Automatic arc welders imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $4.5 million of automatic arc welders in 2024 (180 tonnes). The value was almost unchanged from 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 12% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2022, at $142.6 million.
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 | $4.5M | 180 t |
| 2023 | $4.5M | 93 t |
| 2022 | $142.6M | 2.9K t |
| 2021 | $15.4M | 377 t |
| 2020 | $12.5M | 287 t |
| 2019 | $13.3M | 312 t |
| 2018 | $6.1M | 137 t |
| 2017 | $11.1M | 275 t |
Where South Africa imports automatic arc welders from
The largest suppliers were Germany (25%), Japan (20%), Sweden (13%). Among the main suppliers, Sweden grew fastest (+219% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | $1.1M | 25% |
| Japan | $919K | 20% |
| Sweden | $608K | 13% |
| China | $509K | 11% |
| Austria | $329K | 7.2% |
| Finland | $236K | 5.2% |
| France | $218K | 4.8% |
| Italy | $102K | 2.2% |
| Slovenia | $101K | 2.2% |
| United States | $93K | 2.1% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $25.27 per kg, close to the world average of $30.22.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Automatic arc welders exports from South Africa
Exports of automatic arc welders by South Africa reached $3.9 million in 2024 (98 tonnes). United States alone took 75% of it.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $2.9M | 75% |
| Germany | $441K | 11% |
| Italy | $82K | 2.1% |
| Zimbabwe | $81K | 2.1% |
| Zambia | $77K | 2% |
| United Arab Emirates | $76K | 2% |
| Czech Republic | $55K | 1.4% |
| Romania | $26K | 0.7% |
| Burkina Faso | $22K | 0.6% |
| Botswana | $22K | 0.6% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa automatic arc welders imports (HS 8515.31): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
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 8515.31: Welding machines and apparatus: for arc (including plasma arc) welding of metals, fully or partly automatic, whether or not capable of cutting.
Common questions
What is the value of automatic arc welders imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported automatic arc welders worth $4.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 180 tonnes. That ranks it 55th of 207 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 1% on 2023.
Which countries supply automatic arc welders to South Africa?
Germany was the largest supplier with 25% of the value ($1.1 million), followed by Japan (20%) and Sweden (13%). The top three together account for 59%, out of 27 supplier countries in total. Sweden grew fastest among the top ten, up 219% on the year.
What is the average import price of automatic arc welders per kg?
The average declared import value was about $25.27 per kg in 2024, 16% below the world average of $30.22 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of automatic arc welders to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $11.1 million in 2017 to $4.5 million in 2024, a fall of 59%. The peak was 2022 at $142.6 million. Over 8 years the average was $26.3 million a year.
Does South Africa also export automatic arc welders?
Yes. South Africa exported $3.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the United States, Germany and Italy. That compares with imports of $4.5 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for automatic arc welders?
The HS code for automatic arc welders is subheading 8515.31. 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 8515 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for South Africa. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World automatic arc welders trade: top importers and exporters
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