High voltage switches imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of high voltage switches by South Africa reached $21.5 million in 2024 (1.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 8% 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 | $21.5M | 1.3K t |
| 2023 | $19.9M | 1.0K t |
| 2022 | $16.7M | 1.1K t |
| 2021 | $16.9M | 1.1K t |
| 2020 | $14.3M | 660 t |
| 2019 | $14.0M | 1.0K t |
| 2018 | $17.8M | 1.8K t |
| 2017 | $26.0M | 1.9K t |
Where South Africa imports high voltage switches from
The largest suppliers were Lesotho (29%), Thailand (25%), Italy (14%). Among the main suppliers, Germany grew fastest (+278% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Lesotho | $6.1M | 29% |
| Thailand | $5.4M | 25% |
| Italy | $3.0M | 14% |
| China | $1.7M | 7.7% |
| Netherlands | $1.5M | 6.8% |
| Germany | $1.2M | 5.5% |
| South Korea | $334K | 1.6% |
| United States | $311K | 1.5% |
| United Kingdom | $241K | 1.1% |
| France | $239K | 1.1% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $15.99 per kg, 37% below the world average of $25.39, 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 voltage switches exports from South Africa
Exports of high voltage switches by South Africa reached $10.2 million in 2024 (674 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Lesotho accounted for 60% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Botswana grew fastest (+241% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Lesotho | $6.1M | 60% |
| Malawi | $1.2M | 11% |
| Nigeria | $714K | 7% |
| Botswana | $490K | 4.8% |
| Zimbabwe | $354K | 3.5% |
| United States | $296K | 2.9% |
| Eswatini | $252K | 2.5% |
| Zambia | $159K | 1.6% |
| DR Congo | $155K | 1.5% |
| Namibia | $127K | 1.2% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa high voltage switches imports (HS 8535.30): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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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 8535.30: Electrical apparatus: isolating and make-and-break switches, for a voltage exceeding 1000 volts.
Common questions
What is the value of high voltage switches imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported high voltage switches worth $21.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 36th of 206 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 8% on 2023.
Which countries supply high voltage switches to South Africa?
Lesotho was the largest supplier with 29% of the value ($6.1 million), followed by Thailand (25%) and Italy (14%). The top three together account for 68%, out of 41 supplier countries in total. Germany grew fastest among the top ten, up 278% on the year.
What is the average import price of high voltage switches per kg?
The average declared import value was about $15.99 per kg in 2024, 37% below the world average of $25.39 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of high voltage switches to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $26.0 million in 2017 to $21.5 million in 2024, a fall of 17%. The peak was 2017 at $26.0 million. Over 8 years the average was $18.4 million a year.
Does South Africa also export high voltage switches?
Yes. South Africa exported $10.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Lesotho, Malawi and Nigeria. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $11.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for high voltage switches?
The HS code for high voltage switches is subheading 8535.30. 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 8535 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
World high voltage switches trade: top importers and exporters
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