Paper finishing machinery imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of paper finishing machinery by South Africa reached $3.0 million in 2024 (2.6 thousand tonnes). That is 18% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 11% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2021, at $8.4 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 | $3.0M | 2.6K t |
| 2023 | $3.6M | 2.3K t |
| 2022 | $5.1M | 266 t |
| 2021 | $8.4M | 540 t |
| 2020 | $3.0M | 201 t |
| 2019 | $5.6M | 245 t |
| 2018 | $6.7M | 275 t |
| 2017 | $6.9M | 333 t |
Where South Africa imports paper finishing machinery from
The largest suppliers were Germany (47%), China (13%), India (12%). Among the main suppliers, Germany grew fastest (+508% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | $1.4M | 47% |
| China | $387K | 13% |
| India | $353K | 12% |
| France | $301K | 10% |
| Spain | $248K | 8.4% |
| Taiwan | $140K | 4.8% |
| Czech Republic | $34K | 1.2% |
| United States | $21K | 0.7% |
| Belgium | $21K | 0.7% |
| South Korea | $14K | 0.5% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.14 per kg, 90% below the world average of $11.57, 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.
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa paper finishing machinery imports (HS 8439.30): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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.
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 8439.30: Machinery: for finishing paper or paperboard.
Common questions
What is the value of paper finishing machinery imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported paper finishing machinery worth $3.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 40th of 170 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 18% on 2023.
Which countries supply paper finishing machinery to South Africa?
Germany was the largest supplier with 47% of the value ($1.4 million), followed by China (13%) and India (12%). The top three together account for 72%, out of 15 supplier countries in total. South Korea grew fastest among the top ten, up 936% on the year.
What is the average import price of paper finishing machinery per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.14 per kg in 2024, 90% below the world average of $11.57 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of paper finishing machinery to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $6.9 million in 2017 to $3.0 million in 2024, a fall of 57%. The peak was 2021 at $8.4 million. Over 8 years the average was $5.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for paper finishing machinery?
The HS code for paper finishing machinery is subheading 8439.30. 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 8439 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 paper finishing machinery trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.