Soap, washing preparations and waxes: South Korea exports to South Africa
HS chapter 34 · 비누ㆍ유기계면활성제ㆍ조제 세제ㆍ조제 윤활제ㆍ인조 왁스ㆍ조제 왁스ㆍ광택용이나 연마용 조제품ㆍ양초와 이와 유사한 물품ㆍ조형용 페이스트(paste)ㆍ치과용 왁스와 플라스터(plaster)를 기본 재료로 한 치과용 조제품 · latest month: October 2026
In October 2026, South Korea exported $2.2 million of soap, washing preparations and waxes (HS 34) to South Africa, down 2.8% from September 2026 and up 505.5% from October 2025.
Over the 12 months to October 2026, exports of soap, washing preparations and waxes (HS 34) to South Africa totalled $9.5 million, up 279.0% from the 12 months before ($2.5 million).
South Africa took 0.4% of South Korea's exports of this product over the 12 months to October 2026, ranking 34th of 196 destinations (54th in the 12 months before).
This product made up 1.2% of South Korea's goods exports to South Africa over the same period.
The average export value in October 2026 was $2.62 per kg of net weight, compared with $3.63 per kg in October 2025.
Imports from South Africa in October 2026 were $49,361 (up 5.4% from October 2025), leaving a surplus of $2.2 million for the month.
Last 24 months
Monthly figures
| Month | Exports | vs year earlier | Export weight | Export $/kg | Imports | Import weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | $2.2M | +505.5% | 857 t | $2.62 | $49K | 16.0 t |
| September 2026 | $2.3M | +806.2% | 911 t | $2.54 | $1,224 | 36 kg |
| August 2026 | $1.0M | +509.5% | 413 t | $2.49 | $51K | 16.0 t |
| July 2026 | $2.1M | +664.9% | 725 t | $2.94 | $0 | 0 kg |
| June 2026 | $189K | +310.0% | 56.0 t | $3.37 | $14K | 641 kg |
| May 2026 | $182K | -6.8% | 50.0 t | $3.63 | $52K | 16.0 t |
| April 2026 | $467K | +556.6% | 210 t | $2.22 | $51K | 16.0 t |
| March 2026 | $427K | +163.4% | 191 t | $2.23 | $17 | 0 kg |
| February 2026 | $73K | -75.5% | 18.8 t | $3.88 | $61K | 16.2 t |
| January 2026 | $126K | -40.0% | 32.5 t | $3.88 | $368 | 0 kg |
| December 2025 | $198K | -16.9% | 44.5 t | $4.46 | $16K | 1.1 t |
| November 2025 | $87K | -57.3% | 12.7 t | $6.86 | $2,336 | 19 kg |
| October 2025 | $371K | +221.8% | 102 t | $3.63 | $47K | 16.0 t |
| September 2025 | $255K | +3.7% | 54.3 t | $4.70 | $0 | 0 kg |
| August 2025 | $169K | +7.8% | 54.6 t | $3.09 | $55K | 16.2 t |
| July 2025 | $279K | +397.9% | 53.4 t | $5.22 | $56K | 17.0 t |
| June 2025 | $46K | -91.9% | 3.5 t | $13.32 | $625 | 45 kg |
| May 2025 | $195K | -73.1% | 50.7 t | $3.85 | $7,631 | 297 kg |
| April 2025 | $71K | +541.3% | 18.5 t | $3.84 | $46K | 16.0 t |
| March 2025 | $162K | -82.8% | 60.1 t | $2.70 | $50K | 16.8 t |
| February 2025 | $297K | -11.5% | 192 t | $1.55 | $23K | 617 kg |
| January 2025 | $210K | +321.3% | 176 t | $1.19 | $48K | 16.3 t |
| December 2024 | $239K | +63.2% | 84.7 t | $2.82 | $11K | 600 kg |
| November 2024 | $205K | -70.4% | 58.1 t | $3.52 | $500 | 31 kg |
Exports FOB, imports CIF, US dollars. Weight is net weight. "vs year earlier" compares export value with the same month one year before and is left blank when that month was under $10,000. Source: Korea Customs Service, via data.go.kr.
Largest headings exported to South Africa
| Code | Product | Exports, 12 months | Share | vs 12 months before | October 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3402 | Surfactants, detergents and cleaning preparations | $8.2M | 86.1% | +1,337% | $2.1M |
| 3401 | Soap and skin-washing preparations | $595K | 6.3% | +48.3% | $48K |
| 3403 | Lubricating preparations and preparations, etc. | $415K | 4.4% | -58.7% | $125K |
| 3404 | Artificial waxes and prepared waxes | $158K | 1.7% | -68.0% | $2,702 |
| 3405 | Polishes and creams for footwear, furniture, floors or metal | $141K | 1.5% | +787.8% | $0 |
| 3407 | Modelling pastes, including those put up for children's amusement, etc. | $9,078 | 0.1% | -38.4% | $976 |
| 3406 | Candles, tapers and the like | $112 | 0.0% | – | $0 |
See also: Soap, washing preparations and waxes to all countries · all exports to South Africa