Industrial specialty vacuums imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of industrial specialty vacuums by South Africa reached $5.3 million in 2024 (757 tonnes). Value fell 5% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 9% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2021, at $11.4 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 | $5.3M | 757 t |
| 2023 | $5.6M | 380 t |
| 2022 | $8.6M | 641 t |
| 2021 | $11.4M | 962 t |
| 2020 | $11.0M | 945 t |
| 2019 | $10.9M | 931 t |
| 2018 | $11.1M | 869 t |
| 2017 | $10.3M | 959 t |
Where South Africa imports industrial specialty vacuums from
Most of the value came from China (47%), Germany (23%), Poland (11%). Among the main suppliers, Germany grew fastest (+207% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $2.5M | 47% |
| Germany | $1.2M | 23% |
| Poland | $582K | 11% |
| Turkey | $377K | 7.1% |
| Romania | $229K | 4.3% |
| Italy | $176K | 3.3% |
| United Kingdom | $85K | 1.6% |
| Hungary | $51K | 1% |
| Austria | $21K | 0.4% |
| Finland | $17K | 0.3% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $6.99 per kg, 36% below the world average of $10.94, 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.
Industrial specialty vacuums exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported industrial specialty vacuums worth $943 thousand (73 tonnes). Most of it went to Namibia (29%), Botswana (21%), Mozambique (8%). Among the main buyer markets, Namibia grew fastest (+83% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $271K | 29% |
| Botswana | $198K | 21% |
| Mozambique | $76K | 8.1% |
| DR Congo | $68K | 7.2% |
| United States | $65K | 6.9% |
| Eswatini | $57K | 6% |
| Lesotho | $53K | 5.6% |
| Zimbabwe | $39K | 4.1% |
| Zambia | $38K | 4.1% |
| Mauritius | $13K | 1.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa industrial specialty vacuums imports (HS 8508.19): 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 8508.19: Vacuum cleaners, with self-contained electric motor, n.e.c. in item no. 8508.1.
Common questions
What is the value of industrial specialty vacuums imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported industrial specialty vacuums worth $5.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 757 tonnes. That ranks it 59th of 217 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 5% on 2023.
Which countries supply industrial specialty vacuums to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 47% of the value ($2.5 million), followed by Germany (23%) and Poland (11%). The top three together account for 81%, out of 34 supplier countries in total. Finland grew fastest among the top ten, up 599% on the year.
What is the average import price of industrial specialty vacuums per kg?
The average declared import value was about $6.99 per kg in 2024, 36% below the world average of $10.94 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of industrial specialty vacuums to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $10.3 million in 2017 to $5.3 million in 2024, a fall of 49%. The peak was 2021 at $11.4 million. Over 8 years the average was $9.3 million a year.
Does South Africa also export industrial specialty vacuums?
Yes. South Africa exported $943 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $4.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for industrial specialty vacuums?
The HS code for industrial specialty vacuums is subheading 8508.19. 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 8508 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For South Africa, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World industrial specialty vacuums trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
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