Medical instruments imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported medical instruments worth $682.1 million (67.4 thousand tonnes). That is 12% more 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 | $682.1M | 67.4K t |
| 2023 | $608.8M | 59.4K t |
| 2022 | $642.6M | 73.2K t |
| 2021 | $614.3M | 61.4K t |
| 2020 | $566.8M | 85.7K t |
| 2019 | $634.8M | 10.0K t |
| 2018 | $573.4M | 11.5K t |
| 2017 | $553.3M | 54.5K t |
Where South Africa imports medical instruments from
Most of the value came from United States (23%), China (13%), Germany (11%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 48%. Among the main suppliers, Netherlands grew fastest (+88% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $159.3M | 23% |
| China | $90.0M | 13% |
| Germany | $78.0M | 11% |
| Netherlands | $44.0M | 6.5% |
| Mexico | $43.6M | 6.4% |
| Japan | $26.7M | 3.9% |
| Ireland | $22.9M | 3.4% |
| Italy | $16.5M | 2.4% |
| France | $16.3M | 2.4% |
| United Kingdom | $15.9M | 2.3% |
Product types under HS 9018
| 9018.90 | Medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances: n.e.c. in heading no. 9018 | 57% |
| 9018.39 | Medical, surgical instruments and appliances: catheters, cannulae and the like | 17% |
| 9018.19 | Medical, surgical instruments and appliances: electro-diagnostic apparatus (including apparatus for functional exploratory examination or for… | 9.6% |
| 9018.50 | Ophthalmic instruments and appliances | 4.1% |
| 9018.13 | Medical, surgical instruments and appliances: magnetic resonance imaging apparatus | 2.7% |
| 9018.12 | Medical, surgical instruments and appliances: ultrasonic scanning apparatus | 2.3% |
| 9018.49 | Dental instruments and appliances: other than dental drill engines | 2.3% |
| 9018.31 | Medical, surgical instruments and appliances: syringes, with or without needles | 2.2% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 9018.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $10.11 per kg, 73% below the world average of $37.39, 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.
Medical instruments exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $99.7 million of medical instruments in 2024 (2.5 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Namibia (22%), Botswana (12%), Zimbabwe (9%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 42%. Among the main buyer markets, Zimbabwe grew fastest (+33% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $21.5M | 22% |
| Botswana | $11.8M | 12% |
| Zimbabwe | $9.0M | 9% |
| Germany | $4.5M | 4.5% |
| Netherlands | $4.3M | 4.3% |
| Mauritius | $4.2M | 4.3% |
| Zambia | $3.7M | 3.7% |
| Mozambique | $3.6M | 3.7% |
| United States | $3.4M | 3.4% |
| Lesotho | $3.3M | 3.3% |
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 9018: Instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences, including scintigraphic apparatus, other electro-medical apparatus and sight testing instruments.
Common questions
What is the value of medical instruments imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported medical instruments worth $682.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 67.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 38th of 226 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 12% on 2023.
Which countries supply medical instruments to South Africa?
The United States was the largest supplier with 23% of the value ($159.3 million), followed by China (13%) and Germany (11%). The top three together account for 48%, out of 125 supplier countries in total. The Netherlands grew fastest among the top ten, up 88% on the year.
What is the average import price of medical instruments per kg?
The average declared import value was about $10.11 per kg in 2024, 73% below the world average of $37.39 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 medical instruments to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $553.3 million in 2017 to $682.1 million in 2024, an increase of 23%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export medical instruments?
Yes. South Africa exported $99.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $582.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for medical instruments?
The HS code for medical instruments is heading 9018. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 9018.90 (57% of the value) and 9018.39 (17%). It sits in HS chapter 90 (optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 9018 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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