Trade lane
What South Africa buys from Thailand.
South Africa imported USD 1.6bn of manufactured and processed goods from Thailand in 2024, up 13 per cent on 2022. That is 2 per cent of everything South Africa imported in these lines, and Thailand is its number 8 source. Below: the 50 largest lines, the fastest growing, where Thailand 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 1.6bnfrom Thailand in 2024 (USD 1.4bn in 2022)
2 per centof South Africa's imports in these lines, USD 68bn from every source
199product lines worth USD 1m or more on this lane
#8Thailand'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 Thailand for it at the border, Thailand'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 70 per cent of the lane.
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1
Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, for transport of goods, (of a g.v.w. not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in item no 8704.1HS 870431
Share of South Africa's imports63 per cent, 17 source countriesChangefrom USD 164k in 2022Unit valueUSD 12,217 a tonne, 4,907 tonnesUSD 60min 2024 -
2
Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), cylinder capacity over 2500ccHS 870333
Share of South Africa's imports16 per cent, 21 source countriesChangeup 96 per cent on 2022 (USD 28m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 11,627 a tonne, 4,660 tonnesUSD 54min 2024 -
3
Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on buses or lorriesHS 401120
Share of South Africa's imports18 per cent, 35 source countriesChangeup 84 per cent on 2022 (USD 27m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 5,781 a tonne, 8,439 tonnesUSD 49min 2024 -
4
Vehicle parts and accessories: n.e.c. in heading no. 8708HS 870899
Share of South Africa's imports10 per cent, 131 source countriesChangeup 51 per cent on 2022 (USD 32m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 4,213 a tonne, 11,438 tonnesUSD 48min 2024 -
5
Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 2500ccHS 870332
Share of South Africa's imports12 per cent, 27 source countriesChangeup 94 per cent on 2022 (USD 24m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 8,062 a tonne, 5,727 tonnesUSD 46min 2024 -
6
Fish preparations: sardines, sardinella and brisling or sprats, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)HS 160413
Share of South Africa's imports65 per cent, 17 source countriesChangeup 1 per cent on 2022 (USD 45m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 2,735 a tonne, 16,437 tonnesUSD 45min 2024 -
7
Iron or steel: articles n.e.c. in heading 7326HS 732690
Share of South Africa's imports28 per cent, 121 source countriesChangeup 8 per cent on 2022 (USD 41m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 7,902 a tonne, 5,593 tonnesUSD 44min 2024 -
8
Fish preparations: tunas, skipjack tuna and bonito (Sarda spp.), prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)HS 160414
Share of South Africa's imports80 per cent, 21 source countriesChangeup 16 per cent on 2022 (USD 32m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 3,768 a tonne, 10,000 tonnesUSD 38min 2024 -
9
Seats: parts, (of other than wood) for use in the assembly of motor vehicles as determined by the ministerHS 940199
Share of South Africa's imports19 per cent, 73 source countriesChangeup 34 per cent on 2022 (USD 28m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 5,573 a tonne, 6,755 tonnesUSD 38min 2024 -
10
Acids: aromatic polycarboxylic acids: terephthalic acid and its saltsHS 291736
Share of South Africa's imports28 per cent, 6 source countriesChangedown 18 per cent on 2022 (USD 45m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 799 a tonne, 46,649 tonnesUSD 37min 2024 -
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 870421
Share of South Africa's imports10 per cent, 29 source countriesChangedown 57 per cent on 2022 (USD 80m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 8,513 a tonne, 4,064 tonnesUSD 35min 2024 -
12
Lighting or visual signalling equipment: electrical, of a kind used on motor vehicles (excluding articles of heading no. 8539)HS 851220
Share of South Africa's imports16 per cent, 83 source countriesChangeup 426 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 31,815 a tonne, 1,057 tonnesUSD 34min 2024 -
13
Vehicles: parts and accessories, of bodies, other than safety seat beltsHS 870829
Share of South Africa's imports10 per cent, 101 source countriesChangedown 5 per cent on 2022 (USD 35m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 5,747 a tonne, 5,718 tonnesUSD 33min 2024 -
14
Communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other...HS 851762
Share of South Africa's imports3 per cent, 107 source countriesChangeup 104 per cent on 2022 (USD 16m in 2022)Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 32min 2024 -
15
Automatic data processing machines: portable, weighing not more than 10kg, consisting of at least a central processing unit, a keyboard and a displayHS 847130
Share of South Africa's imports3 per cent, 101 source countriesChangefrom USD 22k in 2022Unit valueUSD 135,937 a tonne, 234 tonnesUSD 32min 2024 -
16
Rubber: vulcanised (other than hard rubber), articles n.e.c. in heading no. 4016, of non-cellular rubberHS 401699
Share of South Africa's imports32 per cent, 100 source countriesChangedown 10 per cent on 2022 (USD 35m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 17,854 a tonne, 1,775 tonnesUSD 32min 2024 -
17
Bulldozers and angledozers: self-propelled, track layingHS 842911
Share of South Africa's imports35 per cent, 9 source countriesChangeup 124 per cent on 2022 (USD 14m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 12,437 a tonne, 2,538 tonnesUSD 32min 2024 -
18
Vehicle parts: drive-axles with differential, whether or not provided with other transmission components, and non-driving axles: parts thereofHS 870850
Share of South Africa's imports13 per cent, 73 source countriesChangeup 27 per cent on 2022 (USD 24m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 5,532 a tonne, 5,609 tonnesUSD 31min 2024 -
19
Vehicle parts: brakes, servo-brakes and parts thereofHS 870830
Share of South Africa's imports13 per cent, 80 source countriesChangedown 9 per cent on 2022 (USD 33m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 8,767 a tonne, 3,451 tonnesUSD 30min 2024 -
20
Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on motor cars (including station wagons and racing cars)HS 401110
Share of South Africa's imports10 per cent, 45 source countriesChangeup 24 per cent on 2022 (USD 19m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,738 a tonne, 13,837 tonnesUSD 24min 2024 -
21
Aluminium: plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm, alloys, rectangular (including square)HS 760612
Share of South Africa's imports18 per cent, 33 source countriesChangedown 42 per cent on 2022 (USD 35m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 3,441 a tonne, 5,853 tonnesUSD 20min 2024 -
22
Vehicle parts: safety airbags with inflater system: parts thereofHS 870895
Share of South Africa's imports30 per cent, 46 source countriesChangeup 12 per cent on 2022 (USD 15m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 15,895 a tonne, 1,028 tonnesUSD 16min 2024 -
23
Insulated electric conductors: ignition wiring sets and other wiring sets of a kind used in vehicles, aircraft or shipsHS 854430
Share of South Africa's imports11 per cent, 84 source countriesChangedown 47 per cent on 2022 (USD 29m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 18,170 a tonne, 835 tonnesUSD 15min 2024 -
24
Units of automatic data processing machines: storage unitsHS 847170
Share of South Africa's imports9 per cent, 89 source countriesChangedown 25 per cent on 2022 (USD 20m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 396,019 a tonne, 38 tonnesUSD 15min 2024 -
25
Washing machines: household or laundry-type, of a dry linen capacity exceeding 10kgHS 845020
Share of South Africa's imports25 per cent, 23 source countriesChangeup 2 per cent on 2022 (USD 14m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 4,840 a tonne, 3,038 tonnesUSD 15min 2024 -
26
Vehicles: bodies (including cabs) for the motor vehicles of heading no. 8701, 8702, 8704 or 8705HS 870790
Share of South Africa's imports42 per cent, 31 source countriesChangefrom USD 888k in 2022Unit valueUSD 9,241 a tonne, 1,486 tonnesUSD 14min 2024 -
27
Engines: compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel or semi-diesel engines), of a kind used for the propulsion of vehicles of chapter 87HS 840820
Share of South Africa's imports6 per cent, 46 source countriesChangedown 15 per cent on 2022 (USD 16m in 2022)Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 14min 2024 -
28
Propylene, other olefin polymers: propylene copolymers in primary formsHS 390230
Share of South Africa's imports23 per cent, 27 source countriesChangedown 32 per cent on 2022 (USD 20m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,807 a tonne, 7,527 tonnesUSD 14min 2024 -
29
Vehicles: bumpers and parts thereof, for the vehicles of heading no. 8701 to 8705HS 870810
Share of South Africa's imports20 per cent, 72 source countriesChangeup 253 per cent on 2022 (USD 4m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 23,383 a tonne, 571 tonnesUSD 13min 2024 -
30
Ignition or starting equipment: generators n.e.c. in heading no. 8511, of a kind used for spark or compression-ignition internal combustion enginesHS 851150
Share of South Africa's imports39 per cent, 61 source countriesChangefrom USD 632k in 2022Unit valueUSD 13,952 a tonne, 917 tonnesUSD 13min 2024 -
31
Dextrins and other modified starchesHS 350510
Share of South Africa's imports23 per cent, 32 source countriesChangedown 24 per cent on 2022 (USD 16m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 881 a tonne, 13,788 tonnesUSD 12min 2024 -
32
Machinery: filtering or purifying machinery, oil or petrol filters for internal combustion enginesHS 842123
Share of South Africa's imports12 per cent, 102 source countriesChangeup 3 per cent on 2022 (USD 12m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 92,501 a tonne, 130 tonnesUSD 12min 2024 -
33
Lighting or signalling equipment: electrical, (excluding articles of heading no. 8539), windscreen wipers, defrosters and demisters: parts, of those kinds used for...HS 851290
Share of South Africa's imports30 per cent, 69 source countriesChangeup 18 per cent on 2022 (USD 10m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 31,190 a tonne, 378 tonnesUSD 12min 2024 -
34
Containers for compressed or liquefied gas, of iron or steelHS 731100
Share of South Africa's imports31 per cent, 72 source countriesChangedown 5 per cent on 2022 (USD 12m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,658 a tonne, 6,886 tonnesUSD 11min 2024 -
35
Cranes: transporter, gantry and bridge cranesHS 842619
Share of South Africa's imports26 per cent, 17 source countriesChangenew since 2022Unit valueUSD 17,514 a tonne, 643 tonnesUSD 11min 2024 -
36
Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of 0.94 or moreHS 390120
Share of South Africa's imports6 per cent, 44 source countriesChangedown 34 per cent on 2022 (USD 16m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,268 a tonne, 8,254 tonnesUSD 10min 2024 -
37
Television cameras: n.e.c. in item no 8525.8HS 852589
Share of South Africa's imports8 per cent, 81 source countriesChangedown 6 per cent on 2022 (USD 10m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 586,324 a tonne, 17 tonnesUSD 10min 2024 -
38
Vehicles: for transport of goods, n.e.c. in heading no. 8704HS 870490
Share of South Africa's imports90 per cent, 9 source countriesChangedown 52 per cent on 2022 (USD 20m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 12,267 a tonne, 791 tonnesUSD 10min 2024 -
39
Circuits: printedHS 853400
Share of South Africa's imports26 per cent, 71 source countriesChangedown 2 per cent on 2022 (USD 9m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 77,084 a tonne, 117 tonnesUSD 9min 2024 -
40
Lenses, spectacle: unmounted, of materials other than glassHS 900150
Share of South Africa's imports43 per cent, 42 source countriesChangedown 4 per cent on 2022 (USD 9m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 241,278 a tonne, 37 tonnesUSD 9min 2024 -
41
Electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542HS 854239
Share of South Africa's imports18 per cent, 71 source countriesChangedown 1 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022)Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 8min 2024 -
42
Pumps: fuel, lubricating or cooling medium pumps for internal combustion piston enginesHS 841330
Share of South Africa's imports7 per cent, 85 source countriesChangeup 70 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 33,162 a tonne, 252 tonnesUSD 8min 2024 -
43
Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500ccHS 870322
Share of South Africa's imports1 per cent, 27 source countriesChangedown 61 per cent on 2022 (USD 21m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 9,534 a tonne, 873 tonnesUSD 8min 2024 -
44
Propylene, other olefin polymers: polypropylene in primary formsHS 390210
Share of South Africa's imports14 per cent, 39 source countriesChangeup 140 per cent on 2022 (USD 3m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 2,290 a tonne, 3,582 tonnesUSD 8min 2024 -
45
Organic surface-active agents: non-ionic (other than soap), whether or not put up for retail saleHS 340242
Share of South Africa's imports12 per cent, 36 source countriesChangeup 21 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 1,922 a tonne, 4,081 tonnesUSD 8min 2024 -
46
Cyclic hydrocarbons: o-xyleneHS 290241
Share of South Africa's imports71 per cent, 4 source countriesChangenew since 2022Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of rangeUSD 7min 2024 -
47
Air conditioning machines: with motor driven fan and elements for temperature control, parts thereofHS 841590
Share of South Africa's imports10 per cent, 68 source countriesChangedown 2 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 12,499 a tonne, 524 tonnesUSD 7min 2024 -
48
Printing machinery: parts and accessories, n.e.c. in item no. 8443.91HS 844399
Share of South Africa's imports2 per cent, 89 source countriesChangedown 3 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022)Unit valueUSD 95,217 a tonne, 67 tonnesUSD 6min 2024 -
49
Tools, interchangeable: (for machine or hand tools, whether or not power-operated), tools for pressing, stamping or punchingHS 820730
Share of South Africa's imports11 per cent, 59 source countriesChangefrom USD 6k in 2022Unit valueUSD 49,812 a tonne, 121 tonnesUSD 6min 2024 -
50
Boilers: parts of steam or other vapour generating boilersHS 840290
Share of South Africa's imports58 per cent, 35 source countriesChangefrom USD 280k in 2022Unit valueUSD 59,533 a tonne, 100 tonnesUSD 6min 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.
- Lighting or visual signalling equipment: electrical, of a kind used on motor vehicles (excluding articles of heading no. 8539)HS 851220USD 34m in 2024, up 426 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). Thailand supplies 16 per cent of the line.
- Bulldozers and angledozers: self-propelled, track layingHS 842911USD 32m in 2024, up 124 per cent on 2022 (USD 14m in 2022). Thailand supplies 35 per cent of the line.
- Communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other...HS 851762USD 32m in 2024, up 104 per cent on 2022 (USD 16m in 2022). Thailand supplies 3 per cent of the line.
- Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), cylinder capacity over 2500ccHS 870333USD 54m in 2024, up 96 per cent on 2022 (USD 28m in 2022). Thailand supplies 16 per cent of the line.
- Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 2500ccHS 870332USD 46m in 2024, up 94 per cent on 2022 (USD 24m in 2022). Thailand supplies 12 per cent of the line.
- Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on buses or lorriesHS 401120USD 49m in 2024, up 84 per cent on 2022 (USD 27m in 2022). Thailand supplies 18 per cent of the line.
- Vehicle parts and accessories: n.e.c. in heading no. 8708HS 870899USD 48m in 2024, up 51 per cent on 2022 (USD 32m in 2022). Thailand supplies 10 per cent of the line.
- Seats: parts, (of other than wood) for use in the assembly of motor vehicles as determined by the ministerHS 940199USD 38m in 2024, up 34 per cent on 2022 (USD 28m in 2022). Thailand supplies 19 per cent of the line.
- Vehicle parts: drive-axles with differential, whether or not provided with other transmission components, and non-driving axles: parts thereofHS 870850USD 31m in 2024, up 27 per cent on 2022 (USD 24m in 2022). Thailand supplies 13 per cent of the line.
- Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on motor cars (including station wagons and racing cars)HS 401110USD 24m in 2024, up 24 per cent on 2022 (USD 19m in 2022). Thailand supplies 10 per cent of the line.
- Organic surface-active agents: non-ionic (other than soap), whether or not put up for retail saleHS 340242USD 8m in 2024, up 21 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). Thailand supplies 12 per cent of the line.
- Lighting or signalling equipment: electrical, (excluding articles of heading no. 8539), windscreen wipers, defrosters and demisters: parts, of those kinds used for...HS 851290USD 12m in 2024, up 18 per cent on 2022 (USD 10m in 2022). Thailand supplies 30 per cent of the line.
- Fish preparations: tunas, skipjack tuna and bonito (Sarda spp.), prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)HS 160414USD 38m in 2024, up 16 per cent on 2022 (USD 32m in 2022). Thailand supplies 80 per cent of the line.
- Vehicle parts: safety airbags with inflater system: parts thereofHS 870895USD 16m in 2024, up 12 per cent on 2022 (USD 15m in 2022). Thailand supplies 30 per cent of the line.
- Iron or steel: articles n.e.c. in heading 7326HS 732690USD 44m in 2024, up 8 per cent on 2022 (USD 41m in 2022). Thailand supplies 28 per cent of the line.
- Machinery: filtering or purifying machinery, oil or petrol filters for internal combustion enginesHS 842123USD 12m in 2024, up 3 per cent on 2022 (USD 12m in 2022). Thailand supplies 12 per cent of the line.
- Washing machines: household or laundry-type, of a dry linen capacity exceeding 10kgHS 845020USD 15m in 2024, up 2 per cent on 2022 (USD 14m in 2022). Thailand supplies 25 per cent of the line.
- Fish preparations: sardines, sardinella and brisling or sprats, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)HS 160413USD 45m in 2024, up 1 per cent on 2022 (USD 45m in 2022). Thailand supplies 65 per cent of the line.
Where Thailand dominates
Lines where Thailand supplies 60 per cent or more.
The largest lines worth USD 1m or more where Thailand 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.
- Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, for transport of goods, (of a g.v.w. not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in item no 8704.1HS 87043163 per cent of South Africa's imports of the line, USD 60m; 17 source countries in all.
- Fish preparations: sardines, sardinella and brisling or sprats, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)HS 16041365 per cent of South Africa's imports of the line, USD 45m; 17 source countries in all.
- Fish preparations: tunas, skipjack tuna and bonito (Sarda spp.), prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)HS 16041480 per cent of South Africa's imports of the line, USD 38m; 21 source countries in all.
- Vehicles: for transport of goods, n.e.c. in heading no. 8704HS 87049090 per cent of South Africa's imports of the line, USD 10m; 9 source countries in all.
- Cyclic hydrocarbons: o-xyleneHS 29024171 per cent of South Africa's imports of the line, USD 7m; 4 source countries in all.
- Office machines: duplicating machinesHS 84721094 per cent of South Africa's imports of the line, USD 5m; 5 source countries in all.
- Wood: doors and their frames and thresholds, (of other than tropical wood)HS 44182960 per cent of South Africa's imports of the line, USD 5m; 30 source countries in all.
- Calculating machines: electronic, (not incorporating a printing device), needing an external power sourceHS 84702987 per cent of South Africa's imports of the line, USD 2m; 18 source countries in all.
- Safety pins and other pins: of iron or steelHS 73194061 per cent of South Africa's imports of the line, USD 1m; 38 source countries in all.
- Plastics: of acrylic polymers (excluding polymethyl methacrylate), plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated...HS 39205973 per cent of South Africa's imports of the line, USD 1m; 23 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 Thailand'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.
- Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, for transport of goods, (of a g.v.w. not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in item no 8704.1HS 870431Thailand: USD 60m at USD 12,217 a tonne. Poland: USD 6m (6 per cent of the line) at USD 9,008 a tonne, 26 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 10,158 a tonne.
- Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), cylinder capacity over 2500ccHS 870333Thailand: USD 54m at USD 11,627 a tonne. Portugal: USD 20m (6 per cent of the line) at USD 8,642 a tonne, 26 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 20,045 a tonne.
- Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on buses or lorriesHS 401120Thailand: USD 49m at USD 5,781 a tonne. China: USD 109m (41 per cent of the line) at USD 1,718 a tonne, 70 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 4,133 a tonne.
- Iron or steel: articles n.e.c. in heading 7326HS 732690Thailand: USD 44m at USD 7,902 a tonne. China: USD 48m (30 per cent of the line) at USD 2,320 a tonne, 71 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 8,736 a tonne.
- 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 870421Thailand: USD 35m at USD 8,513 a tonne. China: USD 61m (18 per cent of the line) at USD 4,640 a tonne, 46 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 9,135 a tonne.
- Lighting or visual signalling equipment: electrical, of a kind used on motor vehicles (excluding articles of heading no. 8539)HS 851220Thailand: USD 34m at USD 31,815 a tonne. China: USD 20m (9 per cent of the line) at USD 10,066 a tonne, 68 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 48,365 a tonne.
- Vehicles: parts and accessories, of bodies, other than safety seat beltsHS 870829Thailand: USD 33m at USD 5,747 a tonne. Germany: USD 92m (28 per cent of the line) at USD 3,510 a tonne, 39 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 11,152 a tonne.
- Rubber: vulcanised (other than hard rubber), articles n.e.c. in heading no. 4016, of non-cellular rubberHS 401699Thailand: USD 32m at USD 17,854 a tonne. China: USD 13m (13 per cent of the line) at USD 3,669 a tonne, 79 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 12,744 a tonne.
- Bulldozers and angledozers: self-propelled, track layingHS 842911Thailand: USD 32m at USD 12,437 a tonne. Japan: USD 34m (37 per cent of the line) at USD 6,605 a tonne, 47 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 6,651 a tonne.
- Vehicle parts: drive-axles with differential, whether or not provided with other transmission components, and non-driving axles: parts thereofHS 870850Thailand: USD 31m at USD 5,532 a tonne. China: USD 28m (12 per cent of the line) at USD 4,261 a tonne, 23 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 12,720 a tonne.
- Vehicle parts: brakes, servo-brakes and parts thereofHS 870830Thailand: USD 30m at USD 8,767 a tonne. China: USD 63m (26 per cent of the line) at USD 2,232 a tonne, 75 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 10,009 a tonne.
- Aluminium: plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm, alloys, rectangular (including square)HS 760612Thailand: USD 20m at USD 3,441 a tonne. South Korea: USD 7m (6 per cent of the line) at USD 1,472 a tonne, 57 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 4,395 a tonne.
- Vehicle parts: safety airbags with inflater system: parts thereofHS 870895Thailand: USD 16m at USD 15,895 a tonne. China: USD 6m (12 per cent of the line) at USD 10,063 a tonne, 37 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 20,205 a tonne.
- Insulated electric conductors: ignition wiring sets and other wiring sets of a kind used in vehicles, aircraft or shipsHS 854430Thailand: USD 15m at USD 18,170 a tonne. Botswana: USD 102m (71 per cent of the line) at USD 8,804 a tonne, 52 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 39,277 a tonne.
- Units of automatic data processing machines: storage unitsHS 847170Thailand: USD 15m at USD 396,019 a tonne. Poland: USD 5m (3 per cent of the line) at USD 305,990 a tonne, 23 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 380,341 a tonne.
- Washing machines: household or laundry-type, of a dry linen capacity exceeding 10kgHS 845020Thailand: USD 15m at USD 4,840 a tonne. China: USD 32m (54 per cent of the line) at USD 3,467 a tonne, 28 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 12,969 a tonne.
- Vehicles: bumpers and parts thereof, for the vehicles of heading no. 8701 to 8705HS 870810Thailand: USD 13m at USD 23,383 a tonne. China: USD 10m (15 per cent of the line) at USD 14,071 a tonne, 40 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 19,320 a tonne.
- Ignition or starting equipment: generators n.e.c. in heading no. 8511, of a kind used for spark or compression-ignition internal combustion enginesHS 851150Thailand: USD 13m at USD 13,952 a tonne. China: USD 9m (27 per cent of the line) at USD 8,694 a tonne, 38 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 16,354 a tonne.
- Machinery: filtering or purifying machinery, oil or petrol filters for internal combustion enginesHS 842123Thailand: USD 12m at USD 92,501 a tonne. Germany: USD 20m (20 per cent of the line) at USD 16,011 a tonne, 83 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 22,859 a tonne.
- Lighting or signalling equipment: electrical, (excluding articles of heading no. 8539), windscreen wipers, defrosters and demisters: parts, of those kinds used for...HS 851290Thailand: USD 12m at USD 31,190 a tonne. China: USD 12m (30 per cent of the line) at USD 17,370 a tonne, 44 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 25,214 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 Thailand'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.
Want to know when this lane moves?
A sourcing alert for Thailand to South Africa is not built yet. If it is built, it would tell you when a line on this lane shifts: a new source country, a share that moves, a unit value that changes sharply. Leave an address and you will hear when it exists, and nothing else.
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