Cutting tools imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of cutting tools by South Africa reached $7.2 million in 2024 (1.6 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 42% on 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 | $7.2M | 1.6K t |
| 2023 | $5.1M | 1.7K t |
| 2022 | $6.4M | 1.5K t |
| 2021 | $6.3M | 1.3K t |
| 2020 | $5.4M | 953 t |
| 2019 | $4.6M | 1.0K t |
| 2018 | $7.0M | 1.0K t |
| 2017 | $6.7M | 1.3K t |
Where South Africa imports cutting tools from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 85% of the value. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+50% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $6.1M | 85% |
| Germany | $374K | 5.2% |
| South Korea | $160K | 2.2% |
| Pakistan | $120K | 1.7% |
| United States | $95K | 1.3% |
| Portugal | $67K | 0.9% |
| Australia | $53K | 0.7% |
| Switzerland | $27K | 0.4% |
| Taiwan | $27K | 0.4% |
| Netherlands | $26K | 0.4% |
Product types under HS 8214
| 8214.20 | Manicure or pedicure sets and instruments: (including nail files) | 44% |
| 8214.90 | Cutlery: hair clippers and mincing knives | 32% |
| 8214.10 | Cutlery: paper knives, letter openers, erasing knives, pencil sharpeners and blades therefore | 24% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8214.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.54 per kg, 47% below the world average of $8.55, 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.
Cutting tools exports from South Africa
Exports of cutting tools by South Africa reached $904 thousand in 2024 (184 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Namibia (33%), Botswana (17%), China (10%). Among the main buyer markets, Canada grew fastest (+134% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $297K | 33% |
| Botswana | $150K | 17% |
| China | $88K | 9.8% |
| Eswatini | $73K | 8.1% |
| Guinea | $48K | 5.3% |
| Lesotho | $33K | 3.7% |
| Zambia | $28K | 3.1% |
| Mozambique | $25K | 2.7% |
| Ethiopia | $22K | 2.5% |
| Canada | $17K | 1.8% |
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 8214: Cutlery; other articles, (e.g. hair clippers, butchers' or kitchen cleavers, choppers and mincing knives, paper knives), manicure or pedicure sets and instruments (including nail files).
Common questions
What is the value of cutting tools imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported cutting tools worth $7.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 40th of 216 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 42% on 2023.
Which countries supply cutting tools to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 85% of the value ($6.1 million), followed by Germany (5%) and South Korea (2%). The top three together account for 92%, out of 48 supplier countries in total. The Netherlands grew fastest among the top ten, up 415% on the year.
What is the average import price of cutting tools per kg?
The average declared import value was about $4.54 per kg in 2024, 47% below the world average of $8.55 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 cutting tools to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $6.7 million in 2017 to $7.2 million in 2024, an increase of 7%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export cutting tools?
Yes. South Africa exported $904 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Botswana and China. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $6.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for cutting tools?
The HS code for cutting tools is heading 8214. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8214.20 (44% of the value) and 8214.90 (32%). It sits in HS chapter 82 (tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal; parts thereof, of base metal). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8214 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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