Top South African Imports from the World
In 2018, South Africa bought US$93.4 billion worth of imported products down by -6.4% since 2014 but up by 12.5% from 2017 to 2018.
Top 10 South Africa Imports from China
China's exports to South Africa amounted to
$17.1 billion or 18.3% of its overall imports.
1. Electronic equipment: $4.6 billion
2. Machinery: $3.5 billion
3. Plastics: $600 million
4. Footwear: $583.7 million
5. Organic chemicals: $546.9 million
6. Vehicles: $501.3 million
7. Clothing (not knit or crochet): $453.8 million
8. Iron or steel products: $451 million
9. Knit or crochet clothing: $443.5 million
10. Furniture, lighting, signs: $397.2 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from Germany
Germany's exports to South Africa amounted to
$9.2 billion or 9.9% of its overall imports.
1. Vehicles: $1.5 billion
2. Machinery: $1.3 billion
3. Electronic equipment: $437 million
4. Plastics: $343.8 million
5. Pharmaceuticals: $335.9 million
6. Medical, technical equipment: $319.4 million
7. Other chemical goods: $198.7 million
8. Paper: $152 million
9. Organic chemicals: $118.8 million
10. Iron and steel: $113.9 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from the US
America's exports to South Africa amounted to
$5.5 billion or 5.9% of its overall imports.
1. Machinery: $1.2 billion
2. Medical, technical equipment: $487 million
3. Vehicles: $436.6 million
4. Electronic equipment: $333.2 million
5. Aircraft, spacecraft: $328.5 million
6. Other chemical goods: $320.4 million
7. Pharmaceuticals: $243.4 million
8. Mineral fuels including oil: $207.8 million
9. Plastics: $171.3 million
10. Inorganic chemicals: $116.6 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from Saudi
Saudi Arabia's exports to South Africa amounted to $5.4 billion or 5.7% of its overall imports.
1. Mineral fuels including oil: $4.7 billion
2. Plastics: $233.3 million
3. Organic chemicals: $157.3 million
4. Fertilizers: $137.7 million
5. Aluminum: $35 million
6. Other chemical goods: $27.2 million
7. Salt, sulphur, stone, cement: $16 million
8. Felt, yarn, twine, cordage: $6.4 million
9. Machinery: $5.6 million
10. Paper: $4.4 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from India
India's exports to South Africa amounted to
$3.8 billion or 4.1% of its overall imports.
1. Vehicles: $807.8 million
2. Pharmaceuticals: $571.8 million
3. Mineral fuels including oil: $470.3 million
4. Machinery: $264.6 million
5. Electronic equipment: $260.6 million
6. Organic chemicals: $165.6 million
7. Cereals: $132.6 million
8. Plastics: $80.1 million
9. Iron or steel products: $77.5 million
10. Gems, precious metals: $57.3 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from Nigeria
Nigeria's exports to South Africa amounted to
$3.8 billion or 4.1% of its overall imports.
1. Mineral fuels including oil: $3.8 billion
2. Rubber: $10.4 million
3. Feathers, artificial flowers, hair:$1.1 million
4. Machinery: $936,000
5. Coffee, tea, spices: $909,000
6. Electronic equipment: $600,000
7. Vegetables: $269,000
8. Beverages: $248,000
9. Food waste, animal fodder: $214,000
10. Fruits, nuts: $200,000
Top 10 South Africa Imports from the UK
United Kingdom's exports to South Africa were $3.3 billion or 3.5% of its overall imports.
1. Books, newspapers, pictures: $874.5 million
2. Vehicles: $406.8 million
3. Machinery: $354.5 million
4. Gems, precious metals: $219.2 million
5. Beverages: $163.3 million
6. Electronic equipment: $128.7 million
7. Medical, technical equipment: $110.4 million
8. Mineral fuels including oil: $108.3 million
9. Pharmaceuticals: $101.4 million
10. Plastics: $83.9 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from Thailand
Thailand's exports to South Africa amounted to
$2.9 billion or 3.1% of its overall imports.
1. Vehicles: $382.3 million
2. Cereals: $346.2 million
3. Machinery: $211.8 million
4. Electronic equipment: $104.9 million
5. Meat, seafood preparations: $97.5 million
6. Plastics: $87 million
7. Rubber: $63.6 million
8. Organic chemicals: $51.6 million
9. Furniture, lighting, signs: $34.1 million
10. Medical, technical equipment: $23.3 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from Japan
Japan's exports to South Africa amounted to
$2.9 billion or 3.1% of its overall imports.
1. Vehicles: $693.9 million
2. Machinery: $623.5 million
3. Electronic equipment: $144.2 million
4. Rubber: $106.7 million
5. Medical, technical equipment: $91.2 million
6. Iron and steel: $54.7 million
7. Other chemical goods: $43.5 million
8. Plastics: $38.7 million
9. Ceramic products: $35.2 million
10. Tanning, dyeing extracts: $27.3 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from Italy
Italy's exports to South Africa amounted to
$2.6 billion or 2.8% of its overall imports.
1. Machinery: $588.4 million
2. Mineral fuels including oil: $525.4 million
3. Vehicles: $160.2 million
4. Electronic equipment: $159.1 million
5. Pharmaceuticals: $119.8 million
6. Plastics: $99.6 million
7. Medical, technical equipment: $72.4 million
8. Iron or steel products: $61.7 million
9. Rubber: $53.4 million
10. Paper: $49.5 million
Top 10 South Africa Imports from France
France's exports to South Africa amounted to
$2.1 billion or 2.2% of its overall imports.
1. Machinery: $308.5 million
2. Pharmaceuticals: $253 million
3. Electronic equipment: $153 million
4. Vehicles: $128.7 million
5. Plastics: $113.8 million
6. Perfumes, cosmetics: $109 million
7. Other chemical goods: $106.2 million
8. Beverages: $93.9 million
9. Aircraft, spacecraft: $80.9 million
10. Medical, technical equipment: $74.1 million
Fastest-Growing South African Imports 2018
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
