Capacitor imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $23.3 million of capacitor in 2024 (17.1 thousand tonnes). That is 19% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2018, at $34.5 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 | $23.3M | 17.1K t |
| 2023 | $28.8M | 2.4K t |
| 2022 | $29.4M | 22.4K t |
| 2021 | $26.2M | 15.4K t |
| 2020 | $21.4M | 3.1K t |
| 2019 | $28.5M | 3.1K t |
| 2018 | $34.5M | 3.6K t |
| 2017 | $28.5M | 1.1K t |
Where South Africa imports capacitor from
The largest suppliers were China (32%), Germany (8%), Spain (8%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 48%. Among the main suppliers, Australia grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $7.5M | 32% |
| Germany | $1.9M | 8.4% |
| Spain | $1.8M | 7.8% |
| El Salvador | $1.7M | 7.5% |
| United States | $1.3M | 5.4% |
| Japan | $1.2M | 5.3% |
| Mexico | $1.1M | 4.6% |
| Taiwan | $721K | 3.1% |
| India | $676K | 2.9% |
| Australia | $572K | 2.5% |
Product types under HS 8532
| 8532.21 | Electrical capacitors: fixed, tantalum | 20% |
| 8532.24 | Electrical capacitors: fixed, ceramic dielectric, multilayer | 20% |
| 8532.29 | Electrical capacitors: fixed, n.e.c. in heading no. 8532 | 18% |
| 8532.25 | Electrical capacitors: fixed, dielectric of paper or plastics | 16% |
| 8532.10 | Electrical capacitors: fixed, designed for use in 50/60 Hz circuits and having a reactive power handling capacity of not less than 0.5 kvar (power… | 14% |
| 8532.22 | Electrical capacitors: fixed, aluminium electrolytic | 7.4% |
| 8532.90 | Electrical capacitors: parts of the capacitors of heading no. 8532 | 3.4% |
| 8532.30 | Electrical capacitors: variable or adjustable (pre-set) capacitors | 1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8532.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.36 per kg, 98% below the world average of $64.04, 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.
Capacitor exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported capacitor worth $3.1 million (101 tonnes). Most of it went to Zimbabwe (17%), United Arab Emirates (16%), Vietnam (15%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 49%. Among the main buyer markets, United States grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $536K | 17% |
| United Arab Emirates | $488K | 16% |
| Vietnam | $477K | 15% |
| Australia | $269K | 8.7% |
| Mozambique | $202K | 6.5% |
| DR Congo | $199K | 6.4% |
| United States | $148K | 4.8% |
| Brazil | $104K | 3.4% |
| Namibia | $100K | 3.2% |
| Zambia | $94K | 3.1% |
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 8532: Electrical capacitors; fixed, variable or adjustable (pre-set).
Common questions
What is the value of capacitor imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported capacitor worth $23.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 17.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 53rd of 211 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 19% on 2023.
Which countries supply capacitor to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 32% of the value ($7.5 million), followed by Germany (8%) and Spain (8%). The top three together account for 48%, out of 70 supplier countries in total. Spain grew fastest among the top ten, up 239% on the year.
What is the average import price of capacitor per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.36 per kg in 2024, 98% below the world average of $64.04 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 capacitor to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $28.5 million in 2017 to $23.3 million in 2024, a fall of 18%. The peak was 2018 at $34.5 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export capacitor?
Yes. South Africa exported $3.1 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zimbabwe, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $20.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for capacitor?
The HS code for capacitor is heading 8532. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8532.21 (20% of the value) and 8532.24 (20%). 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 8532 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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