Petrol generator sets imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $10.9 million of petrol generator sets in 2024 (1.4 thousand tonnes). Value fell 79% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2023, at $51.1 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 | $10.9M | 1.4K t |
| 2023 | $51.1M | 4.6K t |
| 2022 | $35.2M | 3.3K t |
| 2021 | $20.9M | 2.1K t |
| 2020 | $22.3M | 2.3K t |
| 2019 | $19.8M | 2.6K t |
| 2018 | $10.6M | 906 t |
| 2017 | $8.3M | 705 t |
Where South Africa imports petrol generator sets from
China alone supplied 58% of it. Among the main suppliers, Netherlands grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $6.3M | 58% |
| Austria | $2.6M | 24% |
| Germany | $1.1M | 10% |
| Netherlands | $383K | 3.5% |
| Spain | $318K | 2.9% |
| Japan | $51K | 0.5% |
| United States | $28K | 0.3% |
| Ghana | $19K | 0.2% |
| Thailand | $11K | 0.1% |
| Lesotho | $6K | 0.1% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $8.03 per kg, close to the world average of $9.94.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Petrol generator sets exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $5.9 million of petrol generator sets in 2024 (472 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Zimbabwe (36%), Mozambique (29%), Zambia (18%). Among the main buyer markets, Mozambique grew fastest (+401% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $2.1M | 36% |
| Mozambique | $1.7M | 29% |
| Zambia | $1.1M | 18% |
| Botswana | $288K | 4.9% |
| Namibia | $243K | 4.1% |
| DR Congo | $93K | 1.6% |
| Tanzania | $78K | 1.3% |
| Lesotho | $54K | 0.9% |
| Malawi | $54K | 0.9% |
| Eswatini | $37K | 0.6% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa petrol generator sets imports (HS 8502.20): 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 8502.20: Electric generating sets: with spark-ignition internal combustion piston engines.
Common questions
What is the value of petrol generator sets imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported petrol generator sets worth $10.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 60th of 215 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 79% on 2023.
Which countries supply petrol generator sets to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 58% of the value ($6.3 million), followed by Austria (24%) and Germany (10%). The top three together account for 92%, out of 23 supplier countries in total. Germany grew fastest among the top ten, up 187% on the year.
What is the average import price of petrol generator sets per kg?
The average declared import value was about $8.03 per kg in 2024, 19% below the world average of $9.94 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of petrol generator sets to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $8.3 million in 2017 to $10.9 million in 2024, an increase of 31%. The peak was 2023 at $51.1 million. Over 8 years the average was $22.4 million a year.
Does South Africa also export petrol generator sets?
Yes. South Africa exported $5.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Zambia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $5.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for petrol generator sets?
The HS code for petrol generator sets is subheading 8502.20. 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 8502 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 petrol generator sets trade: top importers and exporters
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