Luxury watches imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $21.9 million of luxury watches in 2024 (100 tonnes). Value rose 10% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 8% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $38.0 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 | $21.9M | 100 t |
| 2023 | $19.8M | 83 t |
| 2022 | $27.3M | 72 t |
| 2021 | $30.5M | 165 t |
| 2020 | $21.7M | 90 t |
| 2019 | $35.1M | 3 t |
| 2018 | $12.5M | 2 t |
| 2017 | $38.0M | 614 t |
Where South Africa imports luxury watches from
One supplier dominates: Switzerland accounted for 90% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | $19.6M | 90% |
| China | $1.3M | 5.8% |
| Singapore | $223K | 1% |
| United States | $142K | 0.7% |
| Germany | $118K | 0.5% |
| Japan | $74K | 0.3% |
| United Kingdom | $69K | 0.3% |
| Ireland | $61K | 0.3% |
| Hong Kong | $61K | 0.3% |
| France | $60K | 0.3% |
Product types under HS 9101
| 9101.21 | Wrist-watches: (not electrically operated), automatic winding, whether or not incorporating a stop-watch facility, case of precious metal or of metal… | 66% |
| 9101.29 | Wrist-watches: (not electrically operated), (not automatic winding), whether or not incorporating a stop-watch facility, case of precious metal or of… | 17% |
| 9101.11 | Wrist-watches: electrically operated, with or without a stop-watch, with case of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal, with mechanical… | 9.7% |
| 9101.19 | Wrist-watches: electrically operated, with or without a stop-watch, with case of precious metal or metal clad with precious metal, without mechanical… | 4.5% |
| 9101.99 | Pocket-watches and other watches, including stop-watches: (excluding wrist-watches), with case of precious metal or of metal clad with precious… | 3.4% |
| 9101.91 | Pocket-watches and other watches, including stop-watches: (excluding wrist-watches), with case of precious metal or of metal clad with precious… | 0.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 9101.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $218.89 per kg, 86% below the world average of $1,573.97, 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.
Luxury watches exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported luxury watches worth $4.0 million (24 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Singapore (35%), Switzerland (25%), Hong Kong (15%). Among the main buyer markets, Angola grew fastest (+289% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore | $1.4M | 35% |
| Switzerland | $1.0M | 25% |
| Hong Kong | $608K | 15% |
| Namibia | $253K | 6.4% |
| Botswana | $133K | 3.4% |
| United States | $88K | 2.2% |
| Angola | $72K | 1.8% |
| Jordan | $59K | 1.5% |
| Eswatini | $57K | 1.4% |
| Zimbabwe | $52K | 1.3% |
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 9101: Wrist-watches, pocket-watches, stop-watches and other watches; with case of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal.
Common questions
What is the value of luxury watches imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported luxury watches worth $21.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 100 tonnes. That ranks it 48th of 204 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 10% on 2023.
Which countries supply luxury watches to South Africa?
Switzerland was the largest supplier with 90% of the value ($19.6 million), followed by China (6%) and Singapore (1%). The top three together account for 96%, out of 55 supplier countries in total. Singapore grew fastest among the top ten, up 501% on the year.
What is the average import price of luxury watches per kg?
The average declared import value was about $218.89 per kg in 2024, 86% below the world average of $1,573.97 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 luxury watches to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $38.0 million in 2017 to $21.9 million in 2024, a fall of 42%. The peak was 2017 at $38.0 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export luxury watches?
Yes. South Africa exported $4.0 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Singapore, Switzerland and Hong Kong. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $17.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for luxury watches?
The HS code for luxury watches is heading 9101. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 9101.21 (66% of the value) and 9101.29 (17%). It sits in HS chapter 91 (clocks and watches and parts thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 9101 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.
More trade data for South Africa
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