Building hardware imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported building hardware worth $37.7 million (11.6 thousand tonnes). That is 7% more than in 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 | $37.7M | 11.6K t |
| 2023 | $35.4M | 9.3K t |
| 2022 | $40.6M | 10.4K t |
| 2021 | $46.2M | 11.9K t |
| 2020 | $31.7M | 9.2K t |
| 2019 | $33.3M | 8.5K t |
| 2018 | $37.4M | 9.1K t |
| 2017 | $34.2M | 8.2K t |
Where South Africa imports building hardware from
China alone supplied 74% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $27.8M | 74% |
| India | $4.9M | 13% |
| Taiwan | $1.1M | 3% |
| Germany | $912K | 2.4% |
| United Kingdom | $881K | 2.3% |
| Italy | $823K | 2.2% |
| Hong Kong | $258K | 0.7% |
| Belgium | $201K | 0.5% |
| United States | $182K | 0.5% |
| Greece | $67K | 0.2% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.25 per kg, 57% below the world average of $7.55, 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.
Building hardware exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported building hardware worth $6.6 million (1.4 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Botswana (20%), Namibia (20%), Zambia (9%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 50%. Among the main buyer markets, Australia grew fastest (+387% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $1.3M | 20% |
| Namibia | $1.3M | 20% |
| Zambia | $614K | 9.3% |
| Eswatini | $527K | 8% |
| Australia | $451K | 6.8% |
| Zimbabwe | $439K | 6.7% |
| Lesotho | $347K | 5.3% |
| Mozambique | $321K | 4.9% |
| DR Congo | $188K | 2.9% |
| Malawi | $181K | 2.7% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa building hardware imports (HS 8302.41): 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 8302.41: Mountings, fittings and similar articles: of base metal, suitable for buildings.
Common questions
What is the value of building hardware imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported building hardware worth $37.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 11.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 47th of 221 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 7% on 2023.
Which countries supply building hardware to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 74% of the value ($27.8 million), followed by India (13%) and Taiwan (3%). The top three together account for 90%, out of 63 supplier countries in total. Hong Kong grew fastest among the top ten, up 77% on the year.
What is the average import price of building hardware per kg?
The average declared import value was about $3.25 per kg in 2024, 57% below the world average of $7.55 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of building hardware to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $34.2 million in 2017 to $37.7 million in 2024, an increase of 10%. The peak was 2021 at $46.2 million. Over 8 years the average was $37.0 million a year.
Does South Africa also export building hardware?
Yes. South Africa exported $6.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Botswana, Namibia and Zambia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $31.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for building hardware?
The HS code for building hardware is subheading 8302.41. It sits in HS chapter 83 (metal; miscellaneous products of base metal). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8302 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.
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