Light bulbs imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of light bulbs by South Africa reached $63.5 million in 2024 (5.8 thousand tonnes). Value fell 8% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2018, at $94.7 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 | $63.5M | 5.8K t |
| 2023 | $69.4M | 4.4K t |
| 2022 | $79.1M | 5.3K t |
| 2021 | $82.2M | 8.7K t |
| 2020 | $64.4M | 7.2K t |
| 2019 | $91.7M | 7.9K t |
| 2018 | $94.7M | 5.7K t |
| 2017 | $84.2M | 6.2K t |
Where South Africa imports light bulbs from
China alone supplied 72% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $45.7M | 72% |
| Germany | $3.9M | 6.1% |
| United States | $1.9M | 3% |
| India | $1.6M | 2.5% |
| Japan | $1.5M | 2.3% |
| Thailand | $1.4M | 2.3% |
| Poland | $1.1M | 1.8% |
| South Korea | $930K | 1.5% |
| Serbia | $840K | 1.3% |
| United Kingdom | $740K | 1.2% |
Product types under HS 8539
| 8539.50 | Lamps: light-emitting diode (LED) lamps | 56% |
| 8539.21 | Lamps: filament, (excluding ultra-violet or infra-red), tungsten halogen | 11% |
| 8539.29 | Lamps: filament, (excluding ultra-violet or infra-red), n.e.c. in item no. 8539.2 | 8.3% |
| 8539.90 | Lamps: parts of the lamps of heading no. 8539 | 7.2% |
| 8539.49 | Lamps: ultra-violet or infra-red lamps, (excluding arc-lamps) | 5.7% |
| 8539.31 | Lamps: discharge, (excluding ultra-violet), fluorescent, hot cathode | 4.5% |
| 8539.32 | Lamps: discharge, (excluding ultra-violet), mercury or sodium vapour lamps, metal halide lamps | 2.7% |
| 8539.41 | Lamps: arc-lamps | 1.7% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8539.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $10.97 per kg, 43% below the world average of $19.26, 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.
Light bulbs exports from South Africa
Exports of light bulbs by South Africa reached $19.3 million in 2024 (1.2 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Namibia (18%), Botswana (13%), Belgium (13%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 44%. Among the main buyer markets, Botswana grew fastest (+61% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $3.5M | 18% |
| Botswana | $2.5M | 13% |
| Belgium | $2.4M | 13% |
| Zambia | $2.0M | 11% |
| Mozambique | $1.6M | 8.1% |
| Eswatini | $1.4M | 7.2% |
| Zimbabwe | $1.3M | 6.7% |
| Lesotho | $887K | 4.6% |
| DR Congo | $591K | 3.1% |
| China | $462K | 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 8539: Lamps; electric filament or discharge lamps, including sealed beam lamp units and ultra-violet or infra-red lamps, arc lamps, light-emitting diode (LED) light sources.
Common questions
What is the value of light bulbs imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported light bulbs worth $63.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 5.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 43rd of 224 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 8% on 2023.
Which countries supply light bulbs to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 72% of the value ($45.7 million), followed by Germany (6%) and the United States (3%). The top three together account for 81%, out of 88 supplier countries in total. India grew fastest among the top ten, up 146% on the year.
What is the average import price of light bulbs per kg?
The average declared import value was about $10.97 per kg in 2024, 43% below the world average of $19.26 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 light bulbs to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $84.2 million in 2017 to $63.5 million in 2024, a fall of 25%. The peak was 2018 at $94.7 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export light bulbs?
Yes. South Africa exported $19.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Botswana and Belgium. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $44.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for light bulbs?
The HS code for light bulbs is heading 8539. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8539.50 (56% of the value) and 8539.21 (11%). 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 8539 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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