Heat treatment machinery imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $213.3 million of heat treatment machinery in 2024 (22.0 thousand tonnes). That is 10% 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 | $213.3M | 22.0K t |
| 2023 | $193.3M | 14.8K t |
| 2022 | $201.8M | 19.9K t |
| 2021 | $190.5M | 10.9K t |
| 2020 | $125.3M | 7.8K t |
| 2019 | $190.9M | 9.5K t |
| 2018 | $165.9M | 8.7K t |
| 2017 | $179.0M | 11.4K t |
Where South Africa imports heat treatment machinery from
Most of the value came from China (21%), United States (13%), Germany (13%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 47%. Among the main suppliers, Austria grew fastest (+371% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $45.5M | 21% |
| United States | $28.3M | 13% |
| Germany | $27.3M | 13% |
| United Kingdom | $18.5M | 8.7% |
| Italy | $15.8M | 7.4% |
| Austria | $13.7M | 6.4% |
| India | $7.3M | 3.4% |
| France | $5.7M | 2.7% |
| Sweden | $5.4M | 2.5% |
| Spain | $5.0M | 2.3% |
Product types under HS 8419
| 8419.90 | Machinery, plant and laboratory equipment: parts of equipment for treating materials by a process involving a change of temperature | 23% |
| 8419.81 | Machinery, plant and equipment: for making hot drinks, for cooking or heating food | 21% |
| 8419.50 | Heat exchange units: not used for domestic purposes | 20% |
| 8419.89 | Machinery, plant and laboratory equipment: for treating materials by change of temperature, other than for making hot drinks or cooking or heating… | 18% |
| 8419.39 | Dryers: for products n.e.c. in heading no. 8419, not used for domestic purposes | 5.3% |
| 8419.11 | Heaters: instantaneous gas water heaters, for domestic or other purposes | 4.8% |
| 8419.20 | Sterilizers: for medical, surgical or laboratory use, not used for domestic purposes | 2.5% |
| 8419.19 | Heaters: instantaneous or storage water heaters, non-electric, other than instantaneous gas water heaters | 2.2% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8419.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $9.72 per kg, 46% below the world average of $18.05, 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.
Heat treatment machinery exports from South Africa
Exports of heat treatment machinery by South Africa reached $87.9 million in 2024 (4.8 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Zambia (17%), Australia (8%), Zimbabwe (8%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 33%. Among the main buyer markets, United Arab Emirates grew fastest (+354% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $15.3M | 17% |
| Australia | $7.3M | 8.3% |
| Zimbabwe | $6.6M | 7.5% |
| United States | $6.5M | 7.4% |
| Mozambique | $4.4M | 5% |
| DR Congo | $4.0M | 4.5% |
| Namibia | $3.0M | 3.4% |
| Botswana | $3.0M | 3.4% |
| United Arab Emirates | $2.7M | 3.1% |
| Chad | $2.3M | 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 8419: Machinery, plant (not domestic), or laboratory equipment; electrically heated or not, (excluding items in 85.14) for the treatment of materials by a process involving change of temperature; including instantaneous or non electric storage water heaters.
Common questions
What is the value of heat treatment machinery imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported heat treatment machinery worth $213.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 22.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 48th of 223 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 10% on 2023.
Which countries supply heat treatment machinery to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 21% of the value ($45.5 million), followed by the United States (13%) and Germany (13%). The top three together account for 47%, out of 98 supplier countries in total. Austria grew fastest among the top ten, up 371% on the year.
What is the average import price of heat treatment machinery per kg?
The average declared import value was about $9.72 per kg in 2024, 46% below the world average of $18.05 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 heat treatment machinery to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $179.0 million in 2017 to $213.3 million in 2024, an increase of 19%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export heat treatment machinery?
Yes. South Africa exported $87.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zambia, Australia and Zimbabwe. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $125.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for heat treatment machinery?
The HS code for heat treatment machinery is heading 8419. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8419.90 (23% of the value) and 8419.81 (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 8419 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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