Electrical switches imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of electrical switches by South Africa reached $88.1 million in 2024 (3.7 thousand tonnes). Value fell 13% from 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 | $88.1M | 3.7K t |
| 2023 | $101.3M | 4.2K t |
| 2022 | $90.8M | 4.8K t |
| 2021 | $82.4M | 4.3K t |
| 2020 | $58.4M | 2.7K t |
| 2019 | $80.3M | 3.2K t |
| 2018 | $83.9M | 3.7K t |
| 2017 | $91.6M | 3.1K t |
Where South Africa imports electrical switches from
Most of the value came from China (29%), Germany (14%), United States (9%). Among the main suppliers, Morocco grew fastest (+179% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $25.2M | 29% |
| Germany | $12.3M | 14% |
| United States | $7.7M | 8.7% |
| Italy | $5.0M | 5.7% |
| France | $3.7M | 4.2% |
| Japan | $3.5M | 3.9% |
| Mexico | $2.5M | 2.8% |
| Czech Republic | $2.4M | 2.7% |
| Spain | $2.3M | 2.6% |
| Morocco | $2.1M | 2.4% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $24.02 per kg, 53% below the world average of $51.50, 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 switches exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $19.2 million of electrical switches in 2024 (807 tonnes). Most of it went to Mozambique (19%), Botswana (16%), Namibia (8%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 43%. Among the main buyer markets, Mozambique grew fastest (+145% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mozambique | $3.7M | 19% |
| Botswana | $3.1M | 16% |
| Namibia | $1.5M | 7.9% |
| Zambia | $1.4M | 7.4% |
| Zimbabwe | $1.4M | 7.2% |
| Eswatini | $1.3M | 6.8% |
| DR Congo | $1.1M | 5.5% |
| United States | $691K | 3.6% |
| Angola | $557K | 2.9% |
| Tanzania | $454K | 2.4% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa electrical switches imports (HS 8536.50): 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 8536.50: Electrical apparatus: switches n.e.c. in heading no. 8536, for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts.
Common questions
What is the value of electrical switches imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported electrical switches worth $88.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 3.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 41st of 221 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 13% on 2023.
Which countries supply electrical switches to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 29% of the value ($25.2 million), followed by Germany (14%) and the United States (9%). The top three together account for 51%, out of 113 supplier countries in total. Morocco grew fastest among the top ten, up 179% on the year.
What is the average import price of electrical switches per kg?
The average declared import value was about $24.02 per kg in 2024, 53% below the world average of $51.50 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of electrical switches to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $91.6 million in 2017 to $88.1 million in 2024, a fall of 4%. The peak was 2023 at $101.3 million. Over 8 years the average was $84.6 million a year.
Does South Africa also export electrical switches?
Yes. South Africa exported $19.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Mozambique, Botswana and Namibia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $68.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for electrical switches?
The HS code for electrical switches is subheading 8536.50. 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 8536 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for South Africa. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World electrical switches 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.