $1.7 billion
2. Rubber: $8.7 million
3. Coffee, tea, spices: $1.1 million
4. Cocoa: $1.1 million
5. Medical, technical equipment: $460,000
6. Food waste, animal fodder: $428,000
7. Machinery: $388,000
8. Electronic equipment: $315,000
9. Oil seed: $215,000
10. Beverages: $211,000
Fastest-Growing South African Imports 2017
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
