China–South Africa Bilateral Trade 2026
China–South Africa trade reached $49.5B in January–September 2026, +24.7% year on year. China exported $21.5B and imported $28.0B.
Source: GACC Monthly · USD Data as of: September 2026 Coverage 2018-01–2026-09
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Leading commodity chapters across the available monthly history — darker cells show higher trade value. Hover any cell for detail.
Top China Exports to South Africa
| HS chapter | Jan–Sep 2026 | Share | YoY | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS 85Electrical machinery and electronics | $4.6B | 21.4% | +40.3% | $4.7B |
| HS 84Machinery and mechanical appliances | $3.4B | 15.8% | +30.0% | $3.7B |
| HS 87Vehicles and parts | $2.8B | 13.2% | +61.8% | $2.6B |
| HS 39Plastics and articles thereof | $850M | 4.0% | +27.7% | $894M |
| HS 73Articles of iron or steel | $642M | 3.0% | +17.3% | $729M |
| HS 94Furniture, bedding and lighting | $601M | 2.8% | +16.7% | $695M |
| HS 72Iron and steel | $589M | 2.7% | +18.8% | $678M |
| HS 98Commodities not classified by kind | $589M | 2.7% | +106.8% | $394M |
| HS 29Organic chemicals | $540M | 2.5% | +33.7% | $536M |
| HS 61Apparel, knitted or crocheted | $539M | 2.5% | +8.7% | $644M |
Top HS4 products, Jan–Sep 2026
| HS4 product | Jan–Sep 2026 | Share | YoY | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS 8703Motor cars for transport of persons | $1.5B | 6.8% | +91.4% | $1.2B |
| HS 8517Telecommunications equipment | $1.4B | 6.3% | +82.6% | $1.1B |
| HS 8471Automatic data processing machines | $690M | 3.2% | +36.7% | $725M |
| HS 9804Low-value goods in simplified customs procedures | $586M | 2.7% | +106.9% | $392M |
| HS 8708Parts for motor vehicles | $493M | 2.3% | +10.3% | $589M |
| HS 8429Self-propelled bulldozers, excavators | $487M | 2.3% | +74.9% | $378M |
| HS 8704Motor vehicles for transport of goods | $475M | 2.2% | +57.3% | $444M |
| HS 8507Electric accumulators | $432M | 2.0% | +23.2% | $560M |
| HS 8504Electrical transformers and converters | $403M | 1.9% | +41.5% | $423M |
| HS 8541Semiconductor devices | $349M | 1.6% | +43.3% | $352M |
Top China Imports from South Africa
| HS chapter | Jan–Sep 2026 | Share | YoY | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS 71Precious stones, metals and jewellery | $14.0B | 49.8% | +30.2% | $13.8B |
| HS 26Ores, slag and ash | $10.8B | 38.4% | +17.3% | $12.8B |
| HS 74Copper | $1.1B | 3.9% | +45.3% | $1.0B |
| HS 25Salt, sulphur, stone and cement | $396M | 1.4% | +249.0% | $150M |
| HS 08Fruit and nuts | $333M | 1.2% | +1.8% | $484M |
| HS 51Wool and animal hair | $226M | 0.8% | +43.5% | $210M |
| HS 75Nickel | $224M | 0.8% | -21.3% | $346M |
| HS 47Wood pulp and waste paper | $203M | 0.7% | +2.9% | $297M |
| HS 72Iron and steel | $197M | 0.7% | -76.9% | $896M |
| HS 38Miscellaneous chemical products | $100M | 0.4% | -14.6% | $133M |
Top HS4 products, Jan–Sep 2026
| HS4 product | Jan–Sep 2026 | Share | YoY | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS 7108Gold, unwrought, semi-finished or powder | $8.6B | 30.6% | +15.7% | $9.4B |
| HS 2610Chromium ores and concentrates | $4.6B | 16.6% | +37.8% | $4.9B |
| HS 7110Platinum and platinum-group metals | $4.6B | 16.3% | +102.3% | $3.1B |
| HS 2601Iron ores and concentrates | $3.3B | 11.7% | -2.1% | $4.5B |
| HS 2602Manganese ores and concentrates | $2.1B | 7.5% | +24.3% | $2.3B |
| HS 7102Diamonds, unmounted | $743M | 2.6% | -23.8% | $1.2B |
| HS 7402Unrefined copper and copper anodes | $702M | 2.5% | +48.1% | $606M |
| HS 2530Miscellaneous mineral substances | $360M | 1.3% | +282.9% | $121M |
| HS 2608Zinc ores and concentrates | $352M | 1.3% | +32.5% | $417M |
| HS 7403Unwrought refined copper and copper alloys | $333M | 1.2% | +28.9% | $374M |
Fast-Growing China Export Products to South Africa
Jan–Sep 2026 vs Jan–Sep 2025 · USD · ranked by USD increase
355 products qualify
- 1 SmartphonesHS 851713 Exports$906M Increase+$472M YoY+109%
- 2 Articles of low value in simplified customs proceduresHS 980400 Exports$586M Increase+$303M YoY+107%
- 3 Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons, incl. station wagons and racing cars, with spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine of a cylinder capacity >1000 ml but ≤1500ml (excluding vehicles for the transport of persons on snow and other specially designed vehicles of subheading 8703.10)HS 870322 Exports$660M Increase+$234M YoY+55%
- 4 Medium oils and preparations, of petroleum or bituminous minerals, n.e.s.HS 271019 Exports$193M Increase+$192M YoY+10,717%
- 5 Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of <10 persons, incl. station wagons and racing cars, with only electric motor for propulsion (excl. vehicles for travelling on snow and other specially designed vehicles of subheading 8703.10)HS 870380 Exports$178M Increase+$153M YoY+616%
- 6 Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons, incl. station wagons and racing cars, with spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine of a cylinder capacity >1500ml but ≤3000ml (excluding vehicles for the transport of persons on snow and other specially designed vehicles of subheading 8703.10)HS 870323 Exports$301M Increase+$147M YoY+95%
China–South Africa Annual Trade and Year-to-Date Totals
USD| Period | China exports | China imports | Total trade | China balance | Total vs prior period | Partner rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 YTD (Jan–Sep) | $21.5B | $28.0B | $49.5B | -$6.6B | +24.7% | No. 28 |
| 2025 (full year) | $23.0B | $30.6B | $53.6B | -$7.6B | +2.3% | No. 27 |
| 2024 (full year) | $21.8B | $30.6B | $52.4B | -$8.8B | -5.8% | No. 28 |
| 2023 (full year) | $23.6B | $32.0B | $55.6B | -$8.3B | -1.1% | No. 27 |
| 2022 (full year) | $23.8B | $32.4B | $56.3B | -$8.6B | +4.7% | No. 27 |
| 2021 (full year) | $20.8B | $33.0B | $53.7B | -$12.2B | +49.0% | No. 26 |
| 2020 (full year) | $15.2B | $20.8B | $36.1B | -$5.6B | -15.1% | No. 27 |
| 2019 (full year) | $16.5B | $25.9B | $42.5B | -$9.4B | -2.4% | No. 25 |
| 2018 (full year) | $16.2B | $27.3B | $43.6B | -$11.1B | — | No. 25 |
About China–South Africa trade and frequently asked questions
What was China's trade with South Africa in Jan–Sep 2026?
In January–September 2026, China–South Africa goods trade totaled $49.5B: China exported $21.5B and imported $28.0B, a China trade deficit of $6.6B (+24.7% vs the same months of 2025). South Africa ranked No. 28 among China's trading partners.
What was China's trade with South Africa in 2025?
In 2025, China–South Africa goods trade totaled $53.6B: China exported $23.0B and imported $30.6B, a China trade deficit of $7.6B (+2.3% vs 2024). South Africa ranked No. 27 among China's trading partners.
What was China's trade with South Africa in 2024?
In 2024, China–South Africa goods trade totaled $52.4B: China exported $21.8B and imported $30.6B, a China trade deficit of $8.8B (-5.8% vs 2023). South Africa ranked No. 28 among China's trading partners.
What does China export to South Africa?
In January–September 2026, China's leading exports to South Africa by HS chapter were Electrical machinery and electronics (HS 85, $4.6B, 21.4% of the total); Machinery and mechanical appliances (HS 84, $3.4B, 15.8% of the total); Vehicles and parts (HS 87, $2.8B, 13.2% of the total). The largest HS4 products were Motor cars for transport of persons (HS 8703, $1.5B); Telecommunications equipment (HS 8517, $1.4B); Automatic data processing machines (HS 8471, $690M).
What does China export to South Africa in 2025?
In 2025, China's leading exports to South Africa by HS chapter were Electrical machinery and electronics (HS 85, $4.7B, 20.5% of the total); Machinery and mechanical appliances (HS 84, $3.7B, 15.9% of the total); Vehicles and parts (HS 87, $2.6B, 11.1% of the total). The largest HS4 products were Motor cars for transport of persons (HS 8703, $1.2B); Telecommunications equipment (HS 8517, $1.1B); Automatic data processing machines (HS 8471, $725M).
What does China import from South Africa?
In January–September 2026, China's leading imports from South Africa by HS chapter were Precious stones, metals and jewellery (HS 71, $14.0B, 49.8% of the total); Ores, slag and ash (HS 26, $10.8B, 38.4% of the total); Copper (HS 74, $1.1B, 3.9% of the total). The largest HS4 products were Gold, unwrought, semi-finished or powder (HS 7108, $8.6B); Chromium ores and concentrates (HS 2610, $4.6B); Platinum and platinum-group metals (HS 7110, $4.6B).
What is China’s trade balance with South Africa?
China's goods trade balance with South Africa was -$6.6B in January–September 2026, compared with -$6.4B in the same months of 2025. 2025: -$7.6B. A negative balance is a China trade deficit.
Where can I download China–South Africa trade data?
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Source
Source
Source: China General Administration of Customs (GACC)
Citation
Citation
China South Africa bilateral trade data, monthly. General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC). https://chinadata.live/china-trade/south-africa/, accessed 2026-11-10.