Electroplating machinery imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of electroplating machinery by South Africa reached $3.4 million in 2024 (97 tonnes). The value was almost unchanged from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 20% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2022, at $7.3 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
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Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3.4M | 97 t |
| 2023 | $3.4M | 72 t |
| 2022 | $7.3M | 82 t |
| 2021 | $2.4M | 38 t |
| 2020 | $2.3M | 30 t |
| 2019 | $1.3M | 25 t |
| 2018 | $1.2M | 28 t |
| 2017 | $968K | 30 t |
Where South Africa imports electroplating machinery from
Most of the value came from Bulgaria (31%), Switzerland (15%), Germany (13%). Among the main suppliers, United Kingdom grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Bulgaria | $1.1M | 31% |
| Switzerland | $504K | 15% |
| Germany | $439K | 13% |
| China | $319K | 9.4% |
| United States | $305K | 9% |
| United Arab Emirates | $272K | 8% |
| United Kingdom | $211K | 6.2% |
| Turkey | $67K | 2% |
| Japan | $48K | 1.4% |
| Italy | $40K | 1.2% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $34.83 per kg, close to the world average of $32.00.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Electroplating machinery exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported electroplating machinery worth $1.6 million (81 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Ghana (19%), France (14%), Brazil (12%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 45%. Among the main buyer markets, Senegal grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Ghana | $310K | 19% |
| France | $224K | 14% |
| Brazil | $197K | 12% |
| Djibouti | $112K | 6.9% |
| Indonesia | $87K | 5.4% |
| Guinea | $80K | 4.9% |
| Australia | $76K | 4.7% |
| Senegal | $68K | 4.2% |
| Mauritania | $60K | 3.7% |
| Angola | $34K | 2.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa electroplating machinery imports (HS 8543.30): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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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 8543.30: Electrical machines and apparatus: for electroplating, electrolysis or electrophoresis.
Common questions
What is the value of electroplating machinery imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported electroplating machinery worth $3.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 97 tonnes. That ranks it 50th of 189 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 0% on 2023.
Which countries supply electroplating machinery to South Africa?
Bulgaria was the largest supplier with 31% of the value ($1.1 million), followed by Switzerland (15%) and Germany (13%). The top three together account for 59%, out of 30 supplier countries in total. Turkey grew fastest among the top ten, up 978% on the year.
What is the average import price of electroplating machinery per kg?
The average declared import value was about $34.83 per kg in 2024, 9% above the world average of $32.00 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of electroplating machinery to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $968 thousand in 2017 to $3.4 million in 2024, an increase of 250%. The peak was 2022 at $7.3 million. Over 8 years the average was $2.8 million a year.
Does South Africa also export electroplating machinery?
Yes. South Africa exported $1.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Ghana, France and Brazil. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $1.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for electroplating machinery?
The HS code for electroplating machinery is subheading 8543.30. 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 8543 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For South Africa, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World electroplating machinery trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
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