Piston engine imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported piston engine worth $598.6 million (35.8 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 97% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 14% a year on average.
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 | $598.6M | 35.8K t |
| 2023 | $303.5M | 7.3K t |
| 2022 | $237.9M | 7.5K t |
| 2021 | $237.6M | 8.4K t |
| 2020 | $233.0M | 9.7K t |
| 2019 | $341.2M | 15.3K t |
| 2018 | $350.8M | 13.2K t |
| 2017 | $243.3M | 7.4K t |
Where South Africa imports piston engine from
Germany alone supplied 57% of it. Among the main suppliers, Austria grew fastest (+416% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | $338.9M | 57% |
| Austria | $97.2M | 16% |
| Czech Republic | $43.5M | 7.3% |
| United States | $32.7M | 5.5% |
| Japan | $13.8M | 2.3% |
| Spain | $13.2M | 2.2% |
| Indonesia | $11.0M | 1.8% |
| United Kingdom | $9.1M | 1.5% |
| China | $8.1M | 1.4% |
| United Arab Emirates | $6.6M | 1.1% |
Product types under HS 8407
| 8407.33 | Engines: reciprocating piston engines, of a kind used for the propulsion of vehicles of chapter 87, of a cylinder capacity exceeding 250cc but not… | 51% |
| 8407.34 | Engines: reciprocating piston engines, of a kind used for the propulsion of vehicles of chapter 87, of a cylinder capacity exceeding 1000cc | 38% |
| 8407.10 | Engines: for aircraft, spark-ignition reciprocating or rotary internal combustion piston engines | 7.8% |
| 8407.21 | Engines: outboard motors for marine propulsion, spark-ignition reciprocating or rotary internal combustion piston engines | 2% |
| 8407.90 | Engines: rotary internal combustion piston engines, for other than aircraft or marine propulsion | 1.2% |
| 8407.29 | Engines: for marine propulsion, (other than outboard motors), spark-ignition reciprocating or rotary internal combustion piston engines | 0.1% |
| 8407.32 | Engines: reciprocating piston engines, of a kind used for the propulsion of vehicles of chapter 87, of a cylinder capacity exceeding 50cc but not… | 0.1% |
| 8407.31 | Engines: reciprocating piston engines, of a kind used for the propulsion of vehicles of chapter 87, of a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50cc | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8407.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $16.73 per kg, close to the world average of $17.78.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Piston engine exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $26.7 million of piston engine in 2024 (933 tonnes). Most of it went to United States (21%), Ireland (15%), Botswana (7%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 44%. Among the main buyer markets, Australia grew fastest (+283% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $5.7M | 22% |
| Ireland | $4.1M | 15% |
| Botswana | $2.0M | 7.3% |
| Germany | $1.7M | 6.5% |
| Zambia | $1.4M | 5.1% |
| Seychelles | $1.0M | 3.9% |
| Australia | $952K | 3.6% |
| Namibia | $911K | 3.4% |
| Mozambique | $908K | 3.4% |
| Canada | $792K | 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 8407: Reciprocating or rotary internal combustion piston engines.
Common questions
What is the value of piston engine imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported piston engine worth $598.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 35.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 18th of 224 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 97% on 2023.
Which countries supply piston engine to South Africa?
Germany was the largest supplier with 57% of the value ($338.9 million), followed by Austria (16%) and the Czech Republic (7%). The top three together account for 80%, out of 56 supplier countries in total. Spain grew fastest among the top ten, up 479% on the year.
What is the average import price of piston engine per kg?
The average declared import value was about $16.73 per kg in 2024, 6% below the world average of $17.78 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 piston engine to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $243.3 million in 2017 to $598.6 million in 2024, an increase of 146%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export piston engine?
Yes. South Africa exported $26.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the United States, Ireland and Botswana. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $571.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for piston engine?
The HS code for piston engine is heading 8407. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8407.33 (51% of the value) and 8407.34 (38%). 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 8407 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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