Media-based audio devices imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $5.8 million of media-based audio devices in 2024 (282 tonnes). Value fell 15% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 7% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $9.5 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 | $5.8M | 282 t |
| 2023 | $6.9M | 271 t |
| 2022 | $8.3M | 334 t |
| 2021 | $8.1M | 617 t |
| 2020 | $7.5M | 353 t |
| 2019 | $6.4M | 176 t |
| 2018 | $7.3M | 127 t |
| 2017 | $9.5M | 1.4K t |
Where South Africa imports media-based audio devices from
Vietnam alone supplied 56% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | $3.2M | 56% |
| China | $1.5M | 25% |
| United States | $288K | 5% |
| Germany | $179K | 3.1% |
| Australia | $154K | 2.7% |
| Austria | $130K | 2.2% |
| Singapore | $75K | 1.3% |
| South Korea | $42K | 0.7% |
| Malaysia | $41K | 0.7% |
| Taiwan | $41K | 0.7% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $20.59 per kg, close to the world average of $22.56.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Media-based audio devices exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported media-based audio devices worth $462 thousand (27 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Malawi (24%), Namibia (22%), Mauritius (21%). Among the main buyer markets, Hong Kong grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Malawi | $112K | 24% |
| Namibia | $103K | 22% |
| Mauritius | $96K | 21% |
| Botswana | $26K | 5.6% |
| Zambia | $19K | 4.1% |
| Eswatini | $18K | 4% |
| Tanzania | $14K | 2.9% |
| Hungary | $12K | 2.6% |
| Hong Kong | $9K | 2% |
| United States | $9K | 2% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa media-based audio devices imports (HS 8519.81): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
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 8519.81: Sound recording or reproducing apparatus: using magnetic, optical or semiconductor media, n.e.c. in item no 8519.20, 8519.30 or 8519.50.
Common questions
What is the value of media-based audio devices imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported media-based audio devices worth $5.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 282 tonnes. That ranks it 50th of 206 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 15% on 2023.
Which countries supply media-based audio devices to South Africa?
Vietnam was the largest supplier with 56% of the value ($3.2 million), followed by China (25%) and the United States (5%). The top three together account for 86%, out of 35 supplier countries in total. Taiwan grew fastest among the top ten, up 649% on the year.
What is the average import price of media-based audio devices per kg?
The average declared import value was about $20.59 per kg in 2024, 9% below the world average of $22.56 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of media-based audio devices to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $9.5 million in 2017 to $5.8 million in 2024, a fall of 39%. The peak was 2017 at $9.5 million. Over 8 years the average was $7.5 million a year.
Does South Africa also export media-based audio devices?
Yes. South Africa exported $462 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Malawi, Namibia and Mauritius. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $5.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for media-based audio devices?
The HS code for media-based audio devices is subheading 8519.81. 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 8519 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For South Africa, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World media-based audio devices trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
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