Car radios imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of car radios by South Africa reached $12.3 million in 2024 (158 tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 175% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2018, at $17.9 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 | $12.3M | 158 t |
| 2023 | $4.5M | 30 t |
| 2022 | $3.8M | 32 t |
| 2021 | $4.0M | 29 t |
| 2020 | $5.7M | 46 t |
| 2019 | $8.9M | 76 t |
| 2018 | $17.9M | 148 t |
| 2017 | $8.7M | 54 t |
Where South Africa imports car radios from
One supplier dominates: Spain accounted for 79% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Spain grew fastest (+534% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | $9.7M | 79% |
| China | $1.4M | 12% |
| India | $390K | 3.2% |
| Taiwan | $259K | 2.1% |
| United States | $156K | 1.3% |
| Thailand | $111K | 0.9% |
| Portugal | $45K | 0.4% |
| Czech Republic | $30K | 0.2% |
| Australia | $26K | 0.2% |
| United Kingdom | $22K | 0.2% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $77.64 per kg, 26% below the world average of $105.60, 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.
Car radios exports from South Africa
Exports of car radios by South Africa reached $682 thousand in 2024 (8 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Botswana (36%), Namibia (18%), Bangladesh (11%). Among the main buyer markets, Eswatini grew fastest (+203% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $246K | 36% |
| Namibia | $121K | 18% |
| Bangladesh | $78K | 12% |
| Zambia | $51K | 7.5% |
| Eswatini | $39K | 5.8% |
| Mozambique | $25K | 3.7% |
| Zimbabwe | $24K | 3.5% |
| Singapore | $21K | 3% |
| Lesotho | $16K | 2.3% |
| Kenya | $14K | 2% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa car radios imports (HS 8527.29): 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 8527.29: Radio-broadcast receivers not capable of operating without an external source of power, of a kind used in motor vehicles: not combined with sound recording or reproducing apparatus.
Common questions
What is the value of car radios imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported car radios worth $12.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 158 tonnes. That ranks it 14th of 183 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 175% on 2023.
Which countries supply car radios to South Africa?
Spain was the largest supplier with 79% of the value ($9.7 million), followed by China (12%) and India (3%). The top three together account for 94%, out of 33 supplier countries in total. Spain grew fastest among the top ten, up 534% on the year.
What is the average import price of car radios per kg?
The average declared import value was about $77.64 per kg in 2024, 26% below the world average of $105.60 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of car radios to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $8.7 million in 2017 to $12.3 million in 2024, an increase of 41%. The peak was 2018 at $17.9 million. Over 8 years the average was $8.2 million a year.
Does South Africa also export car radios?
Yes. South Africa exported $682 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Botswana, Namibia and Bangladesh. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $11.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for car radios?
The HS code for car radios is subheading 8527.29. 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 8527 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
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