Ignition system imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of ignition system by South Africa reached $148.8 million in 2024 (10.5 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 25% 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 | $148.8M | 10.5K t |
| 2023 | $119.2M | 6.8K t |
| 2022 | $122.8M | 7.0K t |
| 2021 | $127.1M | 7.1K t |
| 2020 | $95.7M | 5.4K t |
| 2019 | $139.1M | 7.8K t |
| 2018 | $129.0M | 7.4K t |
| 2017 | $125.3M | 7.3K t |
Where South Africa imports ignition system from
The largest suppliers were China (29%), Germany (19%), Thailand (16%). Among the main suppliers, Thailand grew fastest (+135% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $43.3M | 29% |
| Germany | $28.7M | 19% |
| Thailand | $23.2M | 16% |
| Japan | $12.8M | 8.6% |
| United States | $9.9M | 6.7% |
| India | $8.0M | 5.4% |
| Brazil | $5.6M | 3.8% |
| Mexico | $3.4M | 2.3% |
| Slovenia | $1.6M | 1.1% |
| Spain | $1.5M | 1% |
Product types under HS 8511
| 8511.40 | Ignition or starting equipment: starter motors and dual purpose starter-generators, of a kind used for spark or compression-ignition internal… | 32% |
| 8511.50 | Ignition or starting equipment: generators n.e.c. in heading no. 8511, of a kind used for spark or compression-ignition internal combustion engines | 23% |
| 8511.10 | Ignition or starting equipment: spark plugs, of a kind used for spark or compression-ignition internal combustion engines | 17% |
| 8511.90 | Ignition or starting equipment: parts of the equipment of heading no. 8511, for use in spark-ignition or compression-ignition internal combustion… | 16% |
| 8511.30 | Ignition or starting equipment: distributors and ignition coils of a kind used for spark-ignition or compression-ignition internal combustion engines | 7.8% |
| 8511.80 | Ignition or starting equipment: n.e.c. in heading no. 8511, of a kind used for spark or compression-ignition internal combustion engines | 4.7% |
| 8511.20 | Ignition or starting equipment: ignition magnetos, magneto-dynamos and magnetic flywheels, of a kind used for spark or compression-ignition internal… | 0.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8511.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $14.14 per kg, close to the world average of $17.60.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Ignition system exports from South Africa
Exports of ignition system by South Africa reached $27.3 million in 2024 (1.3 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Botswana (20%), Namibia (16%), Zimbabwe (9%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 45%. Among the main buyer markets, Senegal grew fastest (+706% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $5.3M | 20% |
| Namibia | $4.5M | 16% |
| Zimbabwe | $2.4M | 8.9% |
| Mozambique | $2.1M | 7.6% |
| Zambia | $1.8M | 6.5% |
| Eswatini | $1.5M | 5.6% |
| DR Congo | $1.4M | 5% |
| United Arab Emirates | $1.0M | 3.7% |
| Senegal | $957K | 3.5% |
| United States | $843K | 3.1% |
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 8511: Ignition or starting equipment; used for spark-ignition or compression-ignition internal combustion engines; generators and cut outs used in conjunction with such engines.
Common questions
What is the value of ignition system imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported ignition system worth $148.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 10.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 31st of 224 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 25% on 2023.
Which countries supply ignition system to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 29% of the value ($43.3 million), followed by Germany (19%) and Thailand (16%). The top three together account for 64%, out of 99 supplier countries in total. Thailand grew fastest among the top ten, up 135% on the year.
What is the average import price of ignition system per kg?
The average declared import value was about $14.14 per kg in 2024, 20% below the world average of $17.60 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 ignition system to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $125.3 million in 2017 to $148.8 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 ignition system?
Yes. South Africa exported $27.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $121.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for ignition system?
The HS code for ignition system is heading 8511. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8511.40 (32% of the value) and 8511.50 (23%). 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 8511 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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