Alarm system imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of alarm system by South Africa reached $83.3 million in 2024 (1.4 thousand tonnes). Value rose 17% 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 | $83.3M | 1.4K t |
| 2023 | $71.1M | 983 t |
| 2022 | $76.5M | 1.6K t |
| 2021 | $78.7M | 1.3K t |
| 2020 | $55.1M | 852 t |
| 2019 | $79.5M | 1.1K t |
| 2018 | $81.6M | 1.4K t |
| 2017 | $86.4M | 1.2K t |
Where South Africa imports alarm system from
Most of the value came from China (29%), Canada (10%), United Kingdom (10%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 50%. Among the main suppliers, Hong Kong grew fastest (+617% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $24.4M | 29% |
| Canada | $8.7M | 10% |
| United Kingdom | $8.3M | 10% |
| United States | $6.9M | 8.3% |
| Poland | $5.2M | 6.2% |
| Netherlands | $2.8M | 3.3% |
| Germany | $2.6M | 3.1% |
| Japan | $2.5M | 3% |
| Hong Kong | $2.4M | 2.9% |
| Sweden | $2.4M | 2.9% |
Product types under HS 8531
| 8531.90 | Signalling apparatus: parts of the electric, sound or visual apparatus of heading no. 8531 | 35% |
| 8531.10 | Signalling apparatus: electric, sound or visual, burglar or fire alarms and similar, other than those of heading no. 8512 or 8530 | 30% |
| 8531.80 | Signalling apparatus: electric, sound or visual, apparatus n.e.c. in heading no. 8531, excluding those of heading no. 8512 or 8530 | 18% |
| 8531.20 | Signalling apparatus: electric, sound or visual, indicator panels incorporating liquid crystal devices (LCD) or light-emitting diodes (LED)… | 17% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8531.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $59.70 per kg, close to the world average of $72.84.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Alarm system exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $36.1 million of alarm system in 2024 (796 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Ghana (10%), Nigeria (9%), United States (8%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 26%. Among the main buyer markets, Ghana grew fastest (+84% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Ghana | $3.5M | 9.6% |
| Nigeria | $3.1M | 8.6% |
| United States | $2.9M | 7.9% |
| Namibia | $2.8M | 7.7% |
| Australia | $2.7M | 7.6% |
| Botswana | $2.7M | 7.4% |
| DR Congo | $2.4M | 6.5% |
| Zimbabwe | $1.4M | 3.8% |
| Zambia | $1.3M | 3.7% |
| Mozambique | $1.2M | 3.4% |
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 8531: Signalling apparatus; electric sound or visual (e.g. bells, sirens, indicator panels, burglar or fire alarms), excluding those of heading no. 8512 or 8530.
Common questions
What is the value of alarm system imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported alarm system worth $83.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 41st of 222 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 17% on 2023.
Which countries supply alarm system to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 29% of the value ($24.4 million), followed by Canada (10%) and the United Kingdom (10%). The top three together account for 50%, out of 81 supplier countries in total. Hong Kong grew fastest among the top ten, up 617% on the year.
What is the average import price of alarm system per kg?
The average declared import value was about $59.70 per kg in 2024, 18% below the world average of $72.84 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 alarm system to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $86.4 million in 2017 to $83.3 million in 2024, a fall of 4%. The peak was 2017 at $86.4 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export alarm system?
Yes. South Africa exported $36.1 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Ghana, Nigeria and the United States. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $47.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for alarm system?
The HS code for alarm system is heading 8531. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8531.90 (35% of the value) and 8531.10 (30%). It sits in HS chapter 85 (electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers, parts and accessories of such articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8531 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.
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