Non-petroleum lubricant imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of non-petroleum lubricant by South Africa reached $33.2 million in 2024 (7.8 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value fell 4% from 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 | $33.2M | 7.8K t |
| 2023 | $34.7M | 5.7K t |
| 2022 | $37.2M | 8.8K t |
| 2021 | $33.3M | 6.9K t |
| 2020 | $30.2M | 6.2K t |
| 2019 | $34.2M | 7.6K t |
| 2018 | $33.4M | 6.5K t |
| 2017 | $28.9M | 5.9K t |
Where South Africa imports non-petroleum lubricant from
The largest suppliers were Germany (21%), United States (16%), France (14%). Among the main suppliers, India grew fastest (+66% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | $7.1M | 22% |
| United States | $5.2M | 16% |
| France | $4.5M | 14% |
| Italy | $2.3M | 7% |
| Netherlands | $2.1M | 6.2% |
| United Kingdom | $1.8M | 5.5% |
| China | $1.7M | 5.2% |
| Belgium | $1.3M | 3.9% |
| India | $833K | 2.5% |
| Spain | $829K | 2.5% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.27 per kg, 27% below the world average of $5.82, 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.
Non-petroleum lubricant exports from South Africa
Exports of non-petroleum lubricant by South Africa reached $13.6 million in 2024 (2.7 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Namibia (15%), DR Congo (12%), Zimbabwe (11%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 38%.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $2.1M | 15% |
| DR Congo | $1.6M | 12% |
| Zimbabwe | $1.5M | 11% |
| Zambia | $1.5M | 11% |
| Botswana | $1.3M | 9.4% |
| Mozambique | $1.2M | 8.6% |
| Tanzania | $594K | 4.4% |
| Angola | $382K | 2.8% |
| Lesotho | $297K | 2.2% |
| Mexico | $285K | 2.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa non-petroleum lubricant imports (HS 3403.99): 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 3403.99: Lubricating preparations: other than for the treatment of textile and similar materials, not containing petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals.
Common questions
What is the value of non-petroleum lubricant imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported non-petroleum lubricant worth $33.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 7.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 36th of 223 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 4% on 2023.
Which countries supply non-petroleum lubricant to South Africa?
Germany was the largest supplier with 21% of the value ($7.1 million), followed by the United States (16%) and France (14%). The top three together account for 51%, out of 86 supplier countries in total. India grew fastest among the top ten, up 66% on the year.
What is the average import price of non-petroleum lubricant per kg?
The average declared import value was about $4.27 per kg in 2024, 27% below the world average of $5.82 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-petroleum lubricant to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $28.9 million in 2017 to $33.2 million in 2024, an increase of 15%. The peak was 2022 at $37.2 million. Over 8 years the average was $33.1 million a year.
Does South Africa also export non-petroleum lubricant?
Yes. South Africa exported $13.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, the DR Congo and Zimbabwe. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $19.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for non-petroleum lubricant?
The HS code for non-petroleum lubricant is subheading 3403.99. It sits in HS chapter 34 (soap, organic surface-active agents; washing, lubricating, polishing or scouring preparations; artificial or prepared waxes, candles and similar articles, modelling pastes, dental waxes and dental preparations with a basis of plaster). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3403 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-petroleum lubricant trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
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