Machining centre imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $15.2 million of machining centre in 2024 (1.8 thousand tonnes). Value rose 4% on 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 | $15.2M | 1.8K t |
| 2023 | $14.7M | 1.5K t |
| 2022 | $13.9M | 1.3K t |
| 2021 | $13.4M | 828 t |
| 2020 | $6.3M | 1.5K t |
| 2019 | $11.8M | 805 t |
| 2018 | $10.8M | 708 t |
| 2017 | $19.0M | 1.4K t |
Where South Africa imports machining centre from
The largest suppliers were China (33%), Taiwan (18%), United States (14%). Among the main suppliers, Japan grew fastest (+300% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $5.0M | 33% |
| Taiwan | $2.7M | 18% |
| United States | $2.2M | 14% |
| South Korea | $2.0M | 13% |
| Japan | $1.6M | 11% |
| Germany | $600K | 3.9% |
| Italy | $312K | 2% |
| Sweden | $218K | 1.4% |
| India | $175K | 1.1% |
| United Kingdom | $148K | 1% |
Product types under HS 8457
| 8457.10 | Machining centres: for working metal | 96% |
| 8457.30 | Metal machines: multi-station transfer machines, for working metal | 3.4% |
| 8457.20 | Machines: unit construction machines (single station), for working metal | 0.9% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8457.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $8.33 per kg, 45% below the world average of $15.18, 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.
Machining centre exports from South Africa
Exports of machining centre by South Africa reached $1.2 million in 2024 (109 tonnes). Most of it went to Romania (42%), DR Congo (26%), Tanzania (7%). Among the main buyer markets, Tanzania grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Romania | $493K | 43% |
| DR Congo | $307K | 27% |
| Tanzania | $79K | 6.8% |
| Namibia | $65K | 5.6% |
| Mozambique | $58K | 5% |
| Eswatini | $35K | 3% |
| Malawi | $30K | 2.6% |
| Lesotho | $26K | 2.2% |
| Belgium | $20K | 1.7% |
| Zambia | $19K | 1.6% |
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 8457: Machining centres, unit construction machines (single station) and multi-station transfer machines for working metal.
Common questions
What is the value of machining centre imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported machining centre worth $15.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 52nd of 165 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 4% on 2023.
Which countries supply machining centre to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 33% of the value ($5.0 million), followed by Taiwan (18%) and the United States (14%). The top three together account for 65%, out of 17 supplier countries in total. Japan grew fastest among the top ten, up 300% on the year.
What is the average import price of machining centre per kg?
The average declared import value was about $8.33 per kg in 2024, 45% below the world average of $15.18 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 machining centre to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $19.0 million in 2017 to $15.2 million in 2024, a fall of 20%. The peak was 2017 at $19.0 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export machining centre?
Yes. South Africa exported $1.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Romania, the DR Congo and Tanzania. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $14.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for machining centre?
The HS code for machining centre is heading 8457. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8457.10 (96% of the value) and 8457.30 (3%). 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 8457 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.
Same product, other countries
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