Paper cutter imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported paper cutter worth $84.5 million (4.2 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 3% 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 | $84.5M | 4.2K t |
| 2023 | $81.7M | 5.1K t |
| 2022 | $66.8M | 3.0K t |
| 2021 | $58.1M | 2.3K t |
| 2020 | $62.2M | 2.7K t |
| 2019 | $79.5M | 4.1K t |
| 2018 | $93.6M | 4.1K t |
| 2017 | $63.7M | 3.0K t |
Where South Africa imports paper cutter from
Most of the value came from China (27%), Italy (19%), Taiwan (9%). Among the main suppliers, Japan grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $22.4M | 27% |
| Italy | $16.3M | 19% |
| Taiwan | $7.3M | 8.7% |
| Germany | $6.8M | 8% |
| France | $6.3M | 7.5% |
| Japan | $4.6M | 5.5% |
| Netherlands | $3.4M | 4% |
| Switzerland | $2.8M | 3.3% |
| United States | $2.7M | 3.2% |
| South Korea | $1.8M | 2.2% |
Product types under HS 8441
| 8441.30 | Machines: for making cartons, boxes, cases, tubes, drums or similar containers (other than by moulding), of paper pulp, paper or paperboard | 28% |
| 8441.80 | Machinery: n.e.c. in heading no. 8441, for making up paper pulp, paper or paperboard | 27% |
| 8441.90 | Machinery: parts of machinery for making up paper pulp, paper or paperboard, including cutting machines of all kinds | 17% |
| 8441.10 | Machines: cutting, of all kinds, for making up paper pulp, paper or paperboard | 17% |
| 8441.20 | Machines: for making bags, sacks or envelopes of paper pulp, paper or paperboard | 7.5% |
| 8441.40 | Machines: for moulding articles, in paper pulp, paper or paperboard | 3.8% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8441.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $20.31 per kg, close to the world average of $18.97.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Paper cutter exports from South Africa
Exports of paper cutter by South Africa reached $10.1 million in 2024 (665 tonnes). Most of it went to United States (26%), United Kingdom (16%), Zimbabwe (15%). Among the main buyer markets, United Kingdom grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $2.6M | 26% |
| United Kingdom | $1.6M | 16% |
| Zimbabwe | $1.6M | 16% |
| Canada | $1.0M | 10% |
| Germany | $674K | 6.7% |
| Botswana | $424K | 4.2% |
| Eswatini | $345K | 3.4% |
| Namibia | $240K | 2.4% |
| Egypt | $211K | 2.1% |
| Belgium | $175K | 1.7% |
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 8441: Machines; for making up paper pulp, paper or paperboard, including cutting machines of all kinds.
Common questions
What is the value of paper cutter imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported paper cutter worth $84.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 4.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 24th of 212 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 3% on 2023.
Which countries supply paper cutter to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 27% of the value ($22.4 million), followed by Italy (19%) and Taiwan (9%). The top three together account for 54%, out of 66 supplier countries in total. Taiwan grew fastest among the top ten, up 859% on the year.
What is the average import price of paper cutter per kg?
The average declared import value was about $20.31 per kg in 2024, 7% above the world average of $18.97 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 paper cutter to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $63.7 million in 2017 to $84.5 million in 2024, an increase of 33%. The peak was 2018 at $93.6 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export paper cutter?
Yes. South Africa exported $10.1 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the United States, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $74.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for paper cutter?
The HS code for paper cutter is heading 8441. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8441.30 (28% of the value) and 8441.80 (27%). 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 8441 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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