Electrical wire and cable imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $542.6 million of electrical wire and cable in 2024 (62.0 thousand tonnes). That is 7% 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 | $542.6M | 62.0K t |
| 2023 | $583.6M | 69.4K t |
| 2022 | $524.3M | 58.2K t |
| 2021 | $446.3M | 49.1K t |
| 2020 | $294.1M | 45.8K t |
| 2019 | $423.5M | 60.7K t |
| 2018 | $439.8M | 59.7K t |
| 2017 | $417.3M | 53.0K t |
Where South Africa imports electrical wire and cable from
Most of the value came from China (27%), Botswana (27%), Portugal (6%).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $147.2M | 27% |
| Botswana | $143.8M | 27% |
| Portugal | $30.6M | 5.6% |
| Italy | $30.0M | 5.5% |
| Germany | $28.6M | 5.3% |
| Thailand | $21.3M | 3.9% |
| Spain | $18.0M | 3.3% |
| United States | $17.1M | 3.2% |
| Poland | $9.4M | 1.7% |
| India | $9.3M | 1.7% |
Product types under HS 8544
| 8544.30 | Insulated electric conductors: ignition wiring sets and other wiring sets of a kind used in vehicles, aircraft or ships | 27% |
| 8544.49 | Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, not fitted with connectors | 27% |
| 8544.42 | Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, fitted with connectors | 25% |
| 8544.60 | Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage exceeding 1000 volts | 9.3% |
| 8544.70 | Insulated electric conductors: optical fibre cables | 5.2% |
| 8544.20 | Insulated electric conductors: co-axial cable and other co-axial electric conductors | 3.1% |
| 8544.11 | Insulated electric conductors: winding wire, of copper | 2.9% |
| 8544.19 | Insulated electric conductors: winding wire, (of other than copper) | 1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8544.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $8.76 per kg, 39% below the world average of $14.30, 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 wire and cable exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported electrical wire and cable worth $231.3 million (30.3 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Botswana (22%), Namibia (10%), DR Congo (8%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 40%. Among the main buyer markets, Australia grew fastest (+51% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $51.8M | 22% |
| Namibia | $24.0M | 10% |
| DR Congo | $17.6M | 7.6% |
| Australia | $16.2M | 7% |
| Mozambique | $16.0M | 6.9% |
| Zimbabwe | $15.4M | 6.7% |
| Zambia | $14.8M | 6.4% |
| Eswatini | $12.6M | 5.4% |
| United States | $9.9M | 4.3% |
| Canada | $5.4M | 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 8544: Insulated wire, cable and other electric conductors, connector fitted or not; optical fibre cables of individually sheathed fibres, whether or not assembled with electric conductors or fitted with connectors.
Common questions
What is the value of electrical wire and cable imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported electrical wire and cable worth $542.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 62.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 45th of 226 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 7% on 2023.
Which countries supply electrical wire and cable to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 27% of the value ($147.2 million), followed by Botswana (27%) and Portugal (6%). The top three together account for 59%, out of 135 supplier countries in total. China grew fastest among the top ten, up 20% on the year.
What is the average import price of electrical wire and cable per kg?
The average declared import value was about $8.76 per kg in 2024, 39% below the world average of $14.30 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 wire and cable to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $417.3 million in 2017 to $542.6 million in 2024, an increase of 30%. The peak was 2023 at $583.6 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export electrical wire and cable?
Yes. South Africa exported $231.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Botswana, Namibia and the DR Congo. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $311.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for electrical wire and cable?
The HS code for electrical wire and cable is heading 8544. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8544.30 (27% of the value) and 8544.49 (27%). 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 8544 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.
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.