Oil transformers medium imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of oil transformers medium by South Africa reached $18.1 million in 2024 (3.7 thousand tonnes). Value rose 9% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 10% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $37.5 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 | $18.1M | 3.7K t |
| 2023 | $16.7M | 2.0K t |
| 2022 | $8.2M | 1.3K t |
| 2021 | $5.1M | 855 t |
| 2020 | $3.9M | 634 t |
| 2019 | $17.0M | 3.2K t |
| 2018 | $14.4M | 2.5K t |
| 2017 | $37.5M | 6.4K t |
Where South Africa imports oil transformers medium from
China alone supplied 64% of it. Among the main suppliers, Belgium grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $11.5M | 64% |
| Thailand | $2.1M | 11% |
| Belgium | $1.5M | 8.2% |
| Brazil | $1.2M | 6.5% |
| Spain | $722K | 4% |
| India | $328K | 1.8% |
| Italy | $272K | 1.5% |
| Lesotho | $253K | 1.4% |
| Turkey | $179K | 1% |
| Germany | $72K | 0.4% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.92 per kg, 37% below the world average of $7.83, 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.
Oil transformers medium exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported oil transformers medium worth $8.7 million (1.1 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Zimbabwe (22%), DR Congo (16%), United States (13%). Among the main buyer markets, Mozambique grew fastest (+566% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $1.9M | 22% |
| DR Congo | $1.4M | 16% |
| United States | $1.1M | 13% |
| Ireland | $927K | 11% |
| Mozambique | $895K | 10% |
| Zambia | $663K | 7.6% |
| Lesotho | $462K | 5.3% |
| Botswana | $352K | 4.1% |
| Namibia | $262K | 3% |
| Cote d'Ivoire | $134K | 1.5% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa oil transformers medium imports (HS 8504.22): 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 8504.22: Electrical transformers: liquid dielectric, having a power handling capacity exceeding 650kVA but not exceeding 10,000kVA.
Common questions
What is the value of oil transformers medium imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported oil transformers medium worth $18.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 3.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 46th of 196 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 9% on 2023.
Which countries supply oil transformers medium to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 64% of the value ($11.5 million), followed by Thailand (11%) and Belgium (8%). The top three together account for 83%, out of 13 supplier countries in total. Spain grew fastest among the top ten, up 808% on the year.
What is the average import price of oil transformers medium per kg?
The average declared import value was about $4.92 per kg in 2024, 37% below the world average of $7.83 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of oil transformers medium to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $37.5 million in 2017 to $18.1 million in 2024, a fall of 52%. The peak was 2017 at $37.5 million. Over 8 years the average was $15.1 million a year.
Does South Africa also export oil transformers medium?
Yes. South Africa exported $8.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zimbabwe, the DR Congo and the United States. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $9.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for oil transformers medium?
The HS code for oil transformers medium is subheading 8504.22. 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 8504 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
World oil transformers medium trade: top importers and exporters
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