Gear boxes and speed changers imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $174.9 million of gear boxes and speed changers in 2024 (18.9 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 9% on 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 | $174.9M | 18.9K t |
| 2023 | $159.9M | 7.0K t |
| 2022 | $132.8M | 5.6K t |
| 2021 | $109.2M | 4.9K t |
| 2020 | $98.1M | 4.8K t |
| 2019 | $106.5M | 5.2K t |
| 2018 | $116.8M | 6.0K t |
| 2017 | $120.7M | 6.2K t |
Where South Africa imports gear boxes and speed changers from
The largest suppliers were China (28%), United States (18%), Germany (15%). Among the main suppliers, Hungary grew fastest (+394% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $49.2M | 28% |
| United States | $31.2M | 18% |
| Germany | $25.9M | 15% |
| Italy | $11.2M | 6.4% |
| Belgium | $7.2M | 4.1% |
| Japan | $5.8M | 3.3% |
| Lesotho | $4.9M | 2.8% |
| Thailand | $3.6M | 2.1% |
| Finland | $3.4M | 1.9% |
| Hungary | $3.2M | 1.8% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $9.25 per kg, 47% below the world average of $17.52, 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.
Gear boxes and speed changers exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $70.7 million of gear boxes and speed changers in 2024 (2.7 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were DR Congo (13%), Zambia (12%), United States (11%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 36%. Among the main buyer markets, United Arab Emirates grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DR Congo | $9.0M | 13% |
| Zambia | $8.7M | 12% |
| United States | $7.9M | 11% |
| Zimbabwe | $7.4M | 10% |
| Botswana | $6.1M | 8.6% |
| Mozambique | $4.9M | 6.9% |
| Lesotho | $4.5M | 6.3% |
| Namibia | $2.0M | 2.8% |
| United Arab Emirates | $1.9M | 2.6% |
| Belgium | $1.8M | 2.6% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa gear boxes and speed changers imports (HS 8483.40): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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.
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 8483.40: Gears and gearing: (not toothed wheels, chain sprockets and other transmission elements presented separately): ball or roller screws: gear boxes and other speed changers, including torque converters.
Common questions
What is the value of gear boxes and speed changers imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported gear boxes and speed changers worth $174.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 18.9 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 30th of 217 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 9% on 2023.
Which countries supply gear boxes and speed changers to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 28% of the value ($49.2 million), followed by the United States (18%) and Germany (15%). The top three together account for 61%, out of 79 supplier countries in total. Hungary grew fastest among the top ten, up 394% on the year.
What is the average import price of gear boxes and speed changers per kg?
The average declared import value was about $9.25 per kg in 2024, 47% below the world average of $17.52 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of gear boxes and speed changers to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $120.7 million in 2017 to $174.9 million in 2024, an increase of 45%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $127.4 million a year.
Does South Africa also export gear boxes and speed changers?
Yes. South Africa exported $70.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the DR Congo, Zambia and the United States. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $104.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for gear boxes and speed changers?
The HS code for gear boxes and speed changers is subheading 8483.40. 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 8483 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 gear boxes and speed changers trade: top importers and exporters
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