Diesel engine imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported diesel engine worth $777.4 million (49.4 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 2%. Value rose 27% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 14% a year on average.
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 | $777.4M | 49.4K t |
| 2023 | $612.4M | 30.7K t |
| 2022 | $460.5M | 24.8K t |
| 2021 | $463.4M | 22.9K t |
| 2020 | $351.8M | 26.1K t |
| 2019 | $502.7M | 23.7K t |
| 2018 | $379.6M | 20.2K t |
| 2017 | $308.2M | 16.6K t |
Where South Africa imports diesel engine from
Most of the value came from Thailand (47%), Austria (12%), United States (9%). Among the main suppliers, Thailand grew fastest (+938% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand | $365.7M | 47% |
| Austria | $95.9M | 12% |
| United States | $68.4M | 8.8% |
| Germany | $53.7M | 6.9% |
| China | $39.5M | 5.1% |
| United Kingdom | $30.6M | 3.9% |
| India | $24.6M | 3.2% |
| Sweden | $20.4M | 2.6% |
| France | $16.0M | 2.1% |
| Zambia | $9.9M | 1.3% |
Product types under HS 8408
| 8408.20 | Engines: compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel or semi-diesel engines), of a kind used for the propulsion of vehicles of… | 75% |
| 8408.90 | Engines: compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel or semi-diesel engines), of a kind used for other than marine propulsion or… | 23% |
| 8408.10 | Engines: for marine propulsion, compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel or semi-diesel engines) | 1.5% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8408.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $15.75 per kg, close to the world average of $15.07.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Diesel engine exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $124.7 million of diesel engine in 2024 (7.3 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Mozambique (17%), Zambia (16%), DR Congo (12%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 45%. Among the main buyer markets, Mozambique grew fastest (+86% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mozambique | $21.1M | 17% |
| Zambia | $20.3M | 16% |
| DR Congo | $14.8M | 12% |
| Botswana | $13.8M | 11% |
| Germany | $10.7M | 8.6% |
| Namibia | $4.6M | 3.7% |
| Turkey | $3.4M | 2.8% |
| United Kingdom | $3.0M | 2.4% |
| Angola | $2.9M | 2.3% |
| United States | $2.8M | 2.3% |
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 8408: Compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel or semi-diesel engines).
Common questions
What is the value of diesel engine imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported diesel engine worth $777.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 49.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 18th of 216 countries worldwide, with 2% of world imports. The value was up 27% on 2023.
Which countries supply diesel engine to South Africa?
Thailand was the largest supplier with 47% of the value ($365.7 million), followed by Austria (12%) and the United States (9%). The top three together account for 68%, out of 56 supplier countries in total. Thailand grew fastest among the top ten, up 938% on the year.
What is the average import price of diesel engine per kg?
The average declared import value was about $15.75 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $15.07 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 diesel engine to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $308.2 million in 2017 to $777.4 million in 2024, an increase of 152%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export diesel engine?
Yes. South Africa exported $124.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Mozambique, Zambia and the DR Congo. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $652.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for diesel engine?
The HS code for diesel engine is heading 8408. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8408.20 (75% of the value) and 8408.90 (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 8408 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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