Trade partner
U.S. Imports
$1.3B
August 2026
U.S. Exports
$606.0M
August 2026
Trade deficit
$707.1M
August 2026 · U.S. imports more than it exports
In August 2026 the United States imported $1.3B from South Africa and exported $606.0M to it, across 1,397 imported product categories.
Over the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $11.8B from South Africa and exported $6.6B to it. In August 2026, the U.S. ran a monthly goods trade deficit of $707.1M with South Africa, importing 2.2× as much as it exported. Compared with August 2025, U.S. goods imports from South Africa in August 2026 (preliminary) were 34% higher. U.S. goods imports from South Africa of $1.3B in August 2026 ran 33% above the year-to-date monthly average of $984.8M.
South Africa is one of the most commercially significant US trade partners on the African continent, carrying USCS code 7910, and exports a diverse range of goods including platinum-group metals, ferroalloys, citrus fruit, wine, and automotive components. Platinum and related minerals make South Africa a critical supplier for US catalytic converter and industrial catalyst supply chains, while its agricultural exports — particularly citrus and wine — are subject to USDA APHIS phytosanitary requirements and FDA admissibility review. Trade professionals should monitor South Africa's eligibility status under US preference programs, as that status has been subject to periodic review.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Citrus imports from South Africa must comply with USDA APHIS phytosanitary requirements, including pest risk assessments and inspection at the port of entry. Importers should obtain valid phytosanitary certificates from South African authorities and confirm that the specific fruit variety and origin region are approved for US entry under current APHIS regulations.
South Africa holds some of the world's largest reserves of platinum-group metals and chromium, making it a dominant global supplier of materials essential to automotive catalysts, specialty alloys, and chemical processing. Supply-chain professionals in these sectors closely track South African mining output and logistics conditions given the concentration of sourcing in a single country.
The top U.S. imports from South Africa are Nonmonetary Gold, Semimanufactured Forms (Excluding Powder), Platinum, Unwrought or in Powder Form and Rhodium, Unwrought or in Powder Form, by value in the latest month.
| Rank | Product | Import value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $530.4M | |
| 2 | $189.6M | |
| 3 | $108.5M | |
| 4 | $89.9M | |
| 5 | $88.8M | |
| 6 | $29.6M | |
| 7 | $28.4M | |
| 8 | $27.9M | |
| 9 | US-Origin Articles Exported & Returned Without AdvancementChapter 98 · Special Classification Provisions | $15.0M |
| 10 | $13.2M |
| Rank | Product | Export value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Civilian Aircraft, Engines, Equipment, and PartsChapter 88 · Aircraft, Spacecraft & Parts | $46.1M |
| 2 | $41.9M | |
| 3 | $26.6M | |
| 4 | Low-Value Export Shipments & Canadian Estimated Late ReceiptsChapter 98 · Special Classification Provisions | $24.9M |
| 5 | $23.5M | |
| 6 | $23.4M | |
| 7 | $13.9M | |
| 8 | $13.3M | |
| 9 | $11.7M | |
| 10 | $10.3M |
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Annual data from BEA | 2025
Services Exports
$4.0B
Services Imports
$2.0B