Excavator imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of excavator by South Africa reached $875.3 million in 2024 (150.6 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value fell 21% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2023, at $1.10 billion.
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 | $875.3M | 150.6K t |
| 2023 | $1.10B | 146.8K t |
| 2022 | $989.6M | 151.2K t |
| 2021 | $675.6M | 107.2K t |
| 2020 | $475.9M | 80.8K t |
| 2019 | $697.9M | 108.9K t |
| 2018 | $748.9M | 106.7K t |
| 2017 | $708.2M | 113.6K t |
Where South Africa imports excavator from
Most of the value came from China (42%), Japan (15%), India (13%).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $371.3M | 42% |
| Japan | $129.5M | 15% |
| India | $113.0M | 13% |
| Thailand | $34.4M | 3.9% |
| United States | $30.7M | 3.5% |
| South Korea | $26.6M | 3% |
| Indonesia | $24.6M | 2.8% |
| Sweden | $23.2M | 2.7% |
| Singapore | $16.6M | 1.9% |
| Brazil | $15.7M | 1.8% |
Product types under HS 8429
| 8429.52 | Mechanical shovels, excavators and shovel loaders: with a 360 degree revolving super structure | 45% |
| 8429.51 | Front-end shovel loaders | 20% |
| 8429.11 | Bulldozers and angledozers: self-propelled, track laying | 10% |
| 8429.59 | Mechanical shovels, excavators and shovel loaders: n.e.c. in item no. 8429.50 | 10% |
| 8429.20 | Graders and levellers | 9% |
| 8429.40 | Tamping machines and road rollers: self-propelled | 4.4% |
| 8429.19 | Bulldozers and angledozers: self-propelled, other than track laying | 0.5% |
| 8429.30 | Scrapers: self-propelled | 0.2% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8429.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $5.81 per kg, close to the world average of $5.55.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Excavator exports from South Africa
Exports of excavator by South Africa reached $266.1 million in 2024 (46.1 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Zimbabwe (25%), Zambia (20%), Botswana (13%). Among the main buyer markets, Australia grew fastest (+82% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $65.8M | 25% |
| Zambia | $53.7M | 20% |
| Botswana | $34.8M | 13% |
| Namibia | $21.4M | 8.1% |
| Mozambique | $19.5M | 7.3% |
| Republic of the Congo | $9.5M | 3.6% |
| Angola | $8.1M | 3.1% |
| Eswatini | $7.3M | 2.7% |
| Australia | $7.1M | 2.7% |
| Lesotho | $6.5M | 2.5% |
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 8429: Bulldozers, graders, levellers, scrapers, angledozers, mechanical shovels, excavators, shovel loaders, tamping machines and road rollers, self-propelled.
Common questions
What is the value of excavator imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported excavator worth $875.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 150.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 18th of 222 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 21% on 2023.
Which countries supply excavator to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 42% of the value ($371.3 million), followed by Japan (15%) and India (13%). The top three together account for 70%, out of 51 supplier countries in total. Thailand grew fastest among the top ten, up 19% on the year.
What is the average import price of excavator per kg?
The average declared import value was about $5.81 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $5.55 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 excavator to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $708.2 million in 2017 to $875.3 million in 2024, an increase of 24%. The peak was 2023 at $1.10 billion. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export excavator?
Yes. South Africa exported $266.1 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $609.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for excavator?
The HS code for excavator is heading 8429. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8429.52 (45% of the value) and 8429.51 (20%). It sits in HS chapter 84 (machinery and mechanical appliances, boilers, nuclear reactors; parts thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8429 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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