Pocket calculators imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of pocket calculators by South Africa reached $9.6 million in 2024 (534 tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 84% 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 | $9.6M | 534 t |
| 2023 | $5.2M | 144 t |
| 2022 | $6.2M | 174 t |
| 2021 | $4.7M | 165 t |
| 2020 | $6.0M | 190 t |
| 2019 | $6.4M | 215 t |
| 2018 | $7.9M | 265 t |
| 2017 | $7.2M | 278 t |
Where South Africa imports pocket calculators from
China alone supplied 60% of it. Among the main suppliers, Thailand grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $5.8M | 60% |
| Thailand | $3.4M | 35% |
| Philippines | $254K | 2.6% |
| Czech Republic | $78K | 0.8% |
| Hong Kong | $63K | 0.7% |
| Austria | $16K | 0.2% |
| United States | $13K | 0.1% |
| France | $11K | 0.1% |
| Singapore | $6K | 0.1% |
| Australia | $5K | 0.1% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $18.04 per kg, close to the world average of $22.20.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Pocket calculators exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported pocket calculators worth $1.2 million (37 tonnes). Most of it went to Namibia (39%), Eswatini (16%), Botswana (14%). Among the main buyer markets, Zimbabwe grew fastest (+32% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $472K | 39% |
| Eswatini | $192K | 16% |
| Botswana | $169K | 14% |
| Lesotho | $117K | 9.8% |
| Zambia | $88K | 7.3% |
| Zimbabwe | $59K | 4.9% |
| Mozambique | $41K | 3.4% |
| Angola | $26K | 2.2% |
| Ghana | $10K | 0.8% |
| Malawi | $9K | 0.7% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa pocket calculators imports (HS 8470.10): 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 8470.10: Calculating machines: electronic calculators capable of operation without an external source of electric power and pocket-size data recording, reproducing and displaying machines with calculating functions.
Common questions
What is the value of pocket calculators imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported pocket calculators worth $9.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 534 tonnes. That ranks it 20th of 209 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 84% on 2023.
Which countries supply pocket calculators to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 60% of the value ($5.8 million), followed by Thailand (35%) and the Philippines (3%). The top three together account for 98%, out of 28 supplier countries in total. France grew fastest among the top ten, up 717% on the year.
What is the average import price of pocket calculators per kg?
The average declared import value was about $18.04 per kg in 2024, 19% below the world average of $22.20 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of pocket calculators to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $7.2 million in 2017 to $9.6 million in 2024, an increase of 35%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $6.7 million a year.
Does South Africa also export pocket calculators?
Yes. South Africa exported $1.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Eswatini and Botswana. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $8.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for pocket calculators?
The HS code for pocket calculators is subheading 8470.10. 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 8470 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.
Same product, other countries
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