Grinding machine imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported grinding machine worth $6.4 million (537 tonnes). That is 40% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 9% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2019, at $12.2 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 | $6.4M | 537 t |
| 2023 | $10.7M | 696 t |
| 2022 | $9.1M | 670 t |
| 2021 | $7.4M | 1.2K t |
| 2020 | $4.2M | 1.1K t |
| 2019 | $12.2M | 793 t |
| 2018 | $7.5M | 347 t |
| 2017 | $12.1M | 826 t |
Where South Africa imports grinding machine from
Most of the value came from China (26%), Germany (24%), Italy (16%). Among the main suppliers, Turkey grew fastest (+574% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $1.7M | 26% |
| Germany | $1.5M | 24% |
| Italy | $989K | 16% |
| United States | $429K | 6.7% |
| Sweden | $276K | 4.3% |
| Taiwan | $217K | 3.4% |
| France | $175K | 2.8% |
| United Kingdom | $170K | 2.7% |
| Turkey | $147K | 2.3% |
| Netherlands | $145K | 2.3% |
Product types under HS 8460
| 8460.39 | Machine-tools: sharpening (tool or cutter grinding) machines, other than numerically controlled | 19% |
| 8460.31 | Machine-tools: sharpening (tool or cutter grinding) machines, numerically controlled | 19% |
| 8460.90 | Machine-tools: for deburring, grinding, polishing or otherwise finishing metal, sintered metal carbides or cermets by means of grinding stones… | 16% |
| 8460.29 | Machine-tools: grinding machines (excluding flat-surface), other than numerically controlled | 11% |
| 8460.19 | Machine-tools: flat-surface grinding machines, other than numerically controlled | 8.8% |
| 8460.12 | Machine-tools: flat-surface grinding machines, numerically controlled | 8.6% |
| 8460.22 | Machine-tools: grinding machines (excluding flat-surface), centreless, numerically controlled | 8.2% |
| 8460.40 | Machine-tools: for honing or lapping | 3.5% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8460.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $11.85 per kg, 44% below the world average of $21.10, 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.
Grinding machine exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported grinding machine worth $1.7 million (136 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Eswatini (25%), Namibia (11%), Zambia (11%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 47%. Among the main buyer markets, United Kingdom grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Eswatini | $411K | 25% |
| Namibia | $189K | 11% |
| Zambia | $188K | 11% |
| Mozambique | $158K | 9.4% |
| DR Congo | $133K | 7.9% |
| United Kingdom | $87K | 5.2% |
| Botswana | $84K | 5% |
| Zimbabwe | $72K | 4.3% |
| Germany | $67K | 4% |
| New Zealand | $47K | 2.8% |
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 8460: Machine-tools; for deburring, sharpening, grinding, honing, lapping, polishing or otherwise finishing metal, sintered metal carbides or cermets by means of grinding stones, abrasives or polishing products.
Common questions
What is the value of grinding machine imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported grinding machine worth $6.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 537 tonnes. That ranks it 53rd of 211 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 40% on 2023.
Which countries supply grinding machine to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 26% of the value ($1.7 million), followed by Germany (24%) and Italy (16%). The top three together account for 66%, out of 45 supplier countries in total. Turkey grew fastest among the top ten, up 574% on the year.
What is the average import price of grinding machine per kg?
The average declared import value was about $11.85 per kg in 2024, 44% below the world average of $21.10 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 grinding machine to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $12.1 million in 2017 to $6.4 million in 2024, a fall of 48%. The peak was 2019 at $12.2 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export grinding machine?
Yes. South Africa exported $1.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Eswatini, Namibia and Zambia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $4.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for grinding machine?
The HS code for grinding machine is heading 8460. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8460.39 (19% of the value) and 8460.31 (19%). 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 8460 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.
Same product, other countries
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.