Microphone imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $237.1 million of microphone in 2024 (14.4 thousand tonnes). Value rose 31% 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 | $237.1M | 14.4K t |
| 2023 | $181.6M | 4.4K t |
| 2022 | $196.9M | 6.4K t |
| 2021 | $194.6M | 6.2K t |
| 2020 | $143.6M | 4.6K t |
| 2019 | $167.7M | 5.4K t |
| 2018 | $173.9M | 5.9K t |
| 2017 | $147.4M | 6.9K t |
Where South Africa imports microphone from
China alone supplied 63% of it. Among the main suppliers, Germany grew fastest (+154% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $149.2M | 63% |
| Vietnam | $29.7M | 13% |
| Germany | $17.2M | 7.3% |
| United States | $7.7M | 3.3% |
| Hong Kong | $3.7M | 1.6% |
| Mexico | $3.2M | 1.3% |
| Thailand | $3.1M | 1.3% |
| Netherlands | $3.1M | 1.3% |
| Poland | $2.2M | 0.9% |
| Italy | $2.0M | 0.8% |
Product types under HS 8518
| 8518.30 | Headphones and earphones, whether or not combined with a microphone, and sets consisting of a microphone and one or more loudspeakers | 39% |
| 8518.22 | Loudspeakers: multiple, mounted in the same enclosure | 19% |
| 8518.29 | Loudspeakers: not mounted in their enclosures | 15% |
| 8518.21 | Loudspeakers: single, mounted in their enclosures | 9.3% |
| 8518.40 | Amplifiers: audio-frequency electric | 8% |
| 8518.10 | Microphones and stands therefor | 6.6% |
| 8518.90 | Microphones, headphones, earphones, amplifier equipment: parts of the equipment of heading no. 8518 | 1.9% |
| 8518.50 | Amplifier sets: electric sound | 1.6% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8518.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $16.52 per kg, 55% below the world average of $36.80, 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.
Microphone exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $24.7 million of microphone in 2024 (3.8 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Botswana (23%), Namibia (20%), Eswatini (8%). Among the main buyer markets, China grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $5.7M | 23% |
| Namibia | $5.0M | 20% |
| Eswatini | $2.0M | 8.1% |
| Lesotho | $1.7M | 6.9% |
| Zambia | $1.3M | 5.4% |
| China | $902K | 3.7% |
| Mozambique | $696K | 2.8% |
| Nigeria | $683K | 2.8% |
| DR Congo | $646K | 2.6% |
| Zimbabwe | $605K | 2.5% |
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 8518: Microphones and their stands; loudspeakers, mounted or not in their enclosures; headphones and earphones, combined or not with a microphone, and sets of a microphone and one or more loudspeakers; audio-frequency and electric sound amplifiers and sets.
Common questions
What is the value of microphone imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported microphone worth $237.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 14.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 38th of 224 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 31% on 2023.
Which countries supply microphone to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 63% of the value ($149.2 million), followed by Vietnam (13%) and Germany (7%). The top three together account for 83%, out of 97 supplier countries in total. The Netherlands grew fastest among the top ten, up 437% on the year.
What is the average import price of microphone per kg?
The average declared import value was about $16.52 per kg in 2024, 55% below the world average of $36.80 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 microphone to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $147.4 million in 2017 to $237.1 million in 2024, an increase of 61%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export microphone?
Yes. South Africa exported $24.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Botswana, Namibia and Eswatini. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $212.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for microphone?
The HS code for microphone is heading 8518. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8518.30 (39% of the value) and 8518.22 (19%). 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 8518 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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