Laser cutting machine imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of laser cutting machine by South Africa reached $33.7 million in 2024 (5.5 thousand tonnes). Value fell 18% from 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 | $33.7M | 5.5K t |
| 2023 | $41.3M | 3.8K t |
| 2022 | $39.8M | 7.1K t |
| 2021 | $39.5M | 3.5K t |
| 2020 | $30.2M | 4.3K t |
| 2019 | $34.6M | 1.4K t |
| 2018 | $38.4M | 1.3K t |
| 2017 | $37.2M | 3.3K t |
Where South Africa imports laser cutting machine from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 75% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $25.3M | 75% |
| Germany | $2.0M | 6% |
| Italy | $1.6M | 4.7% |
| Switzerland | $893K | 2.7% |
| Taiwan | $715K | 2.1% |
| United States | $672K | 2% |
| Japan | $597K | 1.8% |
| Spain | $278K | 0.8% |
| Netherlands | $260K | 0.8% |
| India | $246K | 0.7% |
Product types under HS 8456
| 8456.11 | Machine-tools: for working any material by removal of material: operated by laser | 83% |
| 8456.40 | Machine tools: for working any material by removal of material: operated by plasma arc processes: | 6.1% |
| 8456.30 | Machine-tools: for working any material by removal of material, operated by electro-discharge processes | 5.4% |
| 8456.90 | Machine tools: for working any material by removal of material: operated by other processes n.e.c. in heading 8456 | 2.7% |
| 8456.12 | Machine-tools: for working any material by removal of material: operated by other light or photon beam processes (not laser) | 1.8% |
| 8456.20 | Machine-tools: for working any material by removal of material, operated by ultrasonic processes | 0.8% |
| 8456.50 | Machine tools: for working any material by removal of material: operated by water-jet cutting machines | 0.7% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8456.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $6.18 per kg, 68% below the world average of $19.44, 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.
Laser cutting machine exports from South Africa
Exports of laser cutting machine by South Africa reached $2.7 million in 2024 (613 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were United Kingdom (34%), Namibia (15%), Botswana (9%). Among the main buyer markets, Lesotho grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $932K | 34% |
| Namibia | $404K | 15% |
| Botswana | $250K | 9.1% |
| Angola | $244K | 8.9% |
| Japan | $130K | 4.7% |
| Zambia | $125K | 4.6% |
| Lesotho | $117K | 4.3% |
| Zimbabwe | $96K | 3.5% |
| United States | $74K | 2.7% |
| Canada | $66K | 2.4% |
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 8456: Machine-tools; for working any material by removal of material, by laser or other light or photon beam, ultrasonic, electro-discharge, electro-chemical, electron beam, ionic-beam, or plasma arc processes; water-jet cutting machines.
Common questions
What is the value of laser cutting machine imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported laser cutting machine worth $33.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 5.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 37th of 211 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 18% on 2023.
Which countries supply laser cutting machine to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 75% of the value ($25.3 million), followed by Germany (6%) and Italy (5%). The top three together account for 86%, out of 38 supplier countries in total. India grew fastest among the top ten, up 239% on the year.
What is the average import price of laser cutting machine per kg?
The average declared import value was about $6.18 per kg in 2024, 68% below the world average of $19.44 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 laser cutting machine to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $37.2 million in 2017 to $33.7 million in 2024, a fall of 9%. The peak was 2023 at $41.3 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export laser cutting machine?
Yes. South Africa exported $2.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the United Kingdom, Namibia and Botswana. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $31.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for laser cutting machine?
The HS code for laser cutting machine is heading 8456. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8456.11 (83% of the value) and 8456.40 (6%). 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 8456 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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