What Belgium buys from South Africa.
Belgium imported USD 2.3bn of manufactured and processed goods from South Africa in 2024, down 20 per cent on 2022. That is 1 per cent of everything Belgium imported in these lines, and South Africa is its number 20 source. Below: the 50 largest lines, the fastest growing, where South Africa 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.
The largest lines on the lane, by 2024 value.
Each line shows what Belgium paid South Africa for it at the border, South Africa's share of everything Belgium imported in that line, how it changed since 2022, and the customs unit value per tonne where the weight is recorded. Together they are 96 per cent of the lane.
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1
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 Belgium's imports31 per cent, 34 source countriesChangeup 9 per cent on 2022 (USD 1.1bn in 2022)Unit valueUSD 12,643 a tonne, 97,178 tonnesUSD 1.2bnin 2024 -
2
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 Belgium's imports5 per cent, 34 source countriesChangenew since 2022Unit valueUSD 19,808 a tonne, 8,749 tonnesUSD 173min 2024 -
3
Sulphates: of copperHS 283325
Share of Belgium's imports94 per cent, 25 source countriesChangedown 67 per cent on 2022 (USD 518m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 14,173 a tonne, 12,175 tonnesUSD 173min 2024 -
4
Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000ccHS 870323
Share of Belgium's imports4 per cent, 86 source countriesChangeup 27 per cent on 2022 (USD 76m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 17,598 a tonne, 5,502 tonnesUSD 97min 2024 -
5
Acyclic hydrocarbons: unsaturated, n.e.c. in heading no. 2901HS 290129
Share of Belgium's imports28 per cent, 25 source countriesChangeup 49 per cent on 2022 (USD 60m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,572 a tonne, 56,362 tonnesUSD 89min 2024 -
6
Alcohols: saturated monohydric, butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol)HS 290513
Share of Belgium's imports50 per cent, 21 source countriesChangedown 20 per cent on 2022 (USD 77m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,100 a tonne, 56,023 tonnesUSD 62min 2024 -
7
Aluminium: plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm, alloys, rectangular (including square)HS 760612
Share of Belgium's imports10 per cent, 46 source countriesChangeup 96 per cent on 2022 (USD 24m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 3,749 a tonne, 12,377 tonnesUSD 46min 2024 -
8
Alcohols: saturated monohydric, propan-1-ol (propyl alcohol) and propan-2-ol (isopropyl alcohol)HS 290512
Share of Belgium's imports28 per cent, 32 source countriesChangedown 23 per cent on 2022 (USD 41m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 956 a tonne, 32,742 tonnesUSD 31min 2024 -
9
Ketones: acyclic, without other oxygen function, 4-methylpentan-2-one (methyl isobutyl ketone)HS 291413
Share of Belgium's imports64 per cent, 14 source countriesChangedown 28 per cent on 2022 (USD 39m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,437 a tonne, 19,849 tonnesUSD 29min 2024 -
10
Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 2500ccHS 870332
Share of Belgium's imports1 per cent, 44 source countriesChangedown 65 per cent on 2022 (USD 70m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 18,143 a tonne, 1,352 tonnesUSD 25min 2024 -
11
Acids: unsaturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids: esters of acrylic acidHS 291612
Share of Belgium's imports6 per cent, 26 source countriesChangedown 14 per cent on 2022 (USD 24m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,260 a tonne, 16,522 tonnesUSD 21min 2024 -
12
Wine: still, in containers holding 2 litres or lessHS 220421
Share of Belgium's imports2 per cent, 73 source countriesChangeup 28 per cent on 2022 (USD 14m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 3,916 a tonne, 4,754 tonnesUSD 19min 2024 -
13
Phosphoric acid and polyphosphoric acidsHS 280920
Share of Belgium's imports9 per cent, 28 source countriesChangedown 58 per cent on 2022 (USD 39m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 583 a tonne, 28,059 tonnesUSD 16min 2024 -
14
Ketones: acyclic, without other oxygen function, acetoneHS 291411
Share of Belgium's imports15 per cent, 26 source countriesChangedown 1 per cent on 2022 (USD 16m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 978 a tonne, 16,612 tonnesUSD 16min 2024 -
15
Undenatured ethyl alcohol: of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80% vol. or higherHS 220710
Share of Belgium's imports5 per cent, 27 source countriesChangedown 30 per cent on 2022 (USD 23m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 711 a tonne, 22,586 tonnesUSD 16min 2024 -
16
Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3000ccHS 870324
Share of Belgium's imports2 per cent, 59 source countriesChangeup 497 per cent on 2022 (USD 3m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 58,476 a tonne, 263 tonnesUSD 15min 2024 -
17
Acids: saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids: ethyl acetateHS 291531
Share of Belgium's imports8 per cent, 20 source countriesChangedown 43 per cent on 2022 (USD 26m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,061 a tonne, 14,224 tonnesUSD 15min 2024 -
18
Wood pulp: chemical wood pulp, dissolving gradesHS 470200
Share of Belgium's imports24 per cent, 12 source countriesChangedown 14 per cent on 2022 (USD 15m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 972 a tonne, 12,973 tonnesUSD 13min 2024 -
19
Ketones: acyclic, without other oxygen function, butanone (methyl ethyl ketone)HS 291412
Share of Belgium's imports27 per cent, 20 source countriesChangedown 48 per cent on 2022 (USD 24m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,167 a tonne, 10,720 tonnesUSD 13min 2024 -
20
Aluminium: foil, (not backed), rolled (but not further worked), of a thickness not exceeding 0.2mmHS 760711
Share of Belgium's imports11 per cent, 43 source countriesChangeup 402 per cent on 2022 (USD 2m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 4,608 a tonne, 2,653 tonnesUSD 12min 2024 -
21
Industrial fatty alcoholsHS 382370
Share of Belgium's imports5 per cent, 18 source countriesChangedown 20 per cent on 2022 (USD 14m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,536 a tonne, 7,248 tonnesUSD 11min 2024 -
22
Vehicles: parts and accessories, front windscreens (windshields), rear windows and other windows specified in subheading note 1 to this chapterHS 870822
Share of Belgium's imports6 per cent, 45 source countriesChangeup 22 per cent on 2022 (USD 9m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 5,573 a tonne, 1,969 tonnesUSD 11min 2024 -
23
Solvents and thinners: organic composite solvents and thinners, n.e.c. or included, prepared paint or varnish removersHS 381400
Share of Belgium's imports15 per cent, 41 source countriesChangedown 27 per cent on 2022 (USD 13m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 789 a tonne, 12,354 tonnesUSD 10min 2024 -
24
Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on motor cars (including station wagons and racing cars)HS 401110
Share of Belgium's imports1 per cent, 49 source countriesChangedown 42 per cent on 2022 (USD 16m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 5,797 a tonne, 1,579 tonnesUSD 9min 2024 -
25
Ethyl alcohol and other spirits: denatured, of any strengthHS 220720
Share of Belgium's imports10 per cent, 23 source countriesChangeup 1 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 540 a tonne, 14,970 tonnesUSD 8min 2024 -
26
Wine: still, in containers holding more than 10 litresHS 220429
Share of Belgium's imports12 per cent, 26 source countriesChangedown 15 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 687 a tonne, 9,809 tonnesUSD 7min 2024 -
27
Vehicle parts and accessories: n.e.c. in heading no. 8708HS 870899
Share of Belgium's importsunder 1 per cent, 115 source countriesChangedown 28 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 16,156 a tonne, 341 tonnesUSD 6min 2024 -
28
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 Belgium's imports1 per cent, 105 source countriesChangeup 43 per cent on 2022 (USD 4m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 78,494 a tonne, 69 tonnesUSD 5min 2024 -
29
Bearing housings, not incorporating ball or roller bearings and plain shaft bearingsHS 848330
Share of Belgium's imports5 per cent, 87 source countriesChangedown 35 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 18,712 a tonne, 275 tonnesUSD 5min 2024 -
30
Machinery: parts of machines handling earth, minerals or ores and n.e.c. in heading no. 8431HS 843149
Share of Belgium's imports1 per cent, 104 source countriesChangeup 15 per cent on 2022 (USD 4m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 15,710 a tonne, 304 tonnesUSD 5min 2024 -
31
Monophenols: cresols and their saltsHS 290712
Share of Belgium's imports29 per cent, 11 source countriesChangedown 41 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,323 a tonne, 3,361 tonnesUSD 4min 2024 -
32
Containers: (including containers for transport of fluids) specially designed and equipped for carriage by one or more modes of transportHS 860900
Share of Belgium's imports2 per cent, 86 source countriesChangedown 56 per cent on 2022 (USD 10m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 3,182 a tonne, 1,353 tonnesUSD 4min 2024 -
33
Alcohols: saturated monohydric, butanols excluding item no. 2905.13HS 290514
Share of Belgium's imports5 per cent, 17 source countriesChangeup 6 per cent on 2022 (USD 4m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 930 a tonne, 4,459 tonnesUSD 4min 2024 -
34
Vehicles: bumpers and parts thereof, for the vehicles of heading no. 8701 to 8705HS 870810
Share of Belgium's imports1 per cent, 74 source countriesChangeup 24 per cent on 2022 (USD 3m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 20,747 a tonne, 196 tonnesUSD 4min 2024 -
35
Engines: parts for internal combustion piston engines (excluding spark-ignition)HS 840999
Share of Belgium's imports1 per cent, 113 source countriesChangedown 8 per cent on 2022 (USD 4m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 22,938 a tonne, 153 tonnesUSD 4min 2024 -
36
Heterocyclic compounds: with oxygen hetero-atom(s) only, containing an unfused furan ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure, 2-furaldehyde (furfuraldehyde)HS 293212
Share of Belgium's imports21 per cent, 10 source countriesChangeup 140 per cent on 2022 (USD 1m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 876 a tonne, 3,626 tonnesUSD 3min 2024 -
37
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 Belgium's importsunder 1 per cent, 117 source countriesChangefrom USD 223k in 2022Unit valueUSD 50,299 a tonne, 61 tonnesUSD 3min 2024 -
38
Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, cylinder capacity not over 1000ccHS 870321
Share of Belgium's importsunder 1 per cent, 45 source countriesChangedown 3 per cent on 2022 (USD 3m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 12,000 a tonne, 253 tonnesUSD 3min 2024 -
39
Vehicles: parts and accessories, of bodies, other than safety seat beltsHS 870829
Share of Belgium's importsunder 1 per cent, 87 source countriesChangeup 35 per cent on 2022 (USD 2m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 13,780 a tonne, 212 tonnesUSD 3min 2024 -
40
Sulphates: of nickelHS 283324
Share of Belgium's imports6 per cent, 15 source countriesChangefrom USD 317k in 2022Unit valueUSD 2,867 a tonne, 945 tonnesUSD 3min 2024 -
41
Lamps: filament, (excluding ultra-violet or infra-red), n.e.c. in item no. 8539.2HS 853929
Share of Belgium's imports11 per cent, 49 source countriesChangenew since 2022Unit valueUSD 36,198 a tonne, 67 tonnesUSD 2min 2024 -
42
Moulds: for rubber or plastics, injection or compression typesHS 848071
Share of Belgium's imports4 per cent, 40 source countriesChangedown 34 per cent on 2022 (USD 4m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 15,013 a tonne, 158 tonnesUSD 2min 2024 -
43
Plywood: consisting only of sheets of wood (not bamboo), each ply 6mm or thinner, with both outer plies of coniferous woodHS 441239
Share of Belgium's imports4 per cent, 23 source countriesChangeup 4 per cent on 2022 (USD 2m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 754 a tonne, 3,020 tonnesUSD 2min 2024 -
44
Kraft paper and paperboard: kraftliner, uncoated, bleached, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803HS 480419
Share of Belgium's imports4 per cent, 22 source countriesChangedown 2 per cent on 2022 (USD 2m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 699 a tonne, 3,171 tonnesUSD 2min 2024 -
45
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 Belgium's imports1 per cent, 82 source countriesChangeup 74 per cent on 2022 (USD 1m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 28,488 a tonne, 74 tonnesUSD 2min 2024 -
46
Binders, prepared: for foundry moulds or coresHS 382410
Share of Belgium's imports16 per cent, 14 source countriesChangedown 44 per cent on 2022 (USD 3m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 7,381 a tonne, 260 tonnesUSD 2min 2024 -
47
Glass: safety glass, laminated, of size and shape suitable for incorporation in vehicles, aircraft, spacecraft or vesselsHS 700721
Share of Belgium's imports1 per cent, 57 source countriesChangeup 28 per cent on 2022 (USD 1m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 3,746 a tonne, 508 tonnesUSD 2min 2024 -
48
Metal-rolling mills: rolls thereofHS 845530
Share of Belgium's imports4 per cent, 20 source countriesChangedown 38 per cent on 2022 (USD 3m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 5,450 a tonne, 318 tonnesUSD 2min 2024 -
49
Cigarettes: containing tobaccoHS 240220
Share of Belgium's importsunder 1 per cent, 33 source countriesChangedown 15 per cent on 2022 (USD 2m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 9,120 a tonne, 183 tonnesUSD 2min 2024 -
50
Wood: pallets, box pallets and other load boards: pallet collarsHS 441520
Share of Belgium's imports1 per cent, 59 source countriesChangedown 18 per cent on 2022 (USD 2m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 662 a tonne, 2,364 tonnesUSD 2min 2024
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.
- Aluminium: plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm, alloys, rectangular (including square)HS 760612USD 46m in 2024, up 96 per cent on 2022 (USD 24m in 2022). South Africa supplies 10 per cent of the line.
- Acyclic hydrocarbons: unsaturated, n.e.c. in heading no. 2901HS 290129USD 89m in 2024, up 49 per cent on 2022 (USD 60m in 2022). South Africa supplies 28 per cent of the line.
- Wine: still, in containers holding 2 litres or lessHS 220421USD 19m in 2024, up 28 per cent on 2022 (USD 14m in 2022). South Africa supplies 2 per cent of the line.
- Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000ccHS 870323USD 97m in 2024, up 27 per cent on 2022 (USD 76m in 2022). South Africa supplies 4 per cent of the line.
- Vehicles: parts and accessories, front windscreens (windshields), rear windows and other windows specified in subheading note 1 to this chapterHS 870822USD 11m in 2024, up 22 per cent on 2022 (USD 9m in 2022). South Africa supplies 6 per cent of the line.
- 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 1.2bn in 2024, up 9 per cent on 2022 (USD 1.1bn in 2022). South Africa supplies 31 per cent of the line.
- Ethyl alcohol and other spirits: denatured, of any strengthHS 220720USD 8m in 2024, up 1 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022). South Africa supplies 10 per cent of the line.
Lines where South Africa supplies 60 per cent or more.
The largest lines worth USD 1m or more where South Africa ships at least 60 per cent of what Belgium imports. This is supply concentration: how much of the line depends on one source country.
- Sulphates: of copperHS 28332594 per cent of Belgium's imports of the line, USD 173m; 25 source countries in all.
- Ketones: acyclic, without other oxygen function, 4-methylpentan-2-one (methyl isobutyl ketone)HS 29141364 per cent of Belgium's imports of the line, USD 29m; 14 source countries in all.
Where another country ships the same line for at least 20 per cent less a tonne.
Lines worth USD 5m or more where South Africa's unit value is recorded and another country also ships at least USD 5m of the same line to Belgium 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.
- 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 870421South Africa: USD 1.2bn at USD 12,643 a tonne. United Kingdom: USD 68m (2 per cent of the line) at USD 8,685 a tonne, 31 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 10,632 a tonne.
- 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 870360South Africa: USD 173m at USD 19,808 a tonne. China: USD 198m (6 per cent of the line) at USD 10,519 a tonne, 47 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 21,696 a tonne.
- Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000ccHS 870323South Africa: USD 97m at USD 17,598 a tonne. France: USD 127m (5 per cent of the line) at USD 11,504 a tonne, 35 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 16,806 a tonne.
- Acyclic hydrocarbons: unsaturated, n.e.c. in heading no. 2901HS 290129South Africa: USD 89m at USD 1,572 a tonne. Qatar: USD 46m (14 per cent of the line) at USD 1,246 a tonne, 21 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 5,972 a tonne.
- Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 2500ccHS 870332South Africa: USD 25m at USD 18,143 a tonne. France: USD 288m (16 per cent of the line) at USD 12,529 a tonne, 31 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 14,492 a tonne.
- Wine: still, in containers holding 2 litres or lessHS 220421South Africa: USD 19m at USD 3,916 a tonne. Spain: USD 45m (6 per cent of the line) at USD 2,448 a tonne, 38 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 4,352 a tonne.
- Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3000ccHS 870324South Africa: USD 15m at USD 58,476 a tonne. United States: USD 118m (14 per cent of the line) at USD 27,256 a tonne, 53 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 57,875 a tonne.
- Acids: saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids: ethyl acetateHS 291531South Africa: USD 15m at USD 1,061 a tonne. United Kingdom: USD 67m (36 per cent of the line) at USD 743 a tonne, 30 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 1,181 a tonne.
- Wood pulp: chemical wood pulp, dissolving gradesHS 470200South Africa: USD 13m at USD 972 a tonne. Brazil: USD 7m (14 per cent of the line) at USD 767 a tonne, 21 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 1,273 a tonne.
- Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on motor cars (including station wagons and racing cars)HS 401110South Africa: USD 9m at USD 5,797 a tonne. China: USD 109m (12 per cent of the line) at USD 2,619 a tonne, 55 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 7,425 a tonne.
- Vehicle parts and accessories: n.e.c. in heading no. 8708HS 870899South Africa: USD 6m at USD 16,156 a tonne. France: USD 315m (18 per cent of the line) at USD 7,664 a tonne, 53 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 13,445 a tonne.
- 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 330499South Africa: USD 5m at USD 78,494 a tonne. United Kingdom: USD 248m (22 per cent of the line) at USD 30,489 a tonne, 61 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 26,225 a tonne.
What Belgium buys from everyone, and what it is placed to make.
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 Belgium 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 South Africa's part of everything Belgium 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.
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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