Air conditioner imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $238.8 million of air conditioner in 2024 (31.6 thousand tonnes). Value rose 36% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $238.8M | 31.6K t |
| 2023 | $175.7M | 12.9K t |
| 2022 | $190.7M | 19.7K t |
| 2021 | $184.2M | 14.9K t |
| 2020 | $154.4M | 13.0K t |
| 2019 | $210.6M | 18.8K t |
| 2018 | $207.6M | 16.8K t |
| 2017 | $187.3M | 15.4K t |
Where South Africa imports air conditioner from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 61% of the value. Among the main suppliers, South Korea grew fastest (+116% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $144.9M | 61% |
| Italy | $19.2M | 8% |
| South Korea | $14.1M | 5.9% |
| Thailand | $11.2M | 4.7% |
| Czech Republic | $8.7M | 3.6% |
| Germany | $5.0M | 2.1% |
| Turkey | $5.0M | 2.1% |
| Japan | $4.6M | 1.9% |
| United States | $4.0M | 1.7% |
| Belgium | $3.5M | 1.5% |
Product types under HS 8415
| 8415.10 | Air conditioning machines: comprising a motor-driven fan and elements for changing the temperature and humidity, of a kind designed to be fixed to a… | 53% |
| 8415.90 | Air conditioning machines: with motor driven fan and elements for temperature control, parts thereof | 27% |
| 8415.82 | Air conditioning machines: containing a motor driven fan, other than window or wall types, incorporating a refrigerating unit | 7.1% |
| 8415.81 | Air conditioning machines: containing a motor driven fan, other than window or wall types, incorporating a refrigerating unit and a valve for… | 5.2% |
| 8415.83 | Air conditioning machines: containing a motor driven fan, other than window or wall types, not incorporating a refrigerating unit | 5.1% |
| 8415.20 | Air conditioning machines: comprising a motor driven fan and elements for changing the temperature and humidity, of a kind used for persons, in motor… | 2.5% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8415.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $7.55 per kg, 24% below the world average of $9.92, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Air conditioner exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported air conditioner worth $56.5 million (3.7 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Germany (24%), Botswana (16%), Namibia (8%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 48%. Among the main buyer markets, Singapore grew fastest (+223% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | $13.4M | 24% |
| Botswana | $9.2M | 16% |
| Namibia | $4.5M | 8% |
| Zambia | $4.0M | 7% |
| Mozambique | $4.0M | 7% |
| Zimbabwe | $3.0M | 5.4% |
| Eswatini | $2.3M | 4% |
| DR Congo | $1.6M | 2.9% |
| Singapore | $1.6M | 2.9% |
| Lesotho | $1.5M | 2.6% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Updated weekly on EximDataX (some markets daily), while public statistics stop at 2024.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 8415: Air conditioning machines; comprising a motor driven fan and elements for changing the temperature and humidity, including those machines in which the humidity cannot be separately regulated.
Common questions
What is the value of air conditioner imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported air conditioner worth $238.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 31.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 48th of 224 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 36% on 2023.
Which countries supply air conditioner to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 61% of the value ($144.9 million), followed by Italy (8%) and South Korea (6%). The top three together account for 75%, out of 76 supplier countries in total. South Korea grew fastest among the top ten, up 116% on the year.
What is the average import price of air conditioner per kg?
The average declared import value was about $7.55 per kg in 2024, 24% below the world average of $9.92 per kg. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so it blends every grade and size; use it as a benchmark, not a quote. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
How have imports of air conditioner to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $187.3 million in 2017 to $238.8 million in 2024, an increase of 27%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export air conditioner?
Yes. South Africa exported $56.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Germany, Botswana and Namibia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $182.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for air conditioner?
The HS code for air conditioner is heading 8415. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8415.10 (53% of the value) and 8415.90 (27%). It sits in HS chapter 84 (machinery and mechanical appliances, boilers, nuclear reactors; parts thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8415 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, updated weekly, so you can see the companies that ship to and from it. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.