Pliers imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $9.2 million of pliers in 2024 (1.3 thousand tonnes). Value rose 7% on 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 | $9.2M | 1.3K t |
| 2023 | $8.5M | 1.1K t |
| 2022 | $9.9M | 1.3K t |
| 2021 | $10.5M | 1.4K t |
| 2020 | $7.3M | 1.2K t |
| 2019 | $8.9M | 1.3K t |
| 2018 | $10.8M | 1.4K t |
| 2017 | $10.3M | 1.3K t |
Where South Africa imports pliers from
China alone supplied 51% of it. Among the main suppliers, Austria grew fastest (+90% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $4.6M | 51% |
| Taiwan | $1.1M | 12% |
| United States | $968K | 11% |
| Germany | $797K | 8.7% |
| Austria | $370K | 4% |
| France | $298K | 3.2% |
| India | $228K | 2.5% |
| Namibia | $131K | 1.4% |
| Japan | $100K | 1.1% |
| Spain | $78K | 0.9% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $7.19 per kg, 31% below the world average of $10.42, 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.
Pliers exports from South Africa
Exports of pliers by South Africa reached $1.9 million in 2024 (205 tonnes). Most of it went to Zimbabwe (25%), Namibia (24%), Botswana (13%). Among the main buyer markets, Sierra Leone grew fastest (+487% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $485K | 25% |
| Namibia | $462K | 24% |
| Botswana | $255K | 13% |
| Eswatini | $150K | 7.7% |
| Zambia | $111K | 5.7% |
| Mozambique | $95K | 4.9% |
| Lesotho | $52K | 2.7% |
| DR Congo | $49K | 2.5% |
| Sierra Leone | $35K | 1.8% |
| Malawi | $33K | 1.7% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa pliers imports (HS 8203.20): 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 8203.20: Tools, hand: pliers (including cutting pliers), pincers, tweezers and similar tools.
Common questions
What is the value of pliers imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported pliers worth $9.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 47th of 220 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 7% on 2023.
Which countries supply pliers to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 51% of the value ($4.6 million), followed by Taiwan (11%) and the United States (11%). The top three together account for 73%, out of 67 supplier countries in total. Namibia grew fastest among the top ten, up 189% on the year.
What is the average import price of pliers per kg?
The average declared import value was about $7.19 per kg in 2024, 31% below the world average of $10.42 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of pliers to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $10.3 million in 2017 to $9.2 million in 2024, a fall of 11%. The peak was 2018 at $10.8 million. Over 8 years the average was $9.4 million a year.
Does South Africa also export pliers?
Yes. South Africa exported $1.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $7.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for pliers?
The HS code for pliers is subheading 8203.20. It sits in HS chapter 82 (tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal; parts thereof, of base metal). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8203 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
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