Fluorescent lamps imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $2.8 million of fluorescent lamps in 2024 (692 tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is close to the 2023 level. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 26% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $22.5 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 | $2.8M | 692 t |
| 2023 | $2.8M | 219 t |
| 2022 | $6.5M | 543 t |
| 2021 | $9.9M | 935 t |
| 2020 | $8.4M | 879 t |
| 2019 | $13.0M | 1.6K t |
| 2018 | $14.9M | 1.3K t |
| 2017 | $22.5M | 2.3K t |
Where South Africa imports fluorescent lamps from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 95% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $2.7M | 95% |
| United States | $28K | 1% |
| Germany | $22K | 0.8% |
| France | $19K | 0.7% |
| India | $16K | 0.6% |
| Hungary | $6K | 0.2% |
| Turkey | $6K | 0.2% |
| Togo | $5K | 0.2% |
| Netherlands | $4K | 0.1% |
| Austria | $4K | 0.1% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.10 per kg, 55% below the world average of $9.15, 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.
Fluorescent lamps exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $1.3 million of fluorescent lamps in 2024 (84 tonnes). Namibia alone took 62% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Eswatini grew fastest (+38% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $785K | 62% |
| Botswana | $171K | 14% |
| Eswatini | $76K | 6% |
| Zambia | $70K | 5.5% |
| DR Congo | $58K | 4.6% |
| Ghana | $18K | 1.4% |
| Lesotho | $18K | 1.4% |
| Mozambique | $16K | 1.3% |
| Angola | $12K | 0.9% |
| Zimbabwe | $11K | 0.9% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa fluorescent lamps imports (HS 8539.31): 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 8539.31: Lamps: discharge, (excluding ultra-violet), fluorescent, hot cathode.
Common questions
What is the value of fluorescent lamps imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported fluorescent lamps worth $2.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 692 tonnes. That ranks it 30th of 204 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 1% on 2023.
Which countries supply fluorescent lamps to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 95% of the value ($2.7 million), followed by the United States (1%) and Germany (1%). The top three together account for 97%, out of 42 supplier countries in total. France grew fastest among the top ten, up 442% on the year.
What is the average import price of fluorescent lamps per kg?
The average declared import value was about $4.10 per kg in 2024, 55% below the world average of $9.15 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of fluorescent lamps to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $22.5 million in 2017 to $2.8 million in 2024, a fall of 87%. The peak was 2017 at $22.5 million. Over 8 years the average was $10.1 million a year.
Does South Africa also export fluorescent lamps?
Yes. South Africa exported $1.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Botswana and Eswatini. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $1.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for fluorescent lamps?
The HS code for fluorescent lamps is subheading 8539.31. 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 8539 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
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