China (CHN) and South Africa (ZAF) Trade | OEC - The Observatory of Economic Complexity

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China-South Africa In 2020, China exported $14.7B to South Africa. The main products that China exported to South Africa are Broadcasting Equipment ($1.12B), Computers ($784M), and Other Cloth Articles ($456M). During the last 25 years the exports of China to South Africa have increased at an annualized rate of 13.4%, from $640M in 1995 to $14.7B in 2020.

In 2020, China did not export any services to South Africa.

South Africa-China In 2020, South Africa exported $11.9B to China . The main products that South Africa exported to China were Diamonds ($3.18B), Manganese Ore ($1.67B), and Iron Ore ($1.28B). During the last 25 years the exports of South Africa to China have increased at an annualized rate of 14.4%, from $408M in 1995 to $11.9B in 2020.

In 2020, South Africa did not export any services to China.

Comparison In 2020, China ranked 28 in the Economic Complexity Index (ECI 0.96), and 1 in total exports ($2.65T). That same year, South Africa ranked 54 in the Economic Complexity Index (ECI 0.086), and 36 in total exports ($102B).

Latest Trends

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November, 2021

About

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Overview In November 2021 China exported $1.91B and imported $3.08B from South Africa, resulting in a negative trade balance of $1.17B. Between November 2020 and November 2021 the exports of China have increased by $396M (26.1%) from $1.52B to $1.91B, while imports increased by $1.02B (49.7%) from $2.06B to $3.08B.

Trade In November 2021, the top exports of China to South Africa were Telephones ($118M), Computers ($81.8M), Other Furniture ($43.2M), Fake Hair ($42.5M), and Rubber Footwear ($37M). In November 2021 the top imports of China from South Africa were Gold ($834M), Platinum ($502M), Iron Ore ($429M), Diamonds ($369M), and Manganese Ore ($194M).

Origins In November 2021 the exports of China were mainly from Zhejiang Province ($371M), Guangdong Province ($355M), Jiangsu Province ($254M), Shandong Province ($190M), and Shanghai Province ($111M), while imports destinations were mainly Guangdong Province ($867M), Shanghai Province ($619M), Beijing ($479M), Zhejiang Province ($187M), and Fujian Province ($161M).

Growth In November 2021, the increase in China's year-by-year exports to South Africa was explained primarily by an increase in product exports in Fake Hair ($12.1M or 41.6%), Semiconductor Devices ($11.6M or 96.6%), and Knit Sweaters ($10M or 39.4%). In November 2021, the increase in China's year-by-year imports from South Africa was explained primarily by an increase in product imports in Platinum ($48.6M or 48%), Nickel Ore ($18M or 186%), and Ferroalloys ($14.4M or 14.2%).

Latest Trade

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Time Scale

Flow

Depth

Value

EXPORT GROWTH (November 2020 - November 2021): $396M, (26.1%)

IMPORT GROWTH (November 2020 - November 2021): $1.02B, (49.7%)

MAIN EXPORTER (November 2021): Zhejiang Province, $371M

This section shows exports and imports data at subnational level for China. Click any date in the line plot, any subnational region in the geomap or any product to explore the exports or imports behavior of China over time.

To check South Africa and China trade dynamics, check the bilateral page.

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Historical Data

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Bilateral Trade by Products

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Depth

Value

Compare to

Year

In 2020, China exported $14.7B to South Africa. The main products exported from China to South Africa were Broadcasting Equipment ($1.12B), Computers ($784M), and Other Cloth Articles ($456M). During the last 25 years the exports of China to South Africa have increased at an annualized rate of 13.4%, from $640M in 1995 to $14.7B in 2020.

In 2020, South Africa exported $11.9B to China. The main products exported from South Africa to China were Diamonds ($3.18B), Manganese Ore ($1.67B), and Iron Ore ($1.28B). During the last 25 years the exports of South Africa to China have increased at an annualized rate of 14.4%, from $408M in 1995 to $11.9B in 2020.

Market Competitiveness

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Measure

SectionYear

China
Top Destination: United States, $438B

South Africa
Top Destination: China, $11.9B

This map shows whether countries import more from China or South Africa. Each country is colored based on the difference in imports they receive from China and South Africa or the difference in the growth in imports.

In 2019, countries that imported more from China than South Africa were United States ($438B), Hong Kong ($262B), and Japan ($151B).

In 2019, countries that imported more from South Africa than China were Botswana ($3.46B), Namibia ($2.67B), and Zimbabwe ($2.31B).

Comparative Advantage China - South Africa

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Flow

Year

This chart compares trade between China and South Africa by product, considering products traded by both, China and South Africa.

During 2020, China had a large net trade with South Africa in the exports of Machines ($6.17B), Textiles ($1.95B), and Metals ($1.27B).

During 2020, South Africa had a large net trade with China in the exports of Precious Metals ($4.47B), Mineral Products ($4.45B), and Metals ($1.56B).

Tariff Section

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Tariffs

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This section shows import tariffs for products traded between China and South Africa (using the HS6 product classification and the last year reported).

In 2019, the products from China that paid the highest import tariffs to enter South Africa were Vermouth and other flavoured grape wines - pack < 2l (65%)and Vermouth and other flavoured grape wines - pack > 2l (65%).

In 2019, the products from South Africa that paid the highest import tariffs to enter China were Ethyl alcohol and other spirits, denatured (199k%)and Undenatured ethyl alcohol > 80% by volume (108k%).

*The tariffs present between China and South Africa are:
125: General duty rate
125: General duty rate
136: Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatement
136: Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatement

Economic Complexity

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Competitive Landscape

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Year

This visualization show the product space at the HS4 level colored from blue to red. This mean that the more blue a dot/product is, the more China has comparative advantage over South Africa. Similarly, the more red a dot/product is, the more South Africa has comparative advantage over China.

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Latest Trends

About

Latest Trade

Historical Data

Bilateral Trade by Products

Market Competitiveness

Comparative Advantage China - South Africa

Tariff Section

Tariffs

Economic Complexity

Competitive Landscape

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