General lubricant imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported general lubricant worth $35.4 million (6.1 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 8% more than in 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 | $35.4M | 6.1K t |
| 2023 | $32.8M | 5.5K t |
| 2022 | $37.6M | 7.1K t |
| 2021 | $29.2M | 6.0K t |
| 2020 | $21.5M | 5.3K t |
| 2019 | $23.7M | 5.2K t |
| 2018 | $26.4M | 5.3K t |
| 2017 | $23.9M | 5.6K t |
Where South Africa imports general lubricant from
The largest suppliers were Germany (36%), France (15%), United States (11%). Among the main suppliers, India grew fastest (+437% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | $12.8M | 36% |
| France | $5.3M | 15% |
| United States | $4.1M | 11% |
| United Kingdom | $2.4M | 6.7% |
| Netherlands | $2.3M | 6.6% |
| Belgium | $2.3M | 6.4% |
| Sweden | $1.5M | 4.4% |
| Italy | $1.0M | 2.9% |
| Switzerland | $805K | 2.3% |
| India | $798K | 2.3% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $5.81 per kg, close to the world average of $4.90.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
General lubricant exports from South Africa
Exports of general lubricant by South Africa reached $8.4 million in 2024 (1.7 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Zambia (37%), DR Congo (14%), Botswana (6%). Among the main buyer markets, Turkey grew fastest (+164% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $3.1M | 37% |
| DR Congo | $1.2M | 14% |
| Botswana | $522K | 6.2% |
| Angola | $430K | 5.1% |
| Tanzania | $379K | 4.5% |
| Saudi Arabia | $285K | 3.4% |
| Mozambique | $272K | 3.2% |
| Turkey | $231K | 2.7% |
| Lesotho | $228K | 2.7% |
| Namibia | $214K | 2.5% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa general lubricant imports (HS 3403.19): 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 3403.19: Lubricating preparations: (other than for the treatment of textile and similar materials), containing less than 70% (by weight) of petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals.
Common questions
What is the value of general lubricant imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported general lubricant worth $35.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 6.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 42nd of 222 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 8% on 2023.
Which countries supply general lubricant to South Africa?
Germany was the largest supplier with 36% of the value ($12.8 million), followed by France (15%) and the United States (11%). The top three together account for 62%, out of 55 supplier countries in total. India grew fastest among the top ten, up 437% on the year.
What is the average import price of general lubricant per kg?
The average declared import value was about $5.81 per kg in 2024, 19% above the world average of $4.90 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of general lubricant to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $23.9 million in 2017 to $35.4 million in 2024, an increase of 48%. The peak was 2022 at $37.6 million. Over 8 years the average was $28.8 million a year.
Does South Africa also export general lubricant?
Yes. South Africa exported $8.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zambia, the DR Congo and Botswana. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $27.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for general lubricant?
The HS code for general lubricant is subheading 3403.19. It sits in HS chapter 34 (soap, organic surface-active agents; washing, lubricating, polishing or scouring preparations; artificial or prepared waxes, candles and similar articles, modelling pastes, dental waxes and dental preparations with a basis of plaster). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3403 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.
Same product, other countries
More trade data for South Africa
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.