Phones and network equipment imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of phones and network equipment by South Africa reached $3.32 billion in 2024 (12.2 thousand tonnes). That is close to the 2023 level. 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 | $3.32B | 12.2K t |
| 2023 | $3.25B | 11.4K t |
| 2022 | $3.58B | 10.9K t |
| 2021 | $3.05B | 11.0K t |
| 2020 | $2.47B | 10.4K t |
| 2019 | $3.10B | 14.8K t |
| 2018 | $3.36B | 13.7K t |
| 2017 | $3.14B | 13.5K t |
Where South Africa imports phones and network equipment from
China alone supplied 65% of it. Among the main suppliers, United States grew fastest (+157% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $2.16B | 65% |
| Vietnam | $350.5M | 11% |
| India | $207.9M | 6.3% |
| United States | $114.2M | 3.4% |
| Taiwan | $100.1M | 3% |
| Hong Kong | $75.3M | 2.3% |
| Germany | $46.1M | 1.4% |
| United Kingdom | $45.4M | 1.4% |
| Thailand | $34.4M | 1% |
| Mexico | $23.6M | 0.7% |
Product types under HS 8517
| 8517.12 | Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks | 60% |
| 8517.62 | Communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of… | 31% |
| 8517.70 | Telephone sets and other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data, via a wired or wireless network: parts | 7.9% |
| 8517.69 | Communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data… | 1.2% |
| 8517.61 | Base stations | 0.3% |
| 8517.18 | Telephone sets n.e.c. in item no. 8517.1 | 0.2% |
| 8517.11 | Line telephone sets with cordless handsets | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8517.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $272.31 per kg, close to the world average of $239.13.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Phones and network equipment exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported phones and network equipment worth $304.0 million (1.4 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Namibia (20%), Botswana (12%), Hungary (6%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 38%. Among the main buyer markets, Hungary grew fastest (+151% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $60.9M | 20% |
| Botswana | $36.1M | 12% |
| Hungary | $19.4M | 6.4% |
| Netherlands | $17.9M | 5.9% |
| United Arab Emirates | $16.9M | 5.6% |
| Zimbabwe | $12.4M | 4.1% |
| Hong Kong | $11.4M | 3.8% |
| United States | $11.3M | 3.7% |
| Eswatini | $10.7M | 3.5% |
| Zambia | $9.0M | 3% |
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 8517: Telephone sets, including smartphones and other telephones for cellular/wireless networks; other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data (including wired/wireless networks), excluding items of 8443, 8525, 8527, or 8528.
Common questions
What is the value of phones and network equipment imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported phones and network equipment worth $3.32 billion in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 12.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 36th of 226 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 2% on 2023.
Which countries supply phones and network equipment to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 65% of the value ($2.16 billion), followed by Vietnam (11%) and India (6%). The top three together account for 82%, out of 127 supplier countries in total. The United States grew fastest among the top ten, up 157% on the year.
What is the average import price of phones and network equipment per kg?
The average declared import value was about $272.31 per kg in 2024, 14% above the world average of $239.13 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 phones and network equipment to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $3.14 billion in 2017 to $3.32 billion in 2024, an increase of 6%. The peak was 2022 at $3.58 billion. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export phones and network equipment?
Yes. South Africa exported $304.0 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Botswana and Hungary. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $3.02 billion a year.
What is the HS code for phones and network equipment?
The HS code for phones and network equipment is heading 8517. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8517.12 (60% of the value) and 8517.62 (31%). 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 8517 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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