Carbon brushes imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of carbon brushes by South Africa reached $59.5 million in 2024 (17.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 15% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2018, at $193.7 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 | $59.5M | 17.3K t |
| 2023 | $51.8M | 12.0K t |
| 2022 | $89.4M | 18.7K t |
| 2021 | $77.0M | 24.3K t |
| 2020 | $55.5M | 15.4K t |
| 2019 | $114.1M | 19.2K t |
| 2018 | $193.7M | 19.7K t |
| 2017 | $66.3M | 20.1K t |
Where South Africa imports carbon brushes from
Most of the value came from China (46%), France (10%), India (10%). Among the main suppliers, Japan grew fastest (+64% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $27.7M | 47% |
| France | $6.1M | 10% |
| India | $5.7M | 9.5% |
| Mexico | $5.2M | 8.8% |
| Spain | $5.0M | 8.4% |
| Poland | $2.5M | 4.1% |
| Japan | $2.1M | 3.5% |
| United States | $1.6M | 2.7% |
| Canada | $1.0M | 1.7% |
| Germany | $798K | 1.3% |
Product types under HS 8545
| 8545.11 | Carbon electrodes: with or without metal, of a kind used for furnaces | 81% |
| 8545.19 | Carbon electrodes: with or without metal, of a kind used for other than furnaces | 11% |
| 8545.20 | Carbon brushes: with or without metal, used for electrical purposes | 5.6% |
| 8545.90 | Carbon: lamp carbons, battery carbons and other articles of graphite or other carbon, with or without metal, of a kind used for electrical purposes | 1.9% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8545.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.45 per kg, 78% above the world average of $1.94. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Carbon brushes exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $5.6 million of carbon brushes in 2024 (202 tonnes). Most of it went to Mozambique (45%), Zambia (13%), Zimbabwe (6%). Among the main buyer markets, Zambia grew fastest (+90% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mozambique | $2.5M | 45% |
| Zambia | $712K | 13% |
| Zimbabwe | $359K | 6.5% |
| Botswana | $339K | 6.1% |
| Namibia | $337K | 6.1% |
| Ghana | $210K | 3.8% |
| DR Congo | $182K | 3.3% |
| Tanzania | $114K | 2.1% |
| Sierra Leone | $96K | 1.7% |
| Eswatini | $75K | 1.4% |
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 8545: Carbon electrodes, carbon brushes, lamp carbons, battery carbons and other articles of graphite or other carbon; with or without metal, of a kind used for electrical purposes.
Common questions
What is the value of carbon brushes imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported carbon brushes worth $59.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 17.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 27th of 210 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 15% on 2023.
Which countries supply carbon brushes to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 46% of the value ($27.7 million), followed by France (10%) and India (10%). The top three together account for 66%, out of 53 supplier countries in total. Canada grew fastest among the top ten, up 372% on the year.
What is the average import price of carbon brushes per kg?
The average declared import value was about $3.45 per kg in 2024, 78% above the world average of $1.94 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 carbon brushes to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $66.3 million in 2017 to $59.5 million in 2024, a fall of 10%. The peak was 2018 at $193.7 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export carbon brushes?
Yes. South Africa exported $5.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $54.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for carbon brushes?
The HS code for carbon brushes is heading 8545. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8545.11 (81% of the value) and 8545.19 (11%). 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 8545 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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