Optical fiber connectors imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of optical fiber connectors by South Africa reached $9.7 million in 2024 (335 tonnes). Value rose 16% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 6% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $14.8 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 | $9.7M | 335 t |
| 2023 | $8.3M | 397 t |
| 2022 | $9.6M | 392 t |
| 2021 | $13.1M | 522 t |
| 2020 | $7.9M | 584 t |
| 2019 | $7.0M | 304 t |
| 2018 | $7.2M | 263 t |
| 2017 | $14.8M | 342 t |
Where South Africa imports optical fiber connectors from
Most of the value came from China (43%), United Kingdom (11%), Mexico (10%). Among the main suppliers, Mexico grew fastest (+325% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $4.1M | 43% |
| United Kingdom | $1.1M | 11% |
| Mexico | $963K | 10% |
| Czech Republic | $770K | 8% |
| United States | $573K | 5.9% |
| Germany | $471K | 4.9% |
| Taiwan | $271K | 2.8% |
| Switzerland | $233K | 2.4% |
| Poland | $227K | 2.3% |
| Spain | $184K | 1.9% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $28.84 per kg, 32% below the world average of $42.45, 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.
Optical fiber connectors exports from South Africa
Exports of optical fiber connectors by South Africa reached $3.9 million in 2024 (261 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were United Kingdom (28%), Botswana (27%), Namibia (10%). Among the main buyer markets, Singapore grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $1.1M | 28% |
| Botswana | $1.1M | 27% |
| Namibia | $393K | 10% |
| Zimbabwe | $379K | 9.8% |
| Lesotho | $157K | 4% |
| DR Congo | $152K | 3.9% |
| Ghana | $146K | 3.8% |
| Singapore | $98K | 2.5% |
| Eswatini | $96K | 2.5% |
| Mozambique | $87K | 2.2% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa optical fiber connectors imports (HS 8536.70): 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 8536.70: Connectors for optical fibres, optical fibre bundles or cables.
Common questions
What is the value of optical fiber connectors imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported optical fiber connectors worth $9.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 335 tonnes. That ranks it 43rd of 216 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 16% on 2023.
Which countries supply optical fiber connectors to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 43% of the value ($4.1 million), followed by the United Kingdom (11%) and Mexico (10%). The top three together account for 64%, out of 53 supplier countries in total. Mexico grew fastest among the top ten, up 325% on the year.
What is the average import price of optical fiber connectors per kg?
The average declared import value was about $28.84 per kg in 2024, 32% below the world average of $42.45 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of optical fiber connectors to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $14.8 million in 2017 to $9.7 million in 2024, a fall of 35%. The peak was 2017 at $14.8 million. Over 8 years the average was $9.7 million a year.
Does South Africa also export optical fiber connectors?
Yes. South Africa exported $3.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the United Kingdom, Botswana and Namibia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $5.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for optical fiber connectors?
The HS code for optical fiber connectors is subheading 8536.70. 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 8536 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For South Africa, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World optical fiber connectors trade: top importers and exporters
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