Conveyor imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported conveyor worth $129.6 million (13.5 thousand tonnes). That is close to the 2023 level. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 5% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $191.1 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 | $129.6M | 13.5K t |
| 2023 | $132.1M | 15.5K t |
| 2022 | $105.8M | 9.0K t |
| 2021 | $153.7M | 12.1K t |
| 2020 | $166.3M | 27.6K t |
| 2019 | $172.7M | 14.1K t |
| 2018 | $161.1M | 14.5K t |
| 2017 | $191.1M | 19.3K t |
Where South Africa imports conveyor from
Most of the value came from China (36%), Germany (12%), Netherlands (6%). Among the main suppliers, Finland grew fastest (+273% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $47.2M | 36% |
| Germany | $15.4M | 12% |
| Netherlands | $7.4M | 5.7% |
| Sweden | $6.5M | 5% |
| Japan | $6.3M | 4.8% |
| United Kingdom | $4.6M | 3.6% |
| Italy | $4.5M | 3.5% |
| Finland | $3.5M | 2.7% |
| Denmark | $2.9M | 2.2% |
| United States | $2.7M | 2.1% |
Product types under HS 8428
| 8428.90 | Lifting, handling, loading or unloading machinery: n.e.c. in heading no. 8425, 8426, 8427 or 8428 | 41% |
| 8428.39 | Elevators and conveyors: continuous-action, for goods or materials, n.e.c. in item no. 8428.20, 8428.31, 8428.32 or 8428.33 | 26% |
| 8428.33 | Elevators and conveyors: continuous-action, for goods or materials, belt type, n.e.c. in item no. 8428.20 or 8428.31 | 14% |
| 8428.10 | Lifts and skip hoists | 14% |
| 8428.40 | Escalators and moving walkways | 2.5% |
| 8428.32 | Elevators and conveyors: continuous-action, for goods or materials, bucket type, n.e.c. in item no. 8428.20 or 8428.31 | 1.9% |
| 8428.20 | Elevators and conveyors: pneumatic | 1.1% |
| 8428.31 | Elevators and conveyors: continuous-action, for goods and materials, specially designed for underground use, n.e.c. in item no. 8428.20 | 0.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8428.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $9.64 per kg, close to the world average of $10.33.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Conveyor exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported conveyor worth $47.4 million (5.0 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Mozambique (12%), Zimbabwe (11%), Zambia (11%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 34%. Among the main buyer markets, Lesotho grew fastest (+497% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mozambique | $5.7M | 12% |
| Zimbabwe | $5.2M | 11% |
| Zambia | $5.1M | 11% |
| United States | $4.8M | 10% |
| Botswana | $2.4M | 5% |
| DR Congo | $2.2M | 4.6% |
| Namibia | $2.1M | 4.5% |
| Lesotho | $2.1M | 4.5% |
| Australia | $1.8M | 3.9% |
| Chile | $1.7M | 3.6% |
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 8428: Lifting, handling, loading or unloading machinery; n.e.c. in heading no. 8425, 8426 or 8427 (e.g. lifts, escalators, conveyors, teleferics).
Common questions
What is the value of conveyor imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported conveyor worth $129.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 13.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 50th of 221 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 2% on 2023.
Which countries supply conveyor to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 36% of the value ($47.2 million), followed by Germany (12%) and the Netherlands (6%). The top three together account for 54%, out of 66 supplier countries in total. Finland grew fastest among the top ten, up 273% on the year.
What is the average import price of conveyor per kg?
The average declared import value was about $9.64 per kg in 2024, 7% below the world average of $10.33 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 conveyor to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $191.1 million in 2017 to $129.6 million in 2024, a fall of 32%. The peak was 2017 at $191.1 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export conveyor?
Yes. South Africa exported $47.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Zambia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $82.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for conveyor?
The HS code for conveyor is heading 8428. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8428.90 (41% of the value) and 8428.39 (26%). 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 8428 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.
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.