Electrical insulators imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of electrical insulators by South Africa reached $13.9 million in 2024 (4.8 thousand tonnes). That is 8% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2017, at $17.8 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 | $13.9M | 4.8K t |
| 2023 | $12.8M | 3.7K t |
| 2022 | $12.7M | 4.7K t |
| 2021 | $10.2M | 3.7K t |
| 2020 | $10.2M | 4.2K t |
| 2019 | $13.5M | 4.4K t |
| 2018 | $15.9M | 6.3K t |
| 2017 | $17.8M | 6.9K t |
Where South Africa imports electrical insulators from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 52% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Italy grew fastest (+49% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $7.2M | 52% |
| India | $2.0M | 15% |
| Italy | $1.0M | 7.5% |
| France | $504K | 3.6% |
| Sweden | $497K | 3.6% |
| Germany | $406K | 2.9% |
| United Kingdom | $350K | 2.5% |
| Switzerland | $347K | 2.5% |
| United States | $327K | 2.4% |
| Singapore | $215K | 1.6% |
Product types under HS 8546
| 8546.90 | Electrical insulators: other than of glass and ceramics | 51% |
| 8546.20 | Electrical insulators: of ceramics | 45% |
| 8546.10 | Electrical insulators: of glass | 4.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8546.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.89 per kg, 52% below the world average of $5.96, 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.
Electrical insulators exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $8.4 million of electrical insulators in 2024 (1.0 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Australia (16%), United States (15%), Germany (10%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 42%. Among the main buyer markets, United States grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | $1.4M | 16% |
| United States | $1.3M | 15% |
| Germany | $867K | 10% |
| Poland | $832K | 9.9% |
| Namibia | $709K | 8.5% |
| Botswana | $503K | 6% |
| DR Congo | $428K | 5.1% |
| Zambia | $379K | 4.5% |
| Cyprus | $280K | 3.3% |
| Mozambique | $249K | 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 8546: Electrical insulators of any material.
Common questions
What is the value of electrical insulators imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported electrical insulators worth $13.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 4.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 46th of 212 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 8% on 2023.
Which countries supply electrical insulators to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 52% of the value ($7.2 million), followed by India (15%) and Italy (7%). The top three together account for 74%, out of 47 supplier countries in total. Switzerland grew fastest among the top ten, up 229% on the year.
What is the average import price of electrical insulators per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.89 per kg in 2024, 52% below the world average of $5.96 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 electrical insulators to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $17.8 million in 2017 to $13.9 million in 2024, a fall of 22%. The peak was 2017 at $17.8 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export electrical insulators?
Yes. South Africa exported $8.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Australia, the United States and Germany. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $5.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for electrical insulators?
The HS code for electrical insulators is heading 8546. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8546.90 (51% of the value) and 8546.20 (45%). 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 8546 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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