Medical sterilizers imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of medical sterilizers by South Africa reached $5.3 million in 2024 (127 tonnes). That is 11% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2019, at $8.9 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
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Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $5.3M | 127 t |
| 2023 | $6.0M | 88 t |
| 2022 | $5.9M | 92 t |
| 2021 | $7.8M | 118 t |
| 2020 | $6.6M | 109 t |
| 2019 | $8.9M | 163 t |
| 2018 | $4.5M | 77 t |
| 2017 | $5.1M | 93 t |
Where South Africa imports medical sterilizers from
Most of the value came from China (31%), Finland (20%), Denmark (7%). Among the main suppliers, Turkey grew fastest (+225% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $1.7M | 31% |
| Finland | $1.1M | 20% |
| Denmark | $375K | 7% |
| Indonesia | $316K | 5.9% |
| Mexico | $279K | 5.2% |
| Germany | $221K | 4.1% |
| Taiwan | $216K | 4% |
| Italy | $214K | 4% |
| Turkey | $184K | 3.4% |
| Japan | $170K | 3.2% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $42.00 per kg, close to the world average of $50.71.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Medical sterilizers exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $1.2 million of medical sterilizers in 2024 (23 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Lesotho (38%), Zimbabwe (13%), Namibia (7%). Among the main buyer markets, Angola grew fastest (+443% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Lesotho | $462K | 38% |
| Zimbabwe | $160K | 13% |
| Namibia | $91K | 7.5% |
| Mozambique | $89K | 7.3% |
| Malawi | $60K | 4.9% |
| Eswatini | $59K | 4.8% |
| Zambia | $59K | 4.8% |
| Angola | $44K | 3.6% |
| Qatar | $32K | 2.6% |
| Botswana | $31K | 2.5% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa medical sterilizers imports (HS 8419.20): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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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 8419.20: Sterilizers: for medical, surgical or laboratory use, not used for domestic purposes.
Common questions
What is the value of medical sterilizers imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported medical sterilizers worth $5.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 127 tonnes. That ranks it 50th of 209 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 11% on 2023.
Which countries supply medical sterilizers to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 31% of the value ($1.7 million), followed by Finland (20%) and Denmark (7%). The top three together account for 58%, out of 32 supplier countries in total. Turkey grew fastest among the top ten, up 225% on the year.
What is the average import price of medical sterilizers per kg?
The average declared import value was about $42.00 per kg in 2024, 17% below the world average of $50.71 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of medical sterilizers to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $5.1 million in 2017 to $5.3 million in 2024, an increase of 5%. The peak was 2019 at $8.9 million. Over 8 years the average was $6.3 million a year.
Does South Africa also export medical sterilizers?
Yes. South Africa exported $1.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Namibia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $4.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for medical sterilizers?
The HS code for medical sterilizers is subheading 8419.20. 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 8419 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
World medical sterilizers trade: top importers and exporters
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