Gearbox imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $495.6 million of gearbox in 2024 (50.9 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 6% 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 | $495.6M | 50.9K t |
| 2023 | $467.5M | 32.3K t |
| 2022 | $446.3M | 30.5K t |
| 2021 | $385.2M | 36.2K t |
| 2020 | $309.5M | 32.6K t |
| 2019 | $366.0M | 29.4K t |
| 2018 | $400.3M | 24.0K t |
| 2017 | $394.4M | 32.0K t |
Where South Africa imports gearbox from
The largest suppliers were China (23%), Germany (20%), United States (16%).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $115.0M | 23% |
| Germany | $100.4M | 20% |
| United States | $79.6M | 16% |
| Italy | $30.1M | 6.1% |
| Japan | $16.5M | 3.3% |
| United Kingdom | $10.9M | 2.2% |
| India | $9.6M | 1.9% |
| Belgium | $9.4M | 1.9% |
| Poland | $9.1M | 1.8% |
| Finland | $8.1M | 1.6% |
Product types under HS 8483
| 8483.40 | Gears and gearing: (not toothed wheels, chain sprockets and other transmission elements presented separately): ball or roller screws: gear boxes and… | 35% |
| 8483.90 | Transmission components: toothed wheels, chain sprockets and other transmission elements presented separately: parts | 21% |
| 8483.30 | Bearing housings, not incorporating ball or roller bearings and plain shaft bearings | 12% |
| 8483.10 | Transmission shafts (including cam shafts and crank shafts) and cranks | 11% |
| 8483.50 | Pulleys and flywheels, including pulley blocks | 9.9% |
| 8483.60 | Clutches and shaft couplings (including universal joints) | 7.8% |
| 8483.20 | Bearing housings, incorporating ball or roller bearings | 2.8% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8483.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $9.74 per kg, close to the world average of $11.58.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Gearbox exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $189.7 million of gearbox in 2024 (8.0 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to DR Congo (11%), Zimbabwe (11%), Zambia (10%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 31%. Among the main buyer markets, Lesotho grew fastest (+188% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DR Congo | $20.5M | 11% |
| Zimbabwe | $20.3M | 11% |
| Zambia | $18.8M | 9.9% |
| Mozambique | $14.7M | 7.8% |
| Botswana | $14.3M | 7.6% |
| United States | $12.7M | 6.7% |
| Namibia | $10.3M | 5.4% |
| Belgium | $8.1M | 4.3% |
| Lesotho | $5.9M | 3.1% |
| Angola | $4.9M | 2.6% |
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 8483: Transmission shafts (including cam and crank) and cranks; bearing housings and plain shaft bearings; gears and gearing; ball or roller screws; gear boxes and other speed changers; flywheels and pulleys; clutches and shaft couplings.
Common questions
What is the value of gearbox imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported gearbox worth $495.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 50.9 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 33rd of 223 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 6% on 2023.
Which countries supply gearbox to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 23% of the value ($115.0 million), followed by Germany (20%) and the United States (16%). The top three together account for 60%, out of 137 supplier countries in total. Poland grew fastest among the top ten, up 30% on the year.
What is the average import price of gearbox per kg?
The average declared import value was about $9.74 per kg in 2024, 16% below the world average of $11.58 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 gearbox to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $394.4 million in 2017 to $495.6 million in 2024, an increase of 26%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export gearbox?
Yes. South Africa exported $189.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the DR Congo, Zimbabwe and Zambia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $305.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for gearbox?
The HS code for gearbox is heading 8483. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8483.40 (35% of the value) and 8483.90 (21%). 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?
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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