Insights / Trade corridors / South Africa → China
South Africa 
China
Figures for goods shipped from Durban to Shanghai.
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Freight, rate and listing changes, once a day.
- Freight · 40ft container—
- USD – ZAR16.476▲ 2.2%Frankfurter · Oct 14, 2026
- Imports from South Africa, 2024$30.60bnReported by ChinaUN Comtrade
- Top product groupPrecious metals and stonesHS 71UN Comtrade
What's traded
The largest product groups China reported importing from South Africa in 2024, by HS chapter.
| # | Product group | HS | Value, 2024 | Share of total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Precious metals and stones | 71 | $13,453m | 44.0% |
| 2 | Ores | 26 | $12,267m | 40.1% |
| 3 | Iron and steel | 72 | $1,901m | 6.2% |
| 4 | Copper | 74 | $1,036m | 3.4% |
| 5 | Fruit and nuts | 08 | $494m | 1.6% |
| 6 | HS 47 | 47 | $264m | 0.9% |
| 7 | HS 51 | 51 | $199m | 0.6% |
| 8 | HS 25 | 25 | $176m | 0.6% |
Shipping this route
Market estimates for one shipment from Durban to Shanghai, by how you ship.
Estimates by Freightos (freightos.com). Prices in US dollars.
Duties and paperwork
Check the official tariff for goods from South Africa into China. A sample duty is shown only where a live UK, US or EU figure exists.
Providers on this route
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Coming up
- 15 Oct – 4 Nov2026
Tomorrow Guangzhou, China - 2–5Dec 2026
In 49 days Shanghai, China - 2–4Mar 2027
In 5 months Cape Town, South Africa
How corridor data works
- Every figure shows its source and the date it was fetched: Freightos, Frankfurter, UN Comtrade and official tariff services.
- Refreshed daily. Where a source returns nothing for a route, the figure is left out rather than guessed.
- Request firm quotes from verified providers before you book or sign.
Indicative figures from public sources, not a quote, an offer or a customs ruling. Trade values are reported by the importing country and can differ from the exporter's figures.