Computer imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported computer worth $1.96 billion (8.7 thousand tonnes). The value was almost unchanged from 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 | $1.96B | 8.7K t |
| 2023 | $1.94B | 6.9K t |
| 2022 | $2.04B | 9.2K t |
| 2021 | $2.02B | 8.2K t |
| 2020 | $1.45B | 6.3K t |
| 2019 | $1.81B | 8.0K t |
| 2018 | $1.77B | 7.8K t |
| 2017 | $1.57B | 7.8K t |
Where South Africa imports computer from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 59% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Hong Kong grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $1.15B | 59% |
| United States | $143.6M | 7.3% |
| Hong Kong | $104.1M | 5.3% |
| Poland | $93.4M | 4.8% |
| Mexico | $58.6M | 3% |
| Vietnam | $58.5M | 3% |
| Thailand | $49.6M | 2.5% |
| Czech Republic | $44.4M | 2.3% |
| Hungary | $41.1M | 2.1% |
| Taiwan | $38.4M | 2% |
Product types under HS 8471
| 8471.30 | Automatic data processing machines: portable, weighing not more than 10kg, consisting of at least a central processing unit, a keyboard and a display | 53% |
| 8471.50 | Units of automatic data processing machines: processing units other than those of item no. 8471.41 or 8471.49, whether or not containing in the same… | 23% |
| 8471.70 | Units of automatic data processing machines: storage units | 8.1% |
| 8471.49 | Automatic data processing machines: presented in the form of systems, n.e.c. in item no. 8471.30 or 8471.41 | 6.9% |
| 8471.41 | Automatic data processing machines: comprising in the same housing at least a central processing unit and an input and output unit, whether or not… | 2.8% |
| 8471.60 | Units of automatic data processing machines: input or output units, whether or not containing storage units in the same housing | 2.7% |
| 8471.80 | Units of automatic data processing machines: n.e.c. in item no. 8471.50, 8471.60 or 8471.70 | 2.6% |
| 8471.90 | Magnetic or optical readers, machines for transcribing data onto data media in coded form and machines for processing such data, not elsewhere… | 1.6% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8471.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $224.62 per kg, close to the world average of $236.75.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Computer exports from South Africa
Exports of computer by South Africa reached $177.1 million in 2024 (876 tonnes). Most of it went to Botswana (18%), Namibia (13%), Zimbabwe (11%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 42%. Among the main buyer markets, Eswatini grew fastest (+54% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $31.7M | 18% |
| Namibia | $23.1M | 13% |
| Zimbabwe | $18.8M | 11% |
| Zambia | $13.8M | 7.8% |
| Mozambique | $13.5M | 7.6% |
| Eswatini | $9.3M | 5.2% |
| Lesotho | $8.4M | 4.8% |
| Netherlands | $4.9M | 2.7% |
| United Kingdom | $4.8M | 2.7% |
| Angola | $4.3M | 2.4% |
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 8471: Automatic data processing machines and units thereof, magnetic or optical readers, machines for transcribing data onto data media in coded form and machines for processing such data, not elsewhere specified or included.
Common questions
What is the value of computer imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported computer worth $1.96 billion in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 8.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 36th of 225 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 1% on 2023.
Which countries supply computer to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 59% of the value ($1.15 billion), followed by the United States (7%) and Hong Kong (5%). The top three together account for 72%, out of 130 supplier countries in total. Thailand grew fastest among the top ten, up 186% on the year.
What is the average import price of computer per kg?
The average declared import value was about $224.62 per kg in 2024, 5% below the world average of $236.75 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 computer to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $1.57 billion in 2017 to $1.96 billion in 2024, an increase of 25%. The peak was 2022 at $2.04 billion. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export computer?
Yes. South Africa exported $177.1 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $1.78 billion a year.
What is the HS code for computer?
The HS code for computer is heading 8471. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8471.30 (53% of the value) and 8471.50 (23%). 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 8471 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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