High power three-phase motors imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of high power three-phase motors by South Africa reached $37.6 million in 2024 (6.1 thousand tonnes). Value fell 13% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 10% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $76.3 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 | $37.6M | 6.1K t |
| 2023 | $43.5M | 3.5K t |
| 2022 | $49.9M | 3.7K t |
| 2021 | $32.5M | 2.9K t |
| 2020 | $28.6M | 3.3K t |
| 2019 | $26.5M | 2.5K t |
| 2018 | $36.4M | 3.8K t |
| 2017 | $76.3M | 7.4K t |
Where South Africa imports high power three-phase motors from
The largest suppliers were China (23%), United States (19%), Brazil (17%). Among the main suppliers, Zambia grew fastest (+51% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $8.7M | 23% |
| United States | $7.3M | 20% |
| Brazil | $6.4M | 17% |
| Portugal | $3.6M | 9.5% |
| Spain | $2.0M | 5.3% |
| India | $1.5M | 4% |
| Poland | $1.4M | 3.8% |
| Germany | $1.2M | 3.3% |
| Italy | $878K | 2.3% |
| Zambia | $862K | 2.3% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $6.21 per kg, 54% below the world average of $13.59, 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.
High power three-phase motors exports from South Africa
Exports of high power three-phase motors by South Africa reached $17.2 million in 2024 (1.1 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to United States (16%), Zambia (11%), DR Congo (8%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 35%. Among the main buyer markets, Eswatini grew fastest (+550% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $2.8M | 16% |
| Zambia | $1.8M | 11% |
| DR Congo | $1.4M | 8.3% |
| Zimbabwe | $1.3M | 7.6% |
| Namibia | $1.2M | 7% |
| Eswatini | $961K | 5.6% |
| Chile | $947K | 5.5% |
| Angola | $842K | 4.9% |
| Russia | $813K | 4.7% |
| Sweden | $709K | 4.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa high power three-phase motors imports (HS 8501.53): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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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 8501.53: Electric motors: AC motors, multi-phase, of an output exceeding 75kW.
Common questions
What is the value of high power three-phase motors imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported high power three-phase motors worth $37.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 6.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 35th of 195 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 13% on 2023.
Which countries supply high power three-phase motors to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 23% of the value ($8.7 million), followed by the United States (19%) and Brazil (17%). The top three together account for 59%, out of 40 supplier countries in total. Zambia grew fastest among the top ten, up 51% on the year.
What is the average import price of high power three-phase motors per kg?
The average declared import value was about $6.21 per kg in 2024, 54% below the world average of $13.59 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of high power three-phase motors to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $76.3 million in 2017 to $37.6 million in 2024, a fall of 51%. The peak was 2017 at $76.3 million. Over 8 years the average was $41.4 million a year.
Does South Africa also export high power three-phase motors?
Yes. South Africa exported $17.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the United States, Zambia and the DR Congo. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $20.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for high power three-phase motors?
The HS code for high power three-phase motors is subheading 8501.53. It sits in HS chapter 85 (electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers, parts and accessories of such articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8501 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for South Africa. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World high power three-phase motors trade: top importers and exporters
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