Metal press imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported metal press worth $82.9 million (17.2 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 37% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2021, at $118.1 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 | $82.9M | 17.2K t |
| 2023 | $60.4M | 9.9K t |
| 2022 | $42.8M | 9.2K t |
| 2021 | $118.1M | 7.4K t |
| 2020 | $47.3M | 9.4K t |
| 2019 | $54.0M | 10.3K t |
| 2018 | $56.8M | 4.3K t |
| 2017 | $60.8M | 20.4K t |
Where South Africa imports metal press from
Most of the value came from China (39%), United Kingdom (12%), Italy (10%). Among the main suppliers, United Kingdom grew fastest (+428% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $32.7M | 39% |
| United Kingdom | $9.9M | 12% |
| Italy | $8.7M | 11% |
| United States | $7.0M | 8.4% |
| Germany | $5.1M | 6.1% |
| Turkey | $3.3M | 4% |
| South Korea | $3.1M | 3.8% |
| Taiwan | $2.6M | 3.2% |
| Belgium | $2.3M | 2.7% |
| Switzerland | $1.6M | 1.9% |
Product types under HS 8462
| 8462.21 | Machine-tools: bending, folding, straightening or flattening machines (including presses), numerically controlled, for working metal | 34% |
| 8462.29 | Machine-tools: bending, folding, straightening or flattening machines (including presses), (other than numerically controlled), for working metal | 25% |
| 8462.99 | Machine-tools: presses for working metal or metal carbides, n.e.c. in heading no. 8462, other than hydraulic presses | 19% |
| 8462.10 | Machine-tools: forging or die-stamping machines (including presses) and hammers, for working metal | 11% |
| 8462.39 | Machine-tools: shearing machines (including presses), (other than combined punching and shearing machines, other than numerically controlled), for… | 6.9% |
| 8462.49 | Machine-tools: punching or notching machines (including presses), including combined punching and shearing machines, (not numerically controlled)… | 3.3% |
| 8462.91 | Machine-tools: presses for working metal or metal carbides, n.e.c. in heading no. 8462, hydraulic presses | 1% |
| 8462.31 | Machine-tools: shearing machines (including presses), (other than combined punching and shearing machines), numerically controlled, for working metal | 0.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8462.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.82 per kg, 34% below the world average of $7.35, 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.
Metal press exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $11.8 million of metal press in 2024 (3.2 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Spain (33%), Germany (17%), Australia (8%). Among the main buyer markets, Germany grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | $3.9M | 33% |
| Germany | $2.0M | 17% |
| Australia | $921K | 7.8% |
| Namibia | $637K | 5.4% |
| United Kingdom | $515K | 4.4% |
| India | $469K | 4% |
| Zimbabwe | $424K | 3.6% |
| United States | $411K | 3.5% |
| Zambia | $404K | 3.4% |
| Botswana | $399K | 3.4% |
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 8462: Machine-tools (including presses) for working metal by forging, hammering or die forging (excluding rolling mills); machine-tools (including presses, slitting lines and cut-to-length lines) for working metal by bending, folding, straightening, flattening,.
Common questions
What is the value of metal press imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported metal press worth $82.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 17.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 33rd of 215 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 37% on 2023.
Which countries supply metal press to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 39% of the value ($32.7 million), followed by the United Kingdom (12%) and Italy (10%). The top three together account for 62%, out of 51 supplier countries in total. The United Kingdom grew fastest among the top ten, up 428% on the year.
What is the average import price of metal press per kg?
The average declared import value was about $4.82 per kg in 2024, 34% below the world average of $7.35 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 metal press to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $60.8 million in 2017 to $82.9 million in 2024, an increase of 36%. The peak was 2021 at $118.1 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export metal press?
Yes. South Africa exported $11.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Spain, Germany and Australia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $71.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for metal press?
The HS code for metal press is heading 8462. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8462.21 (34% of the value) and 8462.29 (25%). 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 8462 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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