Plastics and articles thereof: South Korea exports to South Africa
HS chapter 39 · 플라스틱과 그 제품 · latest month: October 2026
In October 2026, South Korea exported $3.9 million of plastics and articles thereof (HS 39) to South Africa, down 22.9% from September 2026 and up 81.2% from October 2025.
Over the 12 months to October 2026, exports of plastics and articles thereof (HS 39) to South Africa totalled $60.3 million, up 8.7% from the 12 months before ($55.5 million).
South Africa took 0.2% of South Korea's exports of this product over the 12 months to October 2026, ranking 49th of 209 destinations (50th in the 12 months before).
This product made up 7.4% of South Korea's goods exports to South Africa over the same period.
The average export value in October 2026 was $2.73 per kg of net weight, compared with $1.96 per kg in October 2025.
Last 24 months
Monthly figures
| Month | Exports | vs year earlier | Export weight | Export $/kg | Imports | Import weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | $3.9M | +81.2% | 1,430 t | $2.73 | $6,013 | 26 kg |
| September 2026 | $5.1M | +25.7% | 2,031 t | $2.49 | $13K | 115 kg |
| August 2026 | $5.5M | +5.2% | 2,499 t | $2.20 | $2,851 | 1.9 t |
| July 2026 | $7.2M | +67.7% | 4,279 t | $1.68 | $27K | 723 kg |
| June 2026 | $7.8M | +29.9% | 4,005 t | $1.96 | $3,851 | 15 kg |
| May 2026 | $4.9M | -10.7% | 2,125 t | $2.32 | $5,251 | 4.3 t |
| April 2026 | $5.9M | +1.9% | 2,898 t | $2.05 | $19K | 501 kg |
| March 2026 | $4.8M | +8.4% | 3,024 t | $1.58 | $8,808 | 121 kg |
| February 2026 | $3.5M | -20.5% | 1,740 t | $1.99 | $1,309 | 7 kg |
| January 2026 | $4.0M | +9.9% | 2,170 t | $1.84 | $34K | 11.7 t |
| December 2025 | $4.2M | -4.1% | 2,531 t | $1.67 | $1,168 | 15 kg |
| November 2025 | $3.5M | -37.4% | 2,211 t | $1.60 | $20K | 2.7 t |
| October 2025 | $2.2M | -38.5% | 1,100 t | $1.96 | $1,421 | 10 kg |
| September 2025 | $4.0M | -16.6% | 2,280 t | $1.77 | $12K | 164 kg |
| August 2025 | $5.2M | -3.5% | 2,572 t | $2.03 | $11K | 2.3 t |
| July 2025 | $4.3M | -33.6% | 2,040 t | $2.10 | $11K | 176 kg |
| June 2025 | $6.0M | -19.7% | 3,332 t | $1.81 | $11K | 207 kg |
| May 2025 | $5.5M | -22.3% | 2,957 t | $1.86 | $7,351 | 2.2 t |
| April 2025 | $5.8M | -26.1% | 2,809 t | $2.07 | $6,123 | 92 kg |
| March 2025 | $4.4M | -34.5% | 2,456 t | $1.79 | $6,177 | 55 kg |
| February 2025 | $4.4M | -42.5% | 2,417 t | $1.80 | $6,006 | 15 kg |
| January 2025 | $3.6M | -48.2% | 1,469 t | $2.47 | $75K | 36.0 t |
| December 2024 | $4.4M | -51.7% | 2,354 t | $1.87 | $3,759 | 68 kg |
| November 2024 | $5.7M | -5.0% | 3,066 t | $1.84 | $31K | 7.6 t |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3901 | Polymers of ethylene, in primary forms | $11.4M | 18.9% | +25.2% | $149K |
| 3902 | Polymers of propylene, in primary forms | $10.6M | 17.6% | +2.9% | $451K |
| 3907 | Polyethers, epoxide resins and polyesters, in primary forms | $6.2M | 10.2% | +29.7% | $564K |
| 3903 | Polymers of styrene, in primary forms | $5.5M | 9.1% | +82.8% | $158K |
| 3905 | Polymers of vinyl acetate or of other vinyl esters, in primary forms, etc. | $3.7M | 6.1% | -30.2% | $190K |
| 3923 | Plastic packaging and closures | $3.5M | 5.8% | -33.5% | $467K |
| 3906 | Acrylic polymers in primary forms | $3.4M | 5.6% | -22.4% | $310K |
| 3919 | Self-adhesive plates, sheets and film of plastics | $3.3M | 5.5% | -5.5% | $181K |
| 3920 | Plates, sheets and film of plastics, not reinforced | $3.0M | 5.0% | +44.4% | $358K |
| 3904 | Polymers of vinyl chloride or of other halogenated olefins, in primary forms | $2.3M | 3.9% | +186.9% | $108K |
| 3909 | Amino-resins, phenolic resins and polyurethanes, in primary forms | $2.2M | 3.6% | -9.8% | $605K |
| 3926 | Other articles of plastics | $1.3M | 2.1% | -9.6% | $73K |
| 3911 | Petroleum resins, polysulphones and other polymers, in primary forms | $1.2M | 2.1% | +24.1% | $9,458 |
| 3921 | Other plates, sheets and film of plastics | $719K | 1.2% | +2.8% | $26K |
| 3925 | Builders' ware of plastics, not elsewhere specified or included | $655K | 1.1% | +6.1% | $76K |
| 3924 | Plastic tableware, kitchenware and household articles | $545K | 0.9% | +961.7% | $143K |
| 3918 | Plastic floor, wall and ceiling coverings | $354K | 0.6% | -16.1% | $0 |
| 3912 | Cellulose and its chemical derivatives, in primary forms | $204K | 0.3% | +8.8% | $0 |
| 3908 | Polyamides in primary forms | $149K | 0.2% | +45.0% | $16K |
| 3916 | Plastic monofilament, rods, sticks and profile shapes | $53K | 0.1% | -39.4% | $0 |
See also: Plastics and articles thereof to all countries · all exports to South Africa