Calculator imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of calculator by South Africa reached $74.1 million in 2024 (1.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 19% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $116.3 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 | $74.1M | 1.3K t |
| 2023 | $91.2M | 831 t |
| 2022 | $116.3M | 1.0K t |
| 2021 | $71.9M | 767 t |
| 2020 | $56.1M | 654 t |
| 2019 | $53.0M | 703 t |
| 2018 | $59.3M | 786 t |
| 2017 | $55.9M | 901 t |
Where South Africa imports calculator from
China alone supplied 65% of it. Among the main suppliers, Hong Kong grew fastest (+56% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $48.1M | 65% |
| Thailand | $7.7M | 10% |
| Hong Kong | $5.4M | 7.3% |
| Vietnam | $3.2M | 4.4% |
| Taiwan | $3.1M | 4.1% |
| Germany | $1.1M | 1.5% |
| United States | $931K | 1.3% |
| Indonesia | $907K | 1.2% |
| Italy | $901K | 1.2% |
| Malaysia | $696K | 0.9% |
Product types under HS 8470
| 8470.50 | Cash registers | 72% |
| 8470.10 | Calculating machines: electronic calculators capable of operation without an external source of electric power and pocket-size data recording… | 13% |
| 8470.90 | Machines incorporating a calculating device: n.e.c. in heading no. 8470 | 12% |
| 8470.29 | Calculating machines: electronic, (not incorporating a printing device), needing an external power source | 2.8% |
| 8470.21 | Calculating machines: electronic, incorporating a printing device, needing an external source of power | 0.2% |
| 8470.30 | Calculating machines: non-electronic | 0.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8470.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $56.95 per kg, close to the world average of $65.84.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Calculator exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $11.7 million of calculator in 2024 (165 tonnes). Most of it went to Netherlands (19%), Botswana (17%), Zimbabwe (12%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 48%. Among the main buyer markets, DR Congo grew fastest (+778% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | $2.2M | 19% |
| Botswana | $2.0M | 17% |
| Zimbabwe | $1.4M | 12% |
| Zambia | $1.1M | 9.3% |
| Namibia | $864K | 7.4% |
| Germany | $839K | 7.2% |
| Eswatini | $444K | 3.8% |
| Australia | $397K | 3.4% |
| DR Congo | $356K | 3.1% |
| Mozambique | $331K | 2.8% |
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 8470: Calculating machines and pocket-size data recording, reproducing and displaying machines with calculating functions; accounting machines, postage-franking machines, ticket-issuing machines and similar, incorporating a calculating device; cash registers.
Common questions
What is the value of calculator imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported calculator worth $74.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 24th of 217 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 19% on 2023.
Which countries supply calculator to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 65% of the value ($48.1 million), followed by Thailand (10%) and Hong Kong (7%). The top three together account for 83%, out of 57 supplier countries in total. The United States grew fastest among the top ten, up 546% on the year.
What is the average import price of calculator per kg?
The average declared import value was about $56.95 per kg in 2024, 14% below the world average of $65.84 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 calculator to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $55.9 million in 2017 to $74.1 million in 2024, an increase of 32%. The peak was 2022 at $116.3 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export calculator?
Yes. South Africa exported $11.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the Netherlands, Botswana and Zimbabwe. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $62.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for calculator?
The HS code for calculator is heading 8470. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8470.50 (72% of the value) and 8470.10 (13%). 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 8470 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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