Trade in a Bottle: Identifying Import Bottlenecks in International Trade

Extreme Import Bottlenecks

The tables below show South Africa's import sources for HS product codes where a single source country accounts for >= 80% of total imports and the import value is >= 10,000,000 USD. Only data for the most recent available year is displayed. If you want more data, visit the Country Matrix.

South Africa

178 bottlenecks
#Partner HS Code HS DescriptionYearShare (%) Value (USD)
1China870451Vehicles; with both spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine and electric motors for propulsion, of a g.v.w. not exceeding 5,000kg2025100.00%38,414,346
2Germany840130Fuel elements (cartridges); non-irradiated2025100.00%102,203,531
3Mozambique271111Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons; liquefied, natural gas2025100.00%465,248,999
4United Kingdom870350Vehicles; with both compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel) and electric motor for propulsion, incapable of being charged by plugging to external source of electric power2025100.00%34,911,636
5Lesotho510119Wool; (other than shorn), greasy (including fleece-washed wool), not carded or combed202599.89%42,006,853
6China852499Flat panel display modules, whether or not incorporating touch-sensitive screens; of other than liquid crystals or organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), with drivers or control circuits202599.78%79,042,782
7China810411Magnesium; unwrought, containing at least 99.8% by weight of magnesium202599.76%10,677,437
8Brazil790112Zinc; unwrought, (not alloyed), containing by weight less than 99.99% of zinc202599.74%30,395,918
9Namibia010410Sheep; live202599.73%29,709,094
10Mozambique271600Electrical energy202599.67%193,736,256
11USA841111Turbo-jets; of a thrust not exceeding 25kN202599.65%12,626,124
12Zimbabwe261000Chromium ores and concentrates202599.59%22,478,443
13China850180Electric generators; (excluding generating sets), photovoltaic AC generators (alternators)202599.54%186,530,088
14Eswatini440312Wood; non-coniferous species, in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared; treated with paint, stains, creosote or other preservatives202599.49%11,422,294
15Norway030214Fish; fresh or chilled, Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and Danube salmon (Hucho hucho), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99202599.41%29,120,965
16Argentina710812Metals; gold, non-monetary, unwrought (but not powder)202599.38%13,494,255
17Saudi Arabia290250Cyclic hydrocarbons; styrene202599.37%33,049,657
18Switzerland910121Wrist-watches; (not electrically operated), automatic winding, whether or not incorporating a stop-watch facility, case of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal202599.27%27,923,737
19Russian Federation310240Fertilizers, mineral or chemical; ammonium nitrate with calcium carbonate or other inorganic non-fertilizing substances, mixtures thereof202599.20%15,092,299
20USA711810Coin (other than gold coin), not being legal tender202599.15%28,756,235
21Namibia030474Fish fillets; frozen, hake (Merluccius spp., Urophycis spp.)202599.09%21,061,487
22China240412Products containing nicotine, other than tobacco or reconstituted tobacco, intended for inhalation without combustion202599.04%65,075,873
23China200979Juice; apple, of a Brix value exceeding 20, unfermented, not containing added spirit, whether or not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter202599.03%100,982,654
24China292241Amino-acids, other than those containing more than one kind of oxygen function, and their esters; lysine and its esters; salts thereof202598.93%23,651,731
25Eswatini440711Wood; coniferous species, of pine (Pinus spp.), sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed, sanded or finger-jointed, of a thickness exceeding 6mm202598.79%83,987,145
26China854340Electrical machines and apparatus; electronic cigarettes and similar personal electric vaporising devices202598.74%14,326,086
27Australia281820Aluminium oxide; other than artificial corundum202598.62%728,270,387
28China846269Machine-tools; cold metal working presses, other than hydraulic, mechanical or servo-presses202598.58%10,147,769
29USA271112Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons; liquefied, propane202598.40%209,967,453
30China600110Fabrics; long pile fabrics, knitted or crocheted202598.19%18,022,041
31China854143Electrical apparatus; photosensitive semiconductor devices, photovoltaic cells assembled in modules or made up into panels202597.99%208,884,388
32Eswatini170113Sugars; cane sugar, raw, in solid form, as specified in Subheading Note 2 to this chapter, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter202597.99%280,322,840
33China721050Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, plated or coated with chromium oxides or with chromium and chromium oxides202597.86%13,268,382
34Saudi Arabia252310Cement clinkers (whether or not coloured)202597.73%17,031,465
35Saudi Arabia290511Alcohols; saturated monohydric, methanol (methyl alcohol)202597.65%13,474,081
36China870240Vehicles; public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), with only electric motor for propulsion, new or used202597.53%12,456,363
37China382759Mixtures containing halogenated derivatives of methane, ethane or propane; containing trifluoromethan (HFC-23) or perfluorocarbons (PFCs) not containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs); other mixtures n.e.c. in subheading 38202597.27%14,519,660
38China540791Fabrics, woven; of synthetic filament yarn, bleached or unbleached, n.e.c. in heading no. 5407202596.79%26,773,437
39China290345Saturated fluorinated derivatives of acyclic hydrocarbons; 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a) and 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134)202596.74%10,713,095
40United Kingdom010511Poultry; live, fowls of the species Gallus domesticus, weighing not more than 185g202596.34%16,999,305
41Italy200210Vegetable preparations; tomatoes, whole or in pieces, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid202596.24%13,483,280
42China760691Aluminium; plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm, not alloyed, (not rectangular or square)202596.02%14,600,200
43China540754Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of textured polyester filaments, printed202595.93%30,070,643
44China760410Aluminium; (not alloyed), bars, rods and profiles202595.92%12,999,119
45India870331Vehicles; with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), cylinder capacity not over 1500cc202595.90%10,852,854
46China283319Sodium sulphates; other than disodium sulphate202595.87%13,990,298
47Ireland842619Cranes; transporter, gantry and bridge cranes202595.83%119,994,391
48China961700Vacuum flasks and other vacuum vessels, complete with cases; parts thereof other than glass inners202595.82%24,272,763
49Lesotho630499Furnishing articles; of textile materials other than cotton or synthetic fibres, not knitted or crocheted (excluding bedspreads and articles of heading no. 9404)202595.82%20,359,681
50China853952Lamps; light-emitting diode (LED) light sources, light-emitting diode (LED) lamps202595.73%37,553,389
51China610822Briefs and panties; women's or girls', of man-made fibres, knitted or crocheted202595.66%22,529,322
52China851640Smoothing irons; electric202595.62%20,780,173
53China851650Ovens; microwave, of a kind used for domestic purposes202595.60%65,389,873
54China540752Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of textured polyester filaments, dyed202595.26%99,370,754
55China851679Electro-thermic appliances; n.e.c. in heading no. 8516, used for domestic purposes202595.07%43,288,119
56China850760Electric accumulators; lithium-ion, including separators, whether or not rectangular (including square)202594.88%458,499,002
57China600490Fabrics; knitted or crocheted, other than those of heading 60.01, of a width exceeding 30 cm, containing by weight 5% or more of elastomeric yarn or rubber thread,202594.87%12,002,080
58China640291Footwear; n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, covering the ankle, with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics202594.56%33,446,963
59China721061Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, plated or coated with aluminium zinc-alloys202594.37%41,192,455
60Mozambique670490Wigs, false beards, eyebrows and eyelashes, switches and the like and other articles n.e.c.; of animal hair or of textile materials other than synthetic202594.35%42,442,202
61Switzerland910221Wrist-watches; whether or not incorporating a stop-watch facility, with automatic winding202594.31%33,689,900
62China600410Fabrics; knitted or crocheted fabrics of a width exceeding 30 cm, other than those of heading 60.01, containing by weight 5% or more of elastomeric yarn but not containing rubber thread202594.24%21,624,588
63China700719Glass; safety glass, toughened (tempered), (not of a size and shape suitable for incorporation in vehicles, aircraft, spacecraft or vessels)202593.31%11,236,359
64France220820Spirits obtained by distilling grape wine or grape marc202593.22%99,235,034
65China600192Fabrics; pile fabrics (excluding long pile and loop pile), of man-made fibres, knitted or crocheted202593.15%18,391,676
66China760711Aluminium; foil, (not backed), rolled (but not further worked), of a thickness not exceeding 0.2mm202593.02%11,904,217
67China282300Titanium oxides202592.87%20,327,050
68Eswatini440112Wood; for fuel, in logs, in billets, in twigs, in faggots or similar forms, whether or not agglomerated, non-coniferous202592.72%39,581,473
69Lesotho110313Cereal groats and meal; of maize (corn)202592.37%13,994,166
70China850172Electric generators; photovoltaic DC generators, of an output exceeding 50W202592.17%16,474,949
71China731812Iron or steel; threaded wood screws other than coach screws202592.09%10,628,330
72China940179Seats; with metal frames, not upholstered, (excluding medical, surgical, dental, veterinary or barber furniture)202591.92%22,241,635
73USA120190Soya beans; other than seed, whether or not broken202591.88%24,569,940
74China851779Communication apparatus; parts, other than aerials and aerial reflectors of all kinds202591.84%271,576,601
75China841510Air conditioning machines; comprising a motor-driven fan and elements for changing the temperature and humidity, of a kind designed to be fixed to a window, wall, ceiling or floor, self-contained or 'split-system'202591.81%106,295,324
76China760429Aluminium; alloys, bars, rods and profiles, other than hollow202591.65%83,185,926
77Saudi Arabia291614Acids; unsaturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids; esters of methacrylic acid202591.50%15,600,532
78China850940Electro-mechanical domestic appliances; food grinders and mixers, fruit or vegetable juice extractors, with self-contained electric motor202591.40%31,719,756
79China611130Garments and clothing accessories; babies', of synthetic fibres, knitted or crocheted202591.28%17,487,525
80Switzerland240220Cigarettes; containing tobacco202591.11%73,649,443
81China950450Games; video game consoles and machines, other than those of subheading 9504.30202591.07%57,708,305
82Germany842612Cranes; mobile lifting frames on tyres and straddle carriers202591.06%15,079,101
83China610821Briefs and panties; women's or girls', of cotton, knitted or crocheted202590.81%10,815,485
84China847130Automatic data processing machines; portable, weighing not more than 10kg, consisting of at least a central processing unit, a keyboard and a display202590.66%1,021,509,445
85USA360310Safety fuses202590.64%13,365,062
86China283990Silicates; commercial alkali metal silicates, other than of sodium202590.36%13,704,222
87China961610Scent sprays and similar toilet sprays, and mounts and heads therefor202590.14%10,463,117
88China600632Fabrics; knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings 60.01 to 60.04, of synthetic fibres, dyed202590.08%28,367,994
89China420299Cases and containers; n.e.c. in heading 4202, of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard, or wholly or mainly covered with such materials or with paper202589.71%11,504,179
90China401019Rubber; vulcanised, conveyor belts or belting, (reinforced with other than metal only or textile materials only)202589.64%16,557,568
91Namibia030355Fish; frozen, jack and horse mackerel (Trachurus spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99202589.35%16,881,565
92China392620Plastics; articles of apparel and clothing accessories (including gloves, mittens and mitts)202589.24%15,306,166
93Zimbabwe720711Iron or non-alloy steel; semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel; containing by weight less than 0.25% of carbon, of rectangular (including square) cross-section, width less than twice thickness202589.14%76,133,113
94China640220Footwear; with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics, upper straps or thongs assembled to the sole by plugs202588.76%17,596,233
95USA870130Tractors; track-laying202588.74%14,443,336
96China621210Brassieres; whether or not knitted or crocheted202588.64%39,928,950
97USA080212Nuts, edible; almonds, fresh or dried, shelled202588.51%18,699,564
98Brazil020712Meat and edible offal; of fowls of the species Gallus domesticus, not cut in pieces, frozen202588.50%124,619,413
99Italy680710Asphalt or similar material; articles (e.g. petroleum bitumen or coal tar pitch) in rolls202588.47%14,596,607
100China310221Fertilizers, mineral or chemical; nitrogenous, ammonium sulphate202588.41%67,024,447
101China711790Jewellery; imitation, of other than base metal, whether or not plated with precious metal202588.33%13,687,471
102China851310Lamps; portable, electric, designed to function by their own source of energy (excluding lighting equipment of heading no. 8512)202588.27%13,296,831
103China531100Fabrics, woven; of vegetable textile fibres n.e.c. in heading no. 5309 and 5310, woven fabrics of paper yarn202588.26%16,542,626
104China940139Seats; swivel with variable height adjustment of other than wood, excluding medical, surgical, dental, veterinary or barber furniture202588.13%16,996,695
105France360360Electric detonators202588.09%10,889,638
106Eswatini170410Sugar confectionery; chewing gum, whether or not sugar-coated, not containing cocoa202588.02%35,107,609
107China841451Fans; table, floor, wall, window, ceiling or roof fans, with a self-contained electric motor of an output not exceeding 125W202587.96%22,321,746
108Zambia720230Ferro-alloys; ferro-silico-manganese202587.87%13,989,203
109China841581Air conditioning machines; containing a motor driven fan, other than window or wall types, incorporating a refrigerating unit and a valve for reversal of the cooling/heat cycle (reversible heat pumps)202587.82%10,040,213
110China292990Nitrogen-function compounds; n.e.c. in chapter 29, excluding isocyanates202587.72%12,965,910
111China283329Sulphates; n.e.c. in item no. 2833.2202587.70%13,131,286
112Japan840721Engines; outboard motors for marine propulsion, spark-ignition reciprocating or rotary internal combustion piston engines202587.64%16,130,754
113Angola851439Furnaces and ovens; electric, for industrial or laboratory use, other than those functioning by induction, dielectric loss or resistance heated, other than electron beam, plasma or vacuum arc furnaces202587.48%14,804,429
114China292242Amino-acids, other than those containing more than one kind of oxygen function, and their esters; glutamic acid and its esters; salts thereof202587.37%18,382,669
115China732399Iron or steel; table, kitchen and other household articles and parts thereof, of iron or steel n.e.c. in heading no. 7323202587.36%13,961,705
116Botswana270112Coal; bituminous, whether or not pulverised, but not agglomerated202587.34%28,516,467
117China540782Fabrics, woven; of synthetic filament yarn, containing less than 85% by weight of synthetic filaments, mixed mainly or solely with cotton, dyed202587.26%16,582,061
118Mexico220890Spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages; n.e.c. in heading no. 2208202587.21%23,683,865
119China292390Quaternary ammonium salts and hydroxides; whether or not chemically defined n.e.c. in heading no. 2923202587.19%20,783,617
120China846721Tools; for working in the hand, with self-contained electric motor; drills of all kinds202587.18%23,532,486
121Finland871000Tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles; motorised, whether or not fitted with weapons, and parts of such vehicles202587.04%30,304,883
122China741110Copper; tubes and pipes, of refined copper202586.86%16,424,607
123China940511Luminaires and light fittings; chandeliers and electric ceiling or wall light fittings; (excluding those used for lighting public open spaces or thoroughfares), for use solely with light-emitting diode (LED) light sources202586.30%14,851,773
124France220410Wine; sparkling202586.28%25,761,737
125China852190Video recording or reproducing apparatus; other than magnetic tape-type202586.08%17,940,928
126China850780Electric accumulators; other than lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion, including separators, whether or not rectangular (including square)202585.90%18,783,280
127China284210Salts of inorganic acids or peroxoacids, double or complex silicates, including aluminosilicates, whether or not chemically defined, excluding azides202585.69%15,970,041
128China851629Heating apparatus; electric soil heating apparatus and space heating apparatus (excluding storage heating radiators)202585.68%11,595,090
129Thailand160414Fish preparations; tunas, skipjack tuna and bonito (Sarda spp.), prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)202585.67%24,695,515
130China732393Steel, stainless; table, kitchen and other household articles and parts thereof202585.54%24,986,433
131China691110Tableware and kitchenware; of porcelain or china202585.39%16,485,955
132China420212Cases and containers; trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases, executive-cases, brief-cases, school satchels and similar containers, with outer surface of plastics or of textile materials202585.35%29,487,280
133USA841112Turbo-jets; of a thrust exceeding 25kN202585.33%173,143,687
134India282732Chlorides; of aluminium202585.13%10,242,182
135Luxembourg401190Rubber; new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on light commercial vehicles202584.95%10,883,894
136China640340Footwear; with metal toe-cap, outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather, uppers of leather202584.92%31,426,646
137Namibia710813Metals; gold, semi-manufactured202584.90%1,240,359,166
138Argentina230400Oil-cake and other solid residues; whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of soya-bean oil202584.84%44,899,630
139Zimbabwe240120Tobacco; partly or wholly stemmed or stripped202584.49%78,994,261
140China940542Luminaires and light fittings; electric, designed for use solely with light-emitting diode (LED) light sources202584.38%69,092,876
141China600537Fabrics; warp knit (including those made on galloon knitting machines), other than those of headings 60.01 to 60.04, of synthetic fibres, dyed202584.16%21,158,848
142Botswana391723Plastics; tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, rigid, of polymers of vinyl chloride202584.11%15,556,799
143China540220Yarn, synthetic; filament, monofilament (less than 67 decitex), of high tenacity yarn of polyesters, whether or not textured, not for retail sale, not sewing thread202583.92%10,308,379
144China650500Hats and other headgear; knitted or crocheted, or made up from lace, felt or other textile fabric, in the piece (but not in strips), whether or not lined or trimmed; hair-nets of any material, whether or not lined or trimmed202583.86%54,959,182
145China730791Iron or steel; tube or pipe fittings, flanges, other than stainless steel202583.64%17,976,415
146Germany711011Metals; platinum, unwrought or in powder form202583.57%34,465,138
147China870380Vehicles; with only electric motor for propulsion202583.50%48,380,543
148China482010Paper and paperboard; registers, account books, note books, order books, receipt books, letter pads, memorandum pads, diaries and similar articles202583.38%11,677,692
149Zimbabwe270400Coke and semi-coke; of coal, lignite or peat, whether or not agglomerated; retort carbon202583.23%147,729,240
150China851714Telephone sets; other than smartphones, for cellular or other wireless networks202583.14%19,943,977
151France441600Wood; casks, barrels, vats, tubs and other coopers' products and parts thereof, of wood, including staves202582.46%16,081,157
152Viet Nam252329Cement; portland, other than white, whether or not artificially coloured202582.08%53,143,369
153Argentina150790Vegetable oils; soya-bean oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified202581.87%21,277,336
154China731029Tanks, casks, drums, boxes and similar containers for any material (excluding compressed or liquefied gas) less than 50l capacity, n.e.c. in item no. 7310.2, of iron or steel202581.63%11,616,537
155China400249Rubber; synthetic, chloroprene (chlorobutadiene) rubber (CR), (other than latex), in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip202581.59%10,183,254
156China620140Coats; men's or boys', overcoats, raincoats, car-coats, capes, cloaks, anoraks (including ski-jackets) and similar articles, of man-made fibres, other than those of heading no. 6203 (not knitted or crocheted)202581.56%33,790,287
157China851539Welding machines and apparatus; for arc (including plasma arc) welding of metals, other than fully or partly automatic, whether or not capable of cutting202581.49%15,096,029
158Viet Nam090411Spices; pepper (of the genus piper), neither crushed nor ground202581.44%12,028,079
159China841810Refrigerators and freezers; combined refrigerator-freezers, fitted with separate external doors, electric or other202581.43%45,083,421
160China540761Fabrics, woven; containing 85% or more by weight of non-textured polyester filaments202581.37%15,417,074
161China852581Television cameras, digital cameras and video camera recorders; high-speed goods as specified in subheading note 1 to this chapter202581.35%11,452,941
162Indonesia151329Vegetable oils; palm kernel or babassu oil and their fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified202581.31%42,618,273
163China851821Loudspeakers; single, mounted in their enclosures202581.08%19,435,413
164China940171Seats; with metal frames, upholstered, (excluding medical, surgical, dental, veterinary or barber furniture)202581.07%16,189,389
165USA284390Inorganic or organic compounds of precious metals, n.e.c.; amalgams202581.05%86,307,880
166China845611Machine-tools; for working any material by removal of material; operated by laser202580.98%28,457,810
167USA350220Albumins; milk albumin, including concentrates of two or more whey proteins202580.85%11,906,948
168China420292Cases and containers; n.e.c. in heading 4202, with outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials202580.84%80,749,625
169Namibia010229Cattle; live, other than pure-bred breeding animals202580.76%27,319,700
170China701349Glassware of a kind used for table or kitchen purposes (not drinking glasses or of glass-ceramics), of glass n.e.c. in item no. 7013.4202580.61%10,190,070
171China910212Wrist-watches; electrically operated, with or without a stop-watch, (other than those of heading no. 9101) with opto-electronic display only202580.59%20,437,923
172Thailand100630Cereals; rice, semi-milled or wholly milled, whether or not polished or glazed202580.52%462,647,217
173China722830Steel, alloy; bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or extruded202580.45%25,052,832
174China850811Vacuum cleaners, with self-contained electric motor, of a power not exceeding 1,500 W and having a dust bag or other receptacle capacity not exceeding 20L202580.43%20,200,966
175China940490Bedding and similar furnishing articles; n.e.c. in heading no. 9404 (e.g. quilts, eiderdowns, cushions, pouffes and pillows)202580.26%13,786,923
176Belgium180620Chocolate & other food preparations containing cocoa; in blocks, slabs or bars weighing more than 2kg or in liquid, paste, powder, granular or other bulk form in containers or immediate packings, content exceeding 2kg202580.22%26,115,784
177China291736Acids; aromatic polycarboxylic acids; terephthalic acid and its salts202580.21%86,988,445
178Saudi Arabia290531Alcohols; acyclic, diols; ethylene glycol (ethanediol)202580.19%37,134,607

Partner frequency summary:

China: 104 occurrences

USA: 10 occurrences

Eswatini: 5 occurrences

Namibia: 5 occurrences

Saudi Arabia: 5 occurrences

France: 4 occurrences

Zimbabwe: 4 occurrences

Argentina: 3 occurrences

Germany: 3 occurrences

Lesotho: 3 occurrences

Mozambique: 3 occurrences

Switzerland: 3 occurrences

Botswana: 2 occurrences

Brazil: 2 occurrences

India: 2 occurrences

Italy: 2 occurrences

Thailand: 2 occurrences

United Kingdom: 2 occurrences

Viet Nam: 2 occurrences

Angola: 1 occurrence

Australia: 1 occurrence

Belgium: 1 occurrence

Finland: 1 occurrence

Indonesia: 1 occurrence

Ireland: 1 occurrence

Japan: 1 occurrence

Luxembourg: 1 occurrence

Mexico: 1 occurrence

Norway: 1 occurrence

Russian Federation: 1 occurrence

Zambia: 1 occurrence

Legend:

Highlight - the row matches a Danger Zone country and/or a Critical Goods HS code.
ABCBold red partner name - the import source country is flagged in the Danger Zone.
1234Bold lime HS code - the product code is flagged in Critical Goods.