Office machine imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of office machine by South Africa reached $58.1 million in 2024 (21.1 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value fell 32% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2023, at $86.0 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 | $58.1M | 21.1K t |
| 2023 | $86.0M | 19.3K t |
| 2022 | $77.7M | 3.7K t |
| 2021 | $79.6M | 3.2K t |
| 2020 | $64.3M | 2.6K t |
| 2019 | $62.6M | 2.9K t |
| 2018 | $64.6M | 2.9K t |
| 2017 | $57.5M | 1.8K t |
Where South Africa imports office machine from
The largest suppliers were Germany (30%), India (20%), China (14%). Among the main suppliers, Thailand grew fastest (+752% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | $17.3M | 30% |
| India | $11.6M | 20% |
| China | $8.4M | 14% |
| Thailand | $5.0M | 8.6% |
| Italy | $4.6M | 7.9% |
| Vietnam | $2.6M | 4.4% |
| South Korea | $2.5M | 4.3% |
| United Kingdom | $1.2M | 2% |
| Japan | $1.1M | 1.9% |
| Poland | $978K | 1.7% |
Product types under HS 8472
| 8472.90 | Office machines: not elsewhere classified | 90% |
| 8472.10 | Office machines: duplicating machines | 9.1% |
| 8472.30 | Office machines: for sorting or folding mail or for inserting mail in envelopes or bands, machines for opening, closing or sealing mail and machines… | 0.8% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8472.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.76 per kg, 75% below the world average of $11.14, 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.
Office machine exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported office machine worth $10.6 million (1.6 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Namibia (18%), Eswatini (15%), Lesotho (12%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 44%. Among the main buyer markets, Romania grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $1.8M | 18% |
| Eswatini | $1.6M | 15% |
| Lesotho | $1.3M | 12% |
| Mozambique | $905K | 8.6% |
| Botswana | $685K | 6.5% |
| Kenya | $604K | 5.7% |
| Zimbabwe | $533K | 5.1% |
| Hungary | $355K | 3.4% |
| Philippines | $315K | 3% |
| Romania | $306K | 2.9% |
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 8472: Office machines; not elsewhere classified.
Common questions
What is the value of office machine imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported office machine worth $58.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 21.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 19th of 218 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 32% on 2023.
Which countries supply office machine to South Africa?
Germany was the largest supplier with 30% of the value ($17.3 million), followed by India (20%) and China (14%). The top three together account for 64%, out of 47 supplier countries in total. Thailand grew fastest among the top ten, up 752% on the year.
What is the average import price of office machine per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.76 per kg in 2024, 75% below the world average of $11.14 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 office machine to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $57.5 million in 2017 to $58.1 million in 2024, an increase of 1%. The peak was 2023 at $86.0 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export office machine?
Yes. South Africa exported $10.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Eswatini and Lesotho. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $47.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for office machine?
The HS code for office machine is heading 8472. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8472.90 (90% of the value) and 8472.10 (9%). 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 8472 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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