Non-metal permanent magnets imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of non-metal permanent magnets by South Africa reached $3.3 million in 2024 (684 tonnes). That is 4% 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 | $3.3M | 684 t |
| 2023 | $3.2M | 791 t |
| 2022 | $3.7M | 1.0K t |
| 2021 | $3.3M | 806 t |
| 2020 | $2.2M | 759 t |
| 2019 | $3.1M | 906 t |
| 2018 | $3.2M | 901 t |
| 2017 | $3.1M | 842 t |
Where South Africa imports non-metal permanent magnets from
China alone supplied 56% of it. Among the main suppliers, United Kingdom grew fastest (+141% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $1.8M | 56% |
| Germany | $419K | 13% |
| Italy | $210K | 6.4% |
| Canada | $148K | 4.5% |
| Japan | $135K | 4.1% |
| United States | $98K | 3% |
| United Kingdom | $98K | 3% |
| Vietnam | $75K | 2.3% |
| South Korea | $70K | 2.1% |
| Netherlands | $62K | 1.9% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.83 per kg, close to the world average of $5.64.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Non-metal permanent magnets exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported non-metal permanent magnets worth $1.6 million (109 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Botswana (22%), Tanzania (17%), DR Congo (13%). Among the main buyer markets, Cote d'Ivoire grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $340K | 22% |
| Tanzania | $270K | 17% |
| DR Congo | $195K | 13% |
| Namibia | $147K | 9.5% |
| Australia | $126K | 8.1% |
| Cote d'Ivoire | $88K | 5.7% |
| South Korea | $70K | 4.5% |
| Mozambique | $65K | 4.2% |
| Zimbabwe | $47K | 3.1% |
| Sweden | $45K | 2.9% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa non-metal permanent magnets imports (HS 8505.19): 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 8505.19: Magnets: permanent magnets and articles intended to become permanent magnets after magnetisation, other than of metal.
Common questions
What is the value of non-metal permanent magnets imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported non-metal permanent magnets worth $3.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 684 tonnes. That ranks it 47th of 203 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 4% on 2023.
Which countries supply non-metal permanent magnets to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 56% of the value ($1.8 million), followed by Germany (13%) and Italy (6%). The top three together account for 75%, out of 53 supplier countries in total. The Netherlands grew fastest among the top ten, up 737% on the year.
What is the average import price of non-metal permanent magnets per kg?
The average declared import value was about $4.83 per kg in 2024, 14% below the world average of $5.64 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of non-metal permanent magnets to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $3.1 million in 2017 to $3.3 million in 2024, an increase of 5%. The peak was 2022 at $3.7 million. Over 8 years the average was $3.1 million a year.
Does South Africa also export non-metal permanent magnets?
Yes. South Africa exported $1.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Botswana, Tanzania and the DR Congo. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $1.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for non-metal permanent magnets?
The HS code for non-metal permanent magnets is subheading 8505.19. 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 8505 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for South Africa. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World non-metal permanent magnets trade: top importers and exporters
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