Bearing imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $202.7 million of bearing in 2024 (18.6 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is close to the 2023 level. 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 | $202.7M | 18.6K t |
| 2023 | $203.2M | 23.8K t |
| 2022 | $216.0M | 31.4K t |
| 2021 | $204.5M | 12.4K t |
| 2020 | $145.0M | 10.9K t |
| 2019 | $195.9M | 12.2K t |
| 2018 | $218.8M | 13.7K t |
| 2017 | $195.1M | 15.9K t |
Where South Africa imports bearing from
Most of the value came from China (31%), United States (14%), Germany (13%).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $62.1M | 31% |
| United States | $28.8M | 14% |
| Germany | $25.9M | 13% |
| Japan | $15.8M | 7.8% |
| Sweden | $8.1M | 4% |
| India | $6.9M | 3.4% |
| Thailand | $6.3M | 3.1% |
| Brazil | $6.3M | 3.1% |
| Romania | $5.4M | 2.7% |
| United Kingdom | $5.0M | 2.5% |
Product types under HS 8482
| 8482.10 | Ball bearings | 32% |
| 8482.20 | Bearings: tapered roller bearings, including cone and tapered roller assemblies | 29% |
| 8482.50 | Bearings: cylindrical roller bearings n.e.c. in heading no. 8482 | 13% |
| 8482.30 | Bearings: spherical roller bearings | 12% |
| 8482.99 | Bearings: parts, (other than balls, needles and rollers) | 7.2% |
| 8482.80 | Bearings: n.e.c. in heading no. 8482, including combined ball/roller | 4.2% |
| 8482.91 | Bearings: parts, balls, needles and rollers | 1.5% |
| 8482.40 | Bearings: needle roller bearings | 1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8482.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $10.92 per kg, close to the world average of $12.56.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Bearing exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $44.7 million of bearing in 2024 (2.1 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Zambia (13%), Mozambique (11%), Namibia (10%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 34%. Among the main buyer markets, Brazil grew fastest (+190% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $6.0M | 13% |
| Mozambique | $4.9M | 11% |
| Namibia | $4.4M | 9.9% |
| Zimbabwe | $4.2M | 9.4% |
| DR Congo | $3.7M | 8.4% |
| Botswana | $3.4M | 7.6% |
| Eswatini | $2.1M | 4.6% |
| United States | $1.9M | 4.3% |
| Brazil | $1.7M | 3.7% |
| Tanzania | $1.2M | 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 8482: Ball or roller bearings.
Common questions
What is the value of bearing imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported bearing worth $202.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 18.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 36th of 223 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 0% on 2023.
Which countries supply bearing to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 31% of the value ($62.1 million), followed by the United States (14%) and Germany (13%). The top three together account for 58%, out of 109 supplier countries in total. Brazil grew fastest among the top ten, up 24% on the year.
What is the average import price of bearing per kg?
The average declared import value was about $10.92 per kg in 2024, 13% below the world average of $12.56 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 bearing to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $195.1 million in 2017 to $202.7 million in 2024, an increase of 4%. The peak was 2018 at $218.8 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export bearing?
Yes. South Africa exported $44.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zambia, Mozambique and Namibia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $157.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for bearing?
The HS code for bearing is heading 8482. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8482.10 (32% of the value) and 8482.20 (29%). 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 8482 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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