Brass ingots exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $28.9 million of brass ingots in 2024 (6.6 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 2%. That is 49% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 15% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2023, at $56.7 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $28.9M | 6.6K t |
| 2023 | $56.7M | 10.1K t |
| 2022 | $34.4M | 6.0K t |
| 2021 | $40.0M | 6.4K t |
| 2020 | $17.5M | 3.0K t |
| 2019 | $1.4M | 212 t |
| 2018 | $11.6M | 1.6K t |
| 2017 | $11.1M | 1.8K t |
Where South Africa exports brass ingots to
China alone took 100% of it.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $28.9M | 100% |
| Germany | $15K | 0.1% |
| Malawi | $8K | 0% |
| Canada | $8K | 0% |
| Namibia | $2K | 0% |
| Eswatini | $0K | 0% |
| Mozambique | $0K | 0% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.41 per kg, 36% below the world average of $6.87, 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.
Brass ingots imports to South Africa
Imports of brass ingots by South Africa reached $811 thousand in 2024 (462 tonnes). One supplier dominates: Zambia accounted for 69% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Zambia grew fastest (+275% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $561K | 69% |
| DR Congo | $135K | 17% |
| Zimbabwe | $82K | 10% |
| Italy | $17K | 2.1% |
| Indonesia | $5K | 0.6% |
| Germany | $4K | 0.5% |
| India | $2K | 0.3% |
| Switzerland | $1K | 0.2% |
| Namibia | $1K | 0.1% |
| Denmark | $1K | 0.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa brass ingots exports (HS 7403.21): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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.
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 7403.21: Copper: copper-zinc base alloys (brass) unwrought.
Common questions
What is the value of brass ingots exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported brass ingots worth $28.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 6.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 15th of 119 countries worldwide, with 2% of world exports. The value was down 49% on 2023.
Which countries buy brass ingots from South Africa?
China was the largest buyer with 100% of the value ($28.9 million), followed by Germany (0%) and Malawi (0%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 7 buyer countries in total. Namibia grew fastest among the top ten, up 356% on the year.
What is the average export price of brass ingots per kg?
The average declared export value was about $4.41 per kg in 2024, 36% below the world average of $6.87 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have exports of brass ingots from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $11.1 million in 2017 to $28.9 million in 2024, an increase of 161%. The peak was 2023 at $56.7 million. Over 8 years the average was $25.2 million a year.
Does South Africa also import brass ingots?
Yes. South Africa imported $811 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Zambia, the DR Congo and Zimbabwe. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $28.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for brass ingots?
The HS code for brass ingots is subheading 7403.21. It sits in HS chapter 74 (copper and articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7403 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For South Africa, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
More trade data for South Africa
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.