Trade lane

What South Africa buys from Italy.

South Africa imported USD 1.9bn of manufactured and processed goods from Italy in 2024, down 6 per cent on 2022. That is 3 per cent of everything South Africa imported in these lines, and Italy is its number 6 source. Below: the 50 largest lines, the fastest growing, where Italy dominates, and where another country ships the same line for less a tonne.

Trade year 2024, compared with 2022. Unit values are customs values per tonne, declared at the border, not product prices.

USD 1.9bnfrom Italy in 2024 (USD 2.1bn in 2022)
3 per centof South Africa's imports in these lines, USD 68bn from every source
375product lines worth USD 1m or more on this lane
#6Italy's rank among South Africa's sources
The top 50

The largest lines on the lane, by 2024 value.

Each line shows what South Africa paid Italy for it at the border, Italy's share of everything South Africa imported in that line, how it changed since 2022, and the customs unit value per tonne where the weight is recorded. Together they are 38 per cent of the lane.

  1. 1

    Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail saleHS 300490

    Share of South Africa's imports5 per cent, 90 source countries
    Changeup 11 per cent on 2022 (USD 57m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 59,156 a tonne, 1,078 tonnes
    USD 64min 2024
  2. 2

    Machinery: parts of machines handling earth, minerals or ores and n.e.c. in heading no. 8431HS 843149

    Share of South Africa's imports8 per cent, 99 source countries
    Changedown 21 per cent on 2022 (USD 39m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 6,400 a tonne, 4,890 tonnes
    USD 31min 2024
  3. 3

    Footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6403, (not covering the ankle), outer soles of rubber, plastics or composition leather, uppers of leatherHS 640399

    Share of South Africa's imports14 per cent, 103 source countries
    Changelevel with 2022 (USD 22m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 129,013 a tonne, 171 tonnes
    USD 22min 2024
  4. 4

    Railway or tramway locomotives or rolling stock: parts, axles and wheels, and parts thereofHS 860719

    Share of South Africa's imports58 per cent, 23 source countries
    Changeup 180 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,728 a tonne, 12,043 tonnes
    USD 21min 2024
  5. 5

    Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, not fitted with connectorsHS 854449

    Share of South Africa's imports14 per cent, 87 source countries
    Changedown 31 per cent on 2022 (USD 30m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 8,632 a tonne, 2,386 tonnes
    USD 21min 2024
  6. 6

    Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3000ccHS 870324

    Share of South Africa's imports11 per cent, 29 source countries
    Changedown 2 per cent on 2022 (USD 20m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 108,744 a tonne, 183 tonnes
    USD 20min 2024
  7. 7

    Machinery: parts of machinery of heading no. 8422HS 842290

    Share of South Africa's imports30 per cent, 83 source countries
    Changeup 2 per cent on 2022 (USD 19m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 161,085 a tonne, 120 tonnes
    USD 19min 2024
  8. 8

    Medicaments: containing antibiotics (other than penicillins, streptomycins or their derivatives), for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail saleHS 300420

    Share of South Africa's imports19 per cent, 44 source countries
    Changedown 12 per cent on 2022 (USD 22m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 189,976 a tonne, 100 tonnes
    USD 19min 2024
  9. 9

    Machinery: for packing or wrappingHS 842240

    Share of South Africa's imports23 per cent, 55 source countries
    Changedown 8 per cent on 2022 (USD 19m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 53,728 a tonne, 330 tonnes
    USD 18min 2024
  10. 10

    Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10HS 210690

    Share of South Africa's imports8 per cent, 101 source countries
    Changeup 38 per cent on 2022 (USD 13m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 8,468 a tonne, 2,094 tonnes
    USD 18min 2024
  11. 11

    Taps, cocks, valves and similar appliances: for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vats or the like, including thermostatically controlled valvesHS 848180

    Share of South Africa's imports6 per cent, 109 source countries
    Changedown 5 per cent on 2022 (USD 19m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 27,491 a tonne, 641 tonnes
    USD 18min 2024
  12. 12

    Food preparations: pasta, uncooked (excluding that containing eggs), not stuffed or otherwise preparedHS 190219

    Share of South Africa's imports22 per cent, 49 source countries
    Changeup 13 per cent on 2022 (USD 15m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,435 a tonne, 12,197 tonnes
    USD 18min 2024
  13. 13

    Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a gvw not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in...HS 870421

    Share of South Africa's imports5 per cent, 29 source countries
    Changeup 97 per cent on 2022 (USD 9m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 12,292 a tonne, 1,414 tonnes
    USD 17min 2024
  14. 14

    Ceramic tiles: flags and paving, hearth or wall tiles other than those of subheadings 6907.30 and 6907.40, of a water absorption coefficient by weight not over 0.5%HS 690721

    Share of South Africa's imports31 per cent, 28 source countries
    Changedown 17 per cent on 2022 (USD 20m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,052 a tonne, 16,133 tonnes
    USD 17min 2024
  15. 15

    Footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plasticsHS 640299

    Share of South Africa's imports5 per cent, 79 source countries
    Changeup 63 per cent on 2022 (USD 10m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 23,332 a tonne, 715 tonnes
    USD 17min 2024
  16. 16

    Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa: n.e.c. in chapter 18HS 180690

    Share of South Africa's imports32 per cent, 80 source countries
    Changedown 2 per cent on 2022 (USD 17m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 6,744 a tonne, 2,473 tonnes
    USD 17min 2024
  17. 17

    Sunglasses: corrective, protective or otherHS 900410

    Share of South Africa's imports38 per cent, 68 source countries
    Changedown 4 per cent on 2022 (USD 17m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 177,968 a tonne, 89 tonnes
    USD 16min 2024
  18. 18

    Paper and paperboard: coated, impregnated or covered with plastics (excluding adhesives), other than bleached and weighing more than 150g/m2, other than goods of...HS 481159

    Share of South Africa's imports14 per cent, 42 source countries
    Changeup 29 per cent on 2022 (USD 12m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 2,987 a tonne, 5,087 tonnes
    USD 15min 2024
  19. 19

    Pumps: centrifugal, n.e.c. in heading no. 8413, for liquidsHS 841370

    Share of South Africa's imports12 per cent, 66 source countries
    Changedown 10 per cent on 2022 (USD 16m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 14,307 a tonne, 1,029 tonnes
    USD 15min 2024
  20. 20

    Cosmetic and toilet preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for the care of the skin (excluding medicaments, including sunscreen or sun tan preparations)HS 330499

    Share of South Africa's imports7 per cent, 107 source countries
    Changeup 25 per cent on 2022 (USD 11m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 29,651 a tonne, 471 tonnes
    USD 14min 2024
  21. 21

    Stoppers: caps and lids, of base metalHS 830990

    Share of South Africa's imports23 per cent, 60 source countries
    Changedown 36 per cent on 2022 (USD 21m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 6,041 a tonne, 2,263 tonnes
    USD 14min 2024
  22. 22

    Machinery: for filling, closing, sealing, capsuling or labelling bottles, cans, bags or other containers, machinery for aerating beveragesHS 842230

    Share of South Africa's imports18 per cent, 53 source countries
    Changeup 43 per cent on 2022 (USD 9m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 71,918 a tonne, 183 tonnes
    USD 13min 2024
  23. 23

    Perfumes and toilet watersHS 330300

    Share of South Africa's imports20 per cent, 67 source countries
    Changeup 74 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 49,723 a tonne, 264 tonnes
    USD 13min 2024
  24. 24

    Refrigerating or freezing equipment: n.e.c. in heading no. 8418HS 841869

    Share of South Africa's imports14 per cent, 61 source countries
    Changeup 59 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 20,106 a tonne, 647 tonnes
    USD 13min 2024
  25. 25

    Vegetable preparations: tomatoes, whole or in pieces, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acidHS 200210

    Share of South Africa's imports97 per cent, 14 source countries
    Changeup 24 per cent on 2022 (USD 10m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 13min 2024
  26. 26

    Aircraft and spacecraft: parts of aeroplanes, helicopters or unmanned aircraft n.e.c. in heading no. 8807HS 880730

    Share of South Africa's imports11 per cent, 104 source countries
    Changeup 120 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 12min 2024
  27. 27

    Machinery: n.e.c. in heading no. 8441, for making up paper pulp, paper or paperboardHS 844180

    Share of South Africa's imports53 per cent, 31 source countries
    Changeup 137 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 30,180 a tonne, 400 tonnes
    USD 12min 2024
  28. 28

    Asphalt or similar material: articles (e.g. petroleum bitumen or coal tar pitch) in rollsHS 680710

    Share of South Africa's imports92 per cent, 14 source countries
    Changedown 6 per cent on 2022 (USD 13m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 706 a tonne, 16,719 tonnes
    USD 12min 2024
  29. 29

    Lubricating oil additives: containing petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous mineralsHS 381121

    Share of South Africa's imports8 per cent, 25 source countries
    Changedown 39 per cent on 2022 (USD 19m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 4,668 a tonne, 2,453 tonnes
    USD 11min 2024
  30. 30

    Machines and mechanical appliances: having individual functions, n.e.c. or included in this chapterHS 847989

    Share of South Africa's imports7 per cent, 80 source countries
    Changeup 16 per cent on 2022 (USD 10m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 12,012 a tonne, 952 tonnes
    USD 11min 2024
  31. 31

    Gears and gearing: (not toothed wheels, chain sprockets and other transmission elements presented separately): ball or roller screws: gear boxes and other speed...HS 848340

    Share of South Africa's imports7 per cent, 79 source countries
    Changeup 1 per cent on 2022 (USD 11m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 21,684 a tonne, 521 tonnes
    USD 11min 2024
  32. 32

    Vehicle parts and accessories: n.e.c. in heading no. 8708HS 870899

    Share of South Africa's imports2 per cent, 131 source countries
    Changedown 24 per cent on 2022 (USD 15m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 9,181 a tonne, 1,205 tonnes
    USD 11min 2024
  33. 33

    Transmission components: toothed wheels, chain sprockets and other transmission elements presented separately: partsHS 848390

    Share of South Africa's imports10 per cent, 93 source countries
    Changeup 3 per cent on 2022 (USD 10m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 18,039 a tonne, 598 tonnes
    USD 11min 2024
  34. 34

    Fork-lift and other works trucks: fitted with lifting or handling equipment, self-propelled by other than electric motorHS 842720

    Share of South Africa's imports10 per cent, 26 source countries
    Changeup 24 per cent on 2022 (USD 9m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 7,708 a tonne, 1,388 tonnes
    USD 11min 2024
  35. 35

    Medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances: n.e.c. in heading no. 9018HS 901890

    Share of South Africa's imports3 per cent, 117 source countries
    Changeup 17 per cent on 2022 (USD 9m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 23,014 a tonne, 460 tonnes
    USD 11min 2024
  36. 36

    Machinery: parts of the machines of heading no. 8477, n.e.c. in item no. 8477.90HS 847790

    Share of South Africa's imports19 per cent, 72 source countries
    Changeup 110 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 74,393 a tonne, 138 tonnes
    USD 10min 2024
  37. 37

    Machinery: for working rubber or plastics or for the manufacture of products from these materials, n.e.c. in this chapterHS 847780

    Share of South Africa's imports19 per cent, 40 source countries
    Changeup 203 per cent on 2022 (USD 3m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 13,309 a tonne, 760 tonnes
    USD 10min 2024
  38. 38

    Air conditioning machines: containing a motor driven fan, other than window or wall types, incorporating a refrigerating unitHS 841582

    Share of South Africa's imports59 per cent, 38 source countries
    Changeup 153 per cent on 2022 (USD 4m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 21,531 a tonne, 466 tonnes
    USD 10min 2024
  39. 39

    Machines: for mixing, kneading, crushing, grinding, screening, sifting, homogenising, emulsifying or stirringHS 847982

    Share of South Africa's imports23 per cent, 53 source countries
    Changefrom USD 1m in 2022
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 10min 2024
  40. 40

    Vehicle parts: brakes, servo-brakes and parts thereofHS 870830

    Share of South Africa's imports4 per cent, 80 source countries
    Changedown 13 per cent on 2022 (USD 11m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 7,453 a tonne, 1,309 tonnes
    USD 10min 2024
  41. 41

    Electrical static convertersHS 850440

    Share of South Africa's imports2 per cent, 113 source countries
    Changeup 16 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 41,054 a tonne, 236 tonnes
    USD 10min 2024
  42. 42

    Vehicles: with both spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine and electric motor for propulsion, capable of being charged by plugging to external source of...HS 870360

    Share of South Africa's imports26 per cent, 11 source countries
    Changelevel with 2022 (USD 9m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 9min 2024
  43. 43

    Plastics: other articles n.e.c. in chapter 39HS 392690

    Share of South Africa's imports3 per cent, 129 source countries
    Changeup 12 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 8,205 a tonne, 1,145 tonnes
    USD 9min 2024
  44. 44

    Rubber: synthetic, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and carboxylated styrene-butadiene rubber (XSBR), (other than latex), in primary forms or in plates, sheets or stripHS 400219

    Share of South Africa's imports20 per cent, 29 source countries
    Changeup 20 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,824 a tonne, 4,912 tonnes
    USD 9min 2024
  45. 45

    Footwear: (other than sportswear), with outer soles of rubber or plastics and uppers of textile materialsHS 640419

    Share of South Africa's imports5 per cent, 84 source countries
    Changeup 71 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 9min 2024
  46. 46

    Electrical apparatus: automatic circuit breakers, for a voltage not exceeding 1000 voltsHS 853620

    Share of South Africa's imports12 per cent, 80 source countries
    Changedown 8 per cent on 2022 (USD 10m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 40,140 a tonne, 220 tonnes
    USD 9min 2024
  47. 47

    Machinery: blow moulding machines, for working rubber or plastics or for the manufacture of products from these materialsHS 847730

    Share of South Africa's imports40 per cent, 16 source countries
    Changefrom USD 788k in 2022
    Unit valueUSD 43,992 a tonne, 196 tonnes
    USD 9min 2024
  48. 48

    Insecticides: other than containing goods specified in Subheading Notes 1 & 2 to this Chapter: put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articlesHS 380891

    Share of South Africa's imports6 per cent, 52 source countries
    Changedown 40 per cent on 2022 (USD 14m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 9min 2024
  49. 49

    Turbines: parts of gas turbines (excluding turbo-jets and turbo-propellers)HS 841199

    Share of South Africa's imports25 per cent, 44 source countries
    Changefrom USD 169k in 2022
    Unit valueUSD 192,901 a tonne, 40 tonnes
    USD 8min 2024
  50. 50

    Leather: further prepared after tanning or crusting, including parchment-dressed leather, of bovine (including buffalo) or equine animals, without hair on, other than...HS 410712

    Share of South Africa's imports93 per cent, 20 source countries
    Changeup 29 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 16,592 a tonne, 463 tonnes
    USD 8min 2024
Fastest growing

The lines that grew most since 2022.

Lines worth at least USD 5m in 2022, ranked by growth to 2024 in current dollars. A fast rise can be a new product, a shift away from another source, or a price change; the record does not say which.

  1. Railway or tramway locomotives or rolling stock: parts, axles and wheels, and parts thereofHS 860719USD 21m in 2024, up 180 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022). Italy supplies 58 per cent of the line.
  2. Machinery: n.e.c. in heading no. 8441, for making up paper pulp, paper or paperboardHS 844180USD 12m in 2024, up 137 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022). Italy supplies 53 per cent of the line.
  3. Aircraft and spacecraft: parts of aeroplanes, helicopters or unmanned aircraft n.e.c. in heading no. 8807HS 880730USD 12m in 2024, up 120 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). Italy supplies 11 per cent of the line.
  4. Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a gvw not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in...HS 870421USD 17m in 2024, up 97 per cent on 2022 (USD 9m in 2022). Italy supplies 5 per cent of the line.
  5. Perfumes and toilet watersHS 330300USD 13m in 2024, up 74 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022). Italy supplies 20 per cent of the line.
  6. Footwear: (other than sportswear), with outer soles of rubber or plastics and uppers of textile materialsHS 640419USD 9m in 2024, up 71 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022). Italy supplies 5 per cent of the line.
  7. Footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plasticsHS 640299USD 17m in 2024, up 63 per cent on 2022 (USD 10m in 2022). Italy supplies 5 per cent of the line.
  8. Refrigerating or freezing equipment: n.e.c. in heading no. 8418HS 841869USD 13m in 2024, up 59 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022). Italy supplies 14 per cent of the line.
  9. Machinery: for filling, closing, sealing, capsuling or labelling bottles, cans, bags or other containers, machinery for aerating beveragesHS 842230USD 13m in 2024, up 43 per cent on 2022 (USD 9m in 2022). Italy supplies 18 per cent of the line.
  10. Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10HS 210690USD 18m in 2024, up 38 per cent on 2022 (USD 13m in 2022). Italy supplies 8 per cent of the line.
  11. Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage exceeding 1000 voltsHS 854460USD 8m in 2024, up 34 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). Italy supplies 15 per cent of the line.
  12. Machines and mechanical appliances: parts, of those having individual functionsHS 847990USD 7m in 2024, up 33 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022). Italy supplies 9 per cent of the line.
  13. Leather: further prepared after tanning or crusting, including parchment-dressed leather, of bovine (including buffalo) or equine animals, without hair on, other than...HS 410712USD 8m in 2024, up 29 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). Italy supplies 93 per cent of the line.
  14. Paper and paperboard: coated, impregnated or covered with plastics (excluding adhesives), other than bleached and weighing more than 150g/m2, other than goods of...HS 481159USD 15m in 2024, up 29 per cent on 2022 (USD 12m in 2022). Italy supplies 14 per cent of the line.
  15. Cosmetic and toilet preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for the care of the skin (excluding medicaments, including sunscreen or sun tan preparations)HS 330499USD 14m in 2024, up 25 per cent on 2022 (USD 11m in 2022). Italy supplies 7 per cent of the line.
  16. Fork-lift and other works trucks: fitted with lifting or handling equipment, self-propelled by other than electric motorHS 842720USD 11m in 2024, up 24 per cent on 2022 (USD 9m in 2022). Italy supplies 10 per cent of the line.
  17. Vegetable preparations: tomatoes, whole or in pieces, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acidHS 200210USD 13m in 2024, up 24 per cent on 2022 (USD 10m in 2022). Italy supplies 97 per cent of the line.
  18. Rubber: synthetic, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and carboxylated styrene-butadiene rubber (XSBR), (other than latex), in primary forms or in plates, sheets or stripHS 400219USD 9m in 2024, up 20 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022). Italy supplies 20 per cent of the line.
  19. Pumps: reciprocating positive displacement pumps, n.e.c. in heading no. 8413, for liquidsHS 841350USD 6m in 2024, up 18 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022). Italy supplies 7 per cent of the line.
  20. Medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances: n.e.c. in heading no. 9018HS 901890USD 11m in 2024, up 17 per cent on 2022 (USD 9m in 2022). Italy supplies 3 per cent of the line.
Where Italy dominates

Lines where Italy supplies 60 per cent or more.

The largest lines worth USD 1m or more where Italy ships at least 60 per cent of what South Africa imports. This is supply concentration: how much of the line depends on one source country.

  1. Vegetable preparations: tomatoes, whole or in pieces, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acidHS 20021097 per cent of South Africa's imports of the line, USD 13m; 14 source countries in all.
  2. Asphalt or similar material: articles (e.g. petroleum bitumen or coal tar pitch) in rollsHS 68071092 per cent of South Africa's imports of the line, USD 12m; 14 source countries in all.
  3. Leather: further prepared after tanning or crusting, including parchment-dressed leather, of bovine (including buffalo) or equine animals, without hair on, other than...HS 41071293 per cent of South Africa's imports of the line, USD 8m; 20 source countries in all.
  4. Vehicles: fire fighting vehiclesHS 87053082 per cent of South Africa's imports of the line, USD 5m; 8 source countries in all.
  5. Furnaces and ovens: electric, for industrial or laboratory use, resistance heated: other than hot isostatic presses, for the manufacture of semiconductor devices on...HS 85141964 per cent of South Africa's imports of the line, USD 3m; 27 source countries in all.
  6. Vegetable preparations: beans, shelled, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozenHS 20055190 per cent of South Africa's imports of the line, USD 3m; 22 source countries in all.
  7. Machinery: for preparing, tanning or working hides, skins or leather, other than sewing machinesHS 84531089 per cent of South Africa's imports of the line, USD 2m; 11 source countries in all.
  8. Machine-tools: for drilling by removing metal, numerically controlledHS 84592181 per cent of South Africa's imports of the line, USD 2m; 5 source countries in all.
  9. Vegetable preparations: beans, (not shelled), prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozenHS 20055979 per cent of South Africa's imports of the line, USD 1m; 18 source countries in all.
  10. Food preparations: pasta, stuffed (with meat or other substances), whether or not cooked or otherwise preparedHS 19022081 per cent of South Africa's imports of the line, USD 1m; 16 source countries in all.
  11. Steel, alloy: ingots and other primary formsHS 72241081 per cent of South Africa's imports of the line, USD 1m; 5 source countries in all.
  12. Machinery: parts of those for preparing, tanning or working hides, skins or leather, for making or repairing footwear or other articles of hides, skin or leather, other...HS 84539062 per cent of South Africa's imports of the line, USD 1m; 30 source countries in all.
  13. Vegetable preparations: peas (pisum sativum), prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozenHS 20054076 per cent of South Africa's imports of the line, USD 1m; 14 source countries in all.
Another source, lower unit value

Where another country ships the same line for at least 20 per cent less a tonne.

Lines worth USD 5m or more where Italy's unit value is recorded and another country also ships at least USD 5m of the same line to South Africa at a unit value at least 20 per cent lower. The largest such source is named. The same heading can hold different grades, so a lower figure is a question to ask, not a like-for-like price.

  1. Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail saleHS 300490Italy: USD 64m at USD 59,156 a tonne. India: USD 570m (40 per cent of the line) at USD 32,790 a tonne, 45 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 71,750 a tonne.
  2. Machinery: parts of machines handling earth, minerals or ores and n.e.c. in heading no. 8431HS 843149Italy: USD 31m at USD 6,400 a tonne. China: USD 101m (27 per cent of the line) at USD 4,035 a tonne, 37 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 17,006 a tonne.
  3. Footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6403, (not covering the ankle), outer soles of rubber, plastics or composition leather, uppers of leatherHS 640399Italy: USD 22m at USD 129,013 a tonne. China: USD 49m (31 per cent of the line) at USD 21,726 a tonne, 83 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 48,083 a tonne.
  4. Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, not fitted with connectorsHS 854449Italy: USD 21m at USD 8,632 a tonne. China: USD 41m (29 per cent of the line) at USD 6,039 a tonne, 30 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 12,283 a tonne.
  5. Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3000ccHS 870324Italy: USD 20m at USD 108,744 a tonne. United States: USD 37m (21 per cent of the line) at USD 66,352 a tonne, 39 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 66,414 a tonne.
  6. Medicaments: containing antibiotics (other than penicillins, streptomycins or their derivatives), for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail saleHS 300420Italy: USD 19m at USD 189,976 a tonne. India: USD 31m (31 per cent of the line) at USD 47,322 a tonne, 75 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 50,170 a tonne.
  7. Machinery: for packing or wrappingHS 842240Italy: USD 18m at USD 53,728 a tonne. China: USD 12m (16 per cent of the line) at USD 15,381 a tonne, 71 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 48,440 a tonne.
  8. Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10HS 210690Italy: USD 18m at USD 8,468 a tonne. Netherlands: USD 17m (8 per cent of the line) at USD 5,370 a tonne, 37 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 7,184 a tonne.
  9. Taps, cocks, valves and similar appliances: for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vats or the like, including thermostatically controlled valvesHS 848180Italy: USD 18m at USD 27,491 a tonne. China: USD 112m (41 per cent of the line) at USD 7,387 a tonne, 73 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 34,846 a tonne.
  10. Food preparations: pasta, uncooked (excluding that containing eggs), not stuffed or otherwise preparedHS 190219Italy: USD 18m at USD 1,435 a tonne. Namibia: USD 17m (21 per cent of the line) at USD 904 a tonne, 37 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 959 a tonne.
  11. Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a gvw not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in...HS 870421Italy: USD 17m at USD 12,292 a tonne. China: USD 61m (18 per cent of the line) at USD 4,640 a tonne, 62 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 9,135 a tonne.
  12. Ceramic tiles: flags and paving, hearth or wall tiles other than those of subheadings 6907.30 and 6907.40, of a water absorption coefficient by weight not over 0.5%HS 690721Italy: USD 17m at USD 1,052 a tonne. India: USD 17m (31 per cent of the line) at USD 351 a tonne, 67 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 464 a tonne.
  13. Paper and paperboard: coated, impregnated or covered with plastics (excluding adhesives), other than bleached and weighing more than 150g/m2, other than goods of...HS 481159Italy: USD 15m at USD 2,987 a tonne. China: USD 17m (15 per cent of the line) at USD 987 a tonne, 67 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 3,197 a tonne.
  14. Cosmetic and toilet preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for the care of the skin (excluding medicaments, including sunscreen or sun tan preparations)HS 330499Italy: USD 14m at USD 29,651 a tonne. Poland: USD 38m (19 per cent of the line) at USD 3,985 a tonne, 87 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 17,441 a tonne.
  15. Stoppers: caps and lids, of base metalHS 830990Italy: USD 14m at USD 6,041 a tonne. China: USD 16m (26 per cent of the line) at USD 3,531 a tonne, 42 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 6,819 a tonne.
  16. Machinery: for filling, closing, sealing, capsuling or labelling bottles, cans, bags or other containers, machinery for aerating beveragesHS 842230Italy: USD 13m at USD 71,918 a tonne. China: USD 15m (21 per cent of the line) at USD 14,694 a tonne, 80 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 50,754 a tonne.
  17. Perfumes and toilet watersHS 330300Italy: USD 13m at USD 49,723 a tonne. France: USD 21m (32 per cent of the line) at USD 30,780 a tonne, 38 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 26,750 a tonne.
  18. Refrigerating or freezing equipment: n.e.c. in heading no. 8418HS 841869Italy: USD 13m at USD 20,106 a tonne. China: USD 27m (28 per cent of the line) at USD 8,982 a tonne, 55 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 25,238 a tonne.
  19. Machinery: n.e.c. in heading no. 8441, for making up paper pulp, paper or paperboardHS 844180Italy: USD 12m at USD 30,180 a tonne. China: USD 7m (29 per cent of the line) at USD 7,674 a tonne, 75 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 17,067 a tonne.
  20. Lubricating oil additives: containing petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous mineralsHS 381121Italy: USD 11m at USD 4,668 a tonne. France: USD 36m (25 per cent of the line) at USD 3,531 a tonne, 24 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 4,022 a tonne.
The other side of the lane

What South Africa buys from everyone, and what it is placed to make.

What this record says

What crossed the border, what it was worth, and what it weighed.

Every figure on this page is from CEPII's BACI file, which reconciles what each pair of countries reports to the UN about the same shipment. Trade year 2024, compared with 2022. A line is one six-digit customs heading (HS 2022). Values are in US dollars at the border; growth is in current dollars, so part of any change is price, not volume.

Unit value. Unit values are customs values per tonne, declared at the border, not product prices. It is the value of a line divided by its declared weight, so it mixes grades, models and qualities under one heading. It is shown only where the weight is recorded, at least three source countries of USD 100k or more ship the line to South Africa with a weight, and the figure sits within a factor of five of the middle of those sources. Outside that band it is treated as a recording problem and left out.

Share is Italy's part of everything South Africa imported in that line, from every source. Sources counts the countries that shipped any of it.

Scope. Manufactured and processed goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, without ores, fuels, precious metals, scrap, raw farm output and one-off capital and defence purchases: the same rule as the Made here pages.

What it does not say

A record of trade, not a shopping list.

What this record does not say: what sells at retail, what margin a trade leaves, how crowded the marketplaces are, or how much of a flow is re-exported through entrepots such as Hong Kong and Singapore.

A large line is not proof of an opening, and a lower unit value from another country is not proof the goods are the same. Tariffs, standards, freight, payment terms, lead times and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. Nothing on this page is a forecast, a recommendation or a promise. No supplier company is named, because the record holds none.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601. Edition of 2026-11-03.

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