Circuit breakers imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $76.2 million of circuit breakers in 2024 (2.8 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 4% 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 | $76.2M | 2.8K t |
| 2023 | $73.4M | 3.0K t |
| 2022 | $76.2M | 2.9K t |
| 2021 | $72.8M | 3.0K t |
| 2020 | $57.7M | 3.2K t |
| 2019 | $59.7M | 2.8K t |
| 2018 | $65.2M | 2.8K t |
| 2017 | $59.8M | 2.6K t |
Where South Africa imports circuit breakers from
Most of the value came from Lesotho (42%), China (12%), Italy (12%).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Lesotho | $32.3M | 42% |
| China | $9.5M | 12% |
| Italy | $8.9M | 12% |
| France | $4.8M | 6.3% |
| Germany | $3.3M | 4.3% |
| India | $2.8M | 3.7% |
| Singapore | $2.7M | 3.5% |
| Czech Republic | $2.4M | 3.2% |
| Japan | $2.4M | 3.1% |
| Poland | $1.3M | 1.7% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $27.02 per kg, close to the world average of $29.28.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Circuit breakers exports from South Africa
Exports of circuit breakers by South Africa reached $35.8 million in 2024 (1.1 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to United States (30%), Botswana (11%), Sweden (10%). Among the main buyer markets, Brazil grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $10.6M | 30% |
| Botswana | $3.9M | 11% |
| Sweden | $3.4M | 9.6% |
| Namibia | $2.7M | 7.6% |
| Lesotho | $2.0M | 5.5% |
| Hong Kong | $1.5M | 4.2% |
| Zimbabwe | $1.1M | 3% |
| Australia | $1.0M | 2.9% |
| DR Congo | $1.0M | 2.8% |
| Brazil | $937K | 2.6% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa circuit breakers imports (HS 8536.20): 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 8536.20: Electrical apparatus: automatic circuit breakers, for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts.
Common questions
What is the value of circuit breakers imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported circuit breakers worth $76.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 33rd of 222 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 4% on 2023.
Which countries supply circuit breakers to South Africa?
Lesotho was the largest supplier with 42% of the value ($32.3 million), followed by China (12%) and Italy (12%). The top three together account for 66%, out of 80 supplier countries in total. Lesotho grew fastest among the top ten, up 20% on the year.
What is the average import price of circuit breakers per kg?
The average declared import value was about $27.02 per kg in 2024, 8% below the world average of $29.28 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of circuit breakers to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $59.8 million in 2017 to $76.2 million in 2024, an increase of 27%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $67.6 million a year.
Does South Africa also export circuit breakers?
Yes. South Africa exported $35.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the United States, Botswana and Sweden. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $40.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for circuit breakers?
The HS code for circuit breakers is subheading 8536.20. 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 8536 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.
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