Portable computers imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $1.03 billion of portable computers in 2024 (3.4 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 14% 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 | $1.03B | 3.4K t |
| 2023 | $904.3M | 3.0K t |
| 2022 | $1.08B | 3.7K t |
| 2021 | $1.27B | 5.0K t |
| 2020 | $766.6M | 3.2K t |
| 2019 | $811.9M | 3.3K t |
| 2018 | $835.9M | 3.4K t |
| 2017 | $769.0M | 3.6K t |
Where South Africa imports portable computers from
China alone supplied 84% of it. Among the main suppliers, Hong Kong grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $863.4M | 84% |
| Hong Kong | $68.9M | 6.7% |
| Vietnam | $44.1M | 4.3% |
| Thailand | $32.0M | 3.1% |
| United States | $3.4M | 0.3% |
| Taiwan | $3.0M | 0.3% |
| Germany | $2.4M | 0.2% |
| United Kingdom | $2.1M | 0.2% |
| Netherlands | $1.9M | 0.2% |
| Canada | $828K | 0.1% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $298.07 per kg, close to the world average of $279.80.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Portable computers exports from South Africa
Exports of portable computers by South Africa reached $75.3 million in 2024 (282 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Botswana (29%), Namibia (13%), Zimbabwe (12%). Among the main buyer markets, Eswatini grew fastest (+60% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $21.8M | 29% |
| Namibia | $10.1M | 13% |
| Zimbabwe | $9.4M | 13% |
| Lesotho | $5.7M | 7.6% |
| Mozambique | $5.7M | 7.5% |
| Zambia | $4.7M | 6.2% |
| Eswatini | $4.6M | 6.1% |
| Angola | $2.5M | 3.3% |
| Malawi | $1.6M | 2.2% |
| Netherlands | $1.1M | 1.5% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa portable computers imports (HS 8471.30): 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 8471.30: Automatic data processing machines: portable, weighing not more than 10kg, consisting of at least a central processing unit, a keyboard and a display.
Common questions
What is the value of portable computers imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported portable computers worth $1.03 billion in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 3.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 32nd of 224 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 14% on 2023.
Which countries supply portable computers to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 84% of the value ($863.4 million), followed by Hong Kong (7%) and Vietnam (4%). The top three together account for 95%, out of 101 supplier countries in total. Vietnam grew fastest among the top ten, up 161% on the year.
What is the average import price of portable computers per kg?
The average declared import value was about $298.07 per kg in 2024, 7% above the world average of $279.80 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of portable computers to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $769.0 million in 2017 to $1.03 billion in 2024, an increase of 34%. The peak was 2021 at $1.27 billion. Over 8 years the average was $933.0 million a year.
Does South Africa also export portable computers?
Yes. South Africa exported $75.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $952.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for portable computers?
The HS code for portable computers is subheading 8471.30. 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 8471 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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