Data readers and transcription machines imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of data readers and transcription machines by South Africa reached $31.0 million in 2024 (641 tonnes). That is 79% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 7% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2023, at $147.9 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 | $31.0M | 641 t |
| 2023 | $147.9M | 509 t |
| 2022 | $39.2M | 141 t |
| 2021 | $51.9M | 213 t |
| 2020 | $35.8M | 168 t |
| 2019 | $56.8M | 263 t |
| 2018 | $62.0M | 288 t |
| 2017 | $51.4M | 259 t |
Where South Africa imports data readers and transcription machines from
Most of the value came from China (23%), Germany (16%), Netherlands (14%). Among the main suppliers, Poland grew fastest (+338% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $7.2M | 23% |
| Germany | $4.8M | 16% |
| Netherlands | $4.4M | 14% |
| Taiwan | $2.5M | 8% |
| Vietnam | $2.3M | 7.3% |
| United States | $1.9M | 6.1% |
| Mexico | $929K | 3% |
| Poland | $739K | 2.4% |
| Ireland | $635K | 2.1% |
| United Kingdom | $625K | 2% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $48.31 per kg, 68% below the world average of $152.76, 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.
Data readers and transcription machines exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported data readers and transcription machines worth $17.1 million (82 tonnes). Most of it went to Namibia (14%), Mozambique (9%), Germany (9%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 32%. Among the main buyer markets, Australia grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $2.4M | 14% |
| Mozambique | $1.6M | 9.1% |
| Germany | $1.5M | 8.7% |
| Australia | $1.3M | 7.6% |
| Zambia | $1.2M | 7.1% |
| Eswatini | $877K | 5.1% |
| Botswana | $808K | 4.7% |
| Zimbabwe | $746K | 4.4% |
| Lesotho | $666K | 3.9% |
| DR Congo | $555K | 3.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa data readers and transcription machines imports (HS 8471.90): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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.
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 8471.90: 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 data readers and transcription machines imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported data readers and transcription machines worth $31.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 641 tonnes. That ranks it 44th of 220 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 79% on 2023.
Which countries supply data readers and transcription machines to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 23% of the value ($7.2 million), followed by Germany (16%) and the Netherlands (14%). The top three together account for 53%, out of 75 supplier countries in total. Poland grew fastest among the top ten, up 338% on the year.
What is the average import price of data readers and transcription machines per kg?
The average declared import value was about $48.31 per kg in 2024, 68% below the world average of $152.76 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of data readers and transcription machines to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $51.4 million in 2017 to $31.0 million in 2024, a fall of 40%. The peak was 2023 at $147.9 million. Over 8 years the average was $59.5 million a year.
Does South Africa also export data readers and transcription machines?
Yes. South Africa exported $17.1 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Mozambique and Germany. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $13.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for data readers and transcription machines?
The HS code for data readers and transcription machines is subheading 8471.90. 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?
For South Africa, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World data readers and transcription machines trade: top importers and exporters
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.