Electric motor imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $325.5 million of electric motor in 2024 (43.6 thousand tonnes). That is 4% less than in 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 | $325.5M | 43.6K t |
| 2023 | $337.6M | 34.0K t |
| 2022 | $310.1M | 40.0K t |
| 2021 | $265.7M | 54.4K t |
| 2020 | $198.5M | 22.5K t |
| 2019 | $223.5M | 19.9K t |
| 2018 | $227.6M | 16.5K t |
| 2017 | $267.9M | 30.8K t |
Where South Africa imports electric motor from
The largest suppliers were China (42%), Germany (13%), United States (10%). Among the main suppliers, Mexico grew fastest (+430% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $138.0M | 42% |
| Germany | $41.6M | 13% |
| United States | $31.4M | 9.7% |
| Brazil | $14.8M | 4.6% |
| India | $11.2M | 3.4% |
| Italy | $10.7M | 3.3% |
| Mexico | $10.3M | 3.2% |
| Indonesia | $6.8M | 2.1% |
| United Kingdom | $6.2M | 1.9% |
| Japan | $4.4M | 1.3% |
Product types under HS 8501
| 8501.31 | Electric motors and generators: DC, of an output not exceeding 750W | 25% |
| 8501.52 | Electric motors: AC motors, multi-phase, of an output exceeding 750W but not exceeding 75kW | 17% |
| 8501.53 | Electric motors: AC motors, multi-phase, of an output exceeding 75kW | 12% |
| 8501.64 | Electric generators: AC generators, (alternators), of an output exceeding 750kVA | 10% |
| 8501.10 | Electric motors: of an output not exceeding 37.5W | 8% |
| 8501.40 | Electric motors: AC motors, single-phase | 7.2% |
| 8501.32 | Electric motors and generators: DC, of an output exceeding 750W but not exceeding 75kW | 4.8% |
| 8501.51 | Electric motors: AC motors, multi-phase, of an output not exceeding 750W | 4.4% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8501.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $7.47 per kg, 44% below the world average of $13.41, 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 motor exports from South Africa
Exports of electric motor by South Africa reached $90.0 million in 2024 (5.1 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were United States (11%), Botswana (11%), Zambia (10%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 33%. Among the main buyer markets, United States grew fastest (+98% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $10.3M | 11% |
| Botswana | $10.1M | 11% |
| Zambia | $8.8M | 9.8% |
| Namibia | $8.1M | 9% |
| Zimbabwe | $7.7M | 8.5% |
| DR Congo | $6.8M | 7.6% |
| Mozambique | $6.7M | 7.5% |
| Lesotho | $3.0M | 3.4% |
| Angola | $2.9M | 3.2% |
| Eswatini | $2.8M | 3.1% |
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 8501: Electric motors and generators (excluding generating sets).
Common questions
What is the value of electric motor imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported electric motor worth $325.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 43.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 38th of 226 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 4% on 2023.
Which countries supply electric motor to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 42% of the value ($138.0 million), followed by Germany (13%) and the United States (10%). The top three together account for 65%, out of 94 supplier countries in total. Mexico grew fastest among the top ten, up 430% on the year.
What is the average import price of electric motor per kg?
The average declared import value was about $7.47 per kg in 2024, 44% below the world average of $13.41 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 motor to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $267.9 million in 2017 to $325.5 million in 2024, an increase of 22%. The peak was 2023 at $337.6 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export electric motor?
Yes. South Africa exported $90.0 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the United States, Botswana and Zambia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $235.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for electric motor?
The HS code for electric motor is heading 8501. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8501.31 (25% of the value) and 8501.52 (17%). 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 8501 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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