Lifting machinery parts imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $634.3 million of lifting machinery parts in 2024 (79.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 5% less than in 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 | $634.3M | 79.3K t |
| 2023 | $666.5M | 80.3K t |
| 2022 | $629.7M | 91.2K t |
| 2021 | $560.1M | 69.9K t |
| 2020 | $493.7M | 56.3K t |
| 2019 | $559.7M | 67.5K t |
| 2018 | $590.8M | 87.6K t |
| 2017 | $546.1M | 60.8K t |
Where South Africa imports lifting machinery parts from
The largest suppliers were China (25%), United States (17%), Sweden (8%). Among the main suppliers, India grew fastest (+76% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $159.9M | 25% |
| United States | $109.1M | 17% |
| Sweden | $50.5M | 8% |
| Germany | $46.5M | 7.3% |
| Italy | $38.4M | 6.1% |
| Japan | $31.8M | 5% |
| India | $21.7M | 3.4% |
| France | $21.2M | 3.4% |
| Canada | $18.9M | 3% |
| Spain | $14.3M | 2.3% |
Product types under HS 8431
| 8431.49 | Machinery: parts of machines handling earth, minerals or ores and n.e.c. in heading no. 8431 | 60% |
| 8431.43 | Boring or sinking machinery: parts of the machinery of item no. 8430.41 or 8430.41 | 20% |
| 8431.39 | Machinery: parts of the machinery of heading no. 8428, (other than lifts, skip hoists or escalators) | 8.2% |
| 8431.41 | Machinery parts: buckets, shovels, grabs and grips, for the machinery of heading no. 8426 and 8430 | 3.9% |
| 8431.20 | Machinery: parts of the machinery of heading no. 8427 | 3% |
| 8431.10 | Machinery: parts of the machinery of heading no. 8425 | 2.8% |
| 8431.31 | Lifts, skip hoists or escalators: parts thereof | 1.4% |
| 8431.42 | Machinery parts: bulldozer or angledozer blades | 0.4% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8431.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $8.00 per kg, close to the world average of $6.72.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Lifting machinery parts exports from South Africa
Exports of lifting machinery parts by South Africa reached $411.7 million in 2024 (36.0 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. The largest buyer markets were Zambia (15%), DR Congo (14%), Botswana (12%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 41%.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $62.4M | 15% |
| DR Congo | $57.6M | 14% |
| Botswana | $48.7M | 12% |
| Zimbabwe | $32.5M | 7.9% |
| Mozambique | $32.4M | 7.9% |
| United States | $30.4M | 7.4% |
| Namibia | $22.6M | 5.5% |
| Tanzania | $10.9M | 2.6% |
| Australia | $10.5M | 2.5% |
| Angola | $10.2M | 2.5% |
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 8431: Machinery parts; used solely or principally with the machinery of heading no. 8425 to 8430.
Common questions
What is the value of lifting machinery parts imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported lifting machinery parts worth $634.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 79.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 28th of 225 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 5% on 2023.
Which countries supply lifting machinery parts to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 25% of the value ($159.9 million), followed by the United States (17%) and Sweden (8%). The top three together account for 50%, out of 116 supplier countries in total. India grew fastest among the top ten, up 76% on the year.
What is the average import price of lifting machinery parts per kg?
The average declared import value was about $8.00 per kg in 2024, 19% above the world average of $6.72 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 lifting machinery parts to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $546.1 million in 2017 to $634.3 million in 2024, an increase of 16%. The peak was 2023 at $666.5 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export lifting machinery parts?
Yes. South Africa exported $411.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zambia, the DR Congo and Botswana. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $222.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for lifting machinery parts?
The HS code for lifting machinery parts is heading 8431. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8431.49 (60% of the value) and 8431.43 (20%). 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 8431 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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