Electric appliance imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported electric appliance worth $41.6 million (5.4 thousand tonnes). Value rose 48% 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 | $41.6M | 5.4K t |
| 2023 | $28.2M | 1.5K t |
| 2022 | $43.1M | 2.6K t |
| 2021 | $49.7M | 3.2K t |
| 2020 | $34.9M | 2.1K t |
| 2019 | $37.9M | 2.6K t |
| 2018 | $37.8M | 2.3K t |
| 2017 | $33.2M | 2.3K t |
Where South Africa imports electric appliance from
China alone supplied 76% of it. Among the main suppliers, Germany grew fastest (+100% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $31.8M | 76% |
| Germany | $2.9M | 7.1% |
| Hungary | $2.1M | 5.1% |
| United States | $851K | 2.1% |
| France | $774K | 1.9% |
| Italy | $669K | 1.6% |
| Romania | $506K | 1.2% |
| Brazil | $368K | 0.9% |
| South Korea | $316K | 0.8% |
| Slovenia | $277K | 0.7% |
Product types under HS 8509
| 8509.40 | Electro-mechanical domestic appliances: food grinders and mixers, fruit or vegetable juice extractors, with self-contained electric motor | 64% |
| 8509.80 | Electro-mechanical domestic appliances: with self-contained electric motor, other than vacuum cleaners of heading 85.08, n.e.c. in heading no. 8509 | 35% |
| 8509.90 | Electro-mechanical domestic appliances: parts for the appliances of heading no. 8509 | 1.6% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8509.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $7.72 per kg, 49% below the world average of $15.11, 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.
Electric appliance exports from South Africa
Exports of electric appliance by South Africa reached $5.4 million in 2024 (415 tonnes). Most of it went to Namibia (27%), Botswana (15%), Zambia (8%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 50%. Among the main buyer markets, DR Congo grew fastest (+95% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $1.4M | 27% |
| Botswana | $823K | 15% |
| Zambia | $442K | 8.2% |
| DR Congo | $404K | 7.5% |
| Libya | $370K | 6.8% |
| Eswatini | $361K | 6.7% |
| Mozambique | $209K | 3.9% |
| Lesotho | $197K | 3.6% |
| Morocco | $168K | 3.1% |
| Zimbabwe | $156K | 2.9% |
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 8509: Electro-mechanical domestic appliances; with self-contained electric motor, other than vacuum cleaners of heading 85.08..
Common questions
What is the value of electric appliance imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported electric appliance worth $41.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 5.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 57th of 222 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 48% on 2023.
Which countries supply electric appliance to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 76% of the value ($31.8 million), followed by Germany (7%) and Hungary (5%). The top three together account for 88%, out of 61 supplier countries in total. Slovenia grew fastest among the top ten, up 110% on the year.
What is the average import price of electric appliance per kg?
The average declared import value was about $7.72 per kg in 2024, 49% below the world average of $15.11 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 electric appliance to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $33.2 million in 2017 to $41.6 million in 2024, an increase of 25%. The peak was 2021 at $49.7 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export electric appliance?
Yes. South Africa exported $5.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Botswana and Zambia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $36.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for electric appliance?
The HS code for electric appliance is heading 8509. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8509.40 (64% of the value) and 8509.80 (35%). It sits in HS chapter 85 (electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers, parts and accessories of such articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8509 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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