Flashlight imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $17.7 million of flashlight in 2024 (1.3 thousand tonnes). Value fell 51% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2023, at $35.9 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 | $17.7M | 1.3K t |
| 2023 | $35.9M | 973 t |
| 2022 | $33.5M | 975 t |
| 2021 | $22.4M | 676 t |
| 2020 | $20.6M | 635 t |
| 2019 | $22.5M | 684 t |
| 2018 | $17.2M | 548 t |
| 2017 | $15.4M | 293 t |
Where South Africa imports flashlight from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 82% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $14.5M | 82% |
| Canada | $1.5M | 8.6% |
| Austria | $312K | 1.8% |
| United States | $309K | 1.8% |
| Singapore | $164K | 0.9% |
| Germany | $148K | 0.8% |
| United Kingdom | $125K | 0.7% |
| Taiwan | $106K | 0.6% |
| Hong Kong | $92K | 0.5% |
| Malaysia | $60K | 0.3% |
Product types under HS 8513
| 8513.10 | Lamps: portable, electric, designed to function by their own source of energy (excluding lighting equipment of heading no. 8512) | 90% |
| 8513.90 | Lamps: parts of portable, electric lamps of heading no. 8513, designed to function by their own source of energy | 11% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8513.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $13.27 per kg, close to the world average of $15.05.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Flashlight exports from South Africa
Exports of flashlight by South Africa reached $3.5 million in 2024 (210 tonnes). Most of it went to DR Congo (16%), Zambia (14%), Botswana (11%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 40%. Among the main buyer markets, Zambia grew fastest (+144% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DR Congo | $552K | 16% |
| Zambia | $480K | 14% |
| Botswana | $395K | 11% |
| Zimbabwe | $379K | 11% |
| Namibia | $375K | 11% |
| Eswatini | $293K | 8.3% |
| Mozambique | $186K | 5.3% |
| Ghana | $149K | 4.2% |
| Poland | $131K | 3.7% |
| Lesotho | $115K | 3.3% |
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 8513: Lamps; portable, electric, designed to function by their own source of energy (e.g. dry batteries, accumulators, magnetos), excluding lighting equipment of heading no. 8512.
Common questions
What is the value of flashlight imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported flashlight worth $17.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 40th of 220 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 51% on 2023.
Which countries supply flashlight to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 82% of the value ($14.5 million), followed by Canada (9%) and Austria (2%). The top three together account for 92%, out of 63 supplier countries in total. Canada grew fastest among the top ten, up 17% on the year.
What is the average import price of flashlight per kg?
The average declared import value was about $13.27 per kg in 2024, 12% below the world average of $15.05 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 flashlight to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $15.4 million in 2017 to $17.7 million in 2024, an increase of 15%. The peak was 2023 at $35.9 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export flashlight?
Yes. South Africa exported $3.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the DR Congo, Zambia and Botswana. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $14.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for flashlight?
The HS code for flashlight is heading 8513. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8513.10 (89% of the value) and 8513.90 (11%). 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 8513 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.