Plastic molding machine imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $228.6 million of plastic molding machine in 2024 (15.1 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 19% 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 | $228.6M | 15.1K t |
| 2023 | $191.9M | 11.0K t |
| 2022 | $150.2M | 9.2K t |
| 2021 | $177.9M | 11.3K t |
| 2020 | $156.5M | 18.6K t |
| 2019 | $186.5M | 12.0K t |
| 2018 | $170.5M | 8.0K t |
| 2017 | $206.6M | 11.8K t |
Where South Africa imports plastic molding machine from
Most of the value came from China (29%), Italy (20%), Germany (13%). Among the main suppliers, Luxembourg grew fastest (+973% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $65.5M | 29% |
| Italy | $46.3M | 20% |
| Germany | $29.4M | 13% |
| Austria | $14.7M | 6.4% |
| Japan | $11.3M | 4.9% |
| Luxembourg | $10.9M | 4.8% |
| India | $9.7M | 4.2% |
| Turkey | $7.3M | 3.2% |
| Taiwan | $6.1M | 2.7% |
| Switzerland | $4.7M | 2.1% |
Product types under HS 8477
| 8477.80 | Machinery: for working rubber or plastics or for the manufacture of products from these materials, n.e.c. in this chapter | 25% |
| 8477.90 | Machinery: parts of the machines of heading no. 8477, n.e.c. in item no. 8477.90 | 23% |
| 8477.10 | Machinery: injection-moulding machines, for working rubber or plastics or for the manufacture of products from these materials | 17% |
| 8477.20 | Machinery: extruders, for working rubber or plastics or for the manufacture of products from these materials | 14% |
| 8477.30 | Machinery: blow moulding machines, for working rubber or plastics or for the manufacture of products from these materials | 9.5% |
| 8477.59 | Machinery: for moulding or forming, for working rubber or plastics or for the manufacture of products from these materials, n.e.c. in this chapter | 9.2% |
| 8477.51 | Machinery: for moulding or retreading pneumatic tyres or for moulding or otherwise forming inner tubes | 1.5% |
| 8477.40 | Machinery: vacuum moulding machines and other thermoforming machines, for working rubber or plastics or for the manufacture of products from these… | 1.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8477.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $15.15 per kg, close to the world average of $13.91.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Plastic molding machine exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported plastic molding machine worth $20.1 million (1.5 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were United States (22%), Zambia (14%), Germany (14%). Among the main buyer markets, United Arab Emirates grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $4.5M | 22% |
| Zambia | $2.9M | 14% |
| Germany | $2.9M | 14% |
| Zimbabwe | $1.5M | 7.7% |
| United Kingdom | $936K | 4.7% |
| Turkey | $910K | 4.5% |
| Malawi | $896K | 4.5% |
| United Arab Emirates | $717K | 3.6% |
| Angola | $421K | 2.1% |
| Botswana | $293K | 1.5% |
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 8477: Machinery; for working rubber or plastics or for the manufacture of products from these materials, n.e.c. in this chapter.
Common questions
What is the value of plastic molding machine imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported plastic molding machine worth $228.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 15.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 33rd of 219 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 19% on 2023.
Which countries supply plastic molding machine to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 29% of the value ($65.5 million), followed by Italy (20%) and Germany (13%). The top three together account for 62%, out of 79 supplier countries in total. Luxembourg grew fastest among the top ten, up 973% on the year.
What is the average import price of plastic molding machine per kg?
The average declared import value was about $15.15 per kg in 2024, 9% above the world average of $13.91 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 plastic molding machine to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $206.6 million in 2017 to $228.6 million in 2024, an increase of 11%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export plastic molding machine?
Yes. South Africa exported $20.1 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the United States, Zambia and Germany. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $208.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for plastic molding machine?
The HS code for plastic molding machine is heading 8477. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8477.80 (25% of the value) and 8477.90 (23%). 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 8477 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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