Instant water heaters imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported instant water heaters worth $10.1 million (768 tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 8% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 12% a year on average.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
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Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $10.1M | 768 t |
| 2023 | $11.0M | 810 t |
| 2022 | $9.0M | 680 t |
| 2021 | $7.1M | 629 t |
| 2020 | $4.0M | 343 t |
| 2019 | $4.4M | 391 t |
| 2018 | $5.0M | 446 t |
| 2017 | $4.6M | 479 t |
Where South Africa imports instant water heaters from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 68% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $6.9M | 68% |
| Japan | $1.9M | 19% |
| France | $691K | 6.8% |
| Denmark | $338K | 3.3% |
| Portugal | $143K | 1.4% |
| Italy | $31K | 0.3% |
| India | $29K | 0.3% |
| United States | $18K | 0.2% |
| Finland | $3K | 0% |
| Greece | $2K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $13.19 per kg, close to the world average of $12.83.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Instant water heaters exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported instant water heaters worth $1.5 million (119 tonnes). Most of it went to Namibia (38%), Burkina Faso (10%), Zambia (10%). Among the main buyer markets, Angola grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $578K | 38% |
| Burkina Faso | $153K | 10% |
| Zambia | $150K | 9.8% |
| Botswana | $106K | 6.9% |
| Tanzania | $99K | 6.5% |
| Nigeria | $77K | 5% |
| Eswatini | $72K | 4.7% |
| Mozambique | $58K | 3.8% |
| Lesotho | $48K | 3.2% |
| Angola | $44K | 2.9% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa instant water heaters imports (HS 8419.11): 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 8419.11: Heaters: instantaneous gas water heaters, for domestic or other purposes.
Common questions
What is the value of instant water heaters imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported instant water heaters worth $10.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 768 tonnes. That ranks it 19th of 197 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 8% on 2023.
Which countries supply instant water heaters to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 68% of the value ($6.9 million), followed by Japan (19%) and France (7%). The top three together account for 94%, out of 20 supplier countries in total. The United States grew fastest among the top ten, up 589% on the year.
What is the average import price of instant water heaters per kg?
The average declared import value was about $13.19 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $12.83 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of instant water heaters to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $4.6 million in 2017 to $10.1 million in 2024, an increase of 122%. The peak was 2023 at $11.0 million. Over 8 years the average was $6.9 million a year.
Does South Africa also export instant water heaters?
Yes. South Africa exported $1.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Burkina Faso and Zambia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $8.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for instant water heaters?
The HS code for instant water heaters is subheading 8419.11. 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?
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 instant water heaters trade: top importers and exporters
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