Printing equipment imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported printing equipment worth $5.1 million (405 tonnes). That is 3% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 7% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2018, at $13.7 million.
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 | $5.1M | 405 t |
| 2023 | $5.3M | 506 t |
| 2022 | $5.7M | 203 t |
| 2021 | $8.0M | 322 t |
| 2020 | $5.7M | 1.7K t |
| 2019 | $6.4M | 341 t |
| 2018 | $13.7M | 798 t |
| 2017 | $8.3M | 345 t |
Where South Africa imports printing equipment from
The largest suppliers were Germany (17%), United Arab Emirates (10%), China (9%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 37%. Among the main suppliers, Austria grew fastest (+864% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | $884K | 17% |
| United Arab Emirates | $533K | 10% |
| China | $476K | 9.3% |
| United Kingdom | $447K | 8.8% |
| Switzerland | $268K | 5.3% |
| Austria | $262K | 5.1% |
| Japan | $252K | 5% |
| Italy | $244K | 4.8% |
| Canada | $213K | 4.2% |
| United States | $212K | 4.2% |
Product types under HS 8442
| 8442.50 | Plates, cylinders and other printing components: lithographic stones prepared for printing purposes (for example, planed, grained or polished) | 48% |
| 8442.30 | Machinery, apparatus and equipment (excluding machines of heading no. 8456 to 8465) for preparing or making printing components | 37% |
| 8442.40 | Machinery, apparatus and equipment (excluding machines of heading no. 8456 to 8465) for preparing or making printing components: parts thereof | 16% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8442.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $12.60 per kg, 31% below the world average of $18.36, 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.
Printing equipment exports from South Africa
Exports of printing equipment by South Africa reached $4.4 million in 2024 (472 tonnes). Most of it went to China (27%), United States (14%), Zimbabwe (14%). Among the main buyer markets, United Kingdom grew fastest (+231% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $1.2M | 27% |
| United States | $605K | 14% |
| Zimbabwe | $602K | 14% |
| Namibia | $272K | 6.2% |
| United Kingdom | $264K | 6% |
| Zambia | $247K | 5.7% |
| Malawi | $222K | 5.1% |
| Mauritius | $184K | 4.2% |
| India | $168K | 3.8% |
| Mexico | $94K | 2.2% |
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 8442: Machinery, apparatus and equipment (excluding machines of headings 8456 to 8465) for preparing or making printing components; plates, cylinders and other printing components; lithographic stones prepared for printing purposes.
Common questions
What is the value of printing equipment imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported printing equipment worth $5.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 405 tonnes. That ranks it 47th of 206 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 3% on 2023.
Which countries supply printing equipment to South Africa?
Germany was the largest supplier with 17% of the value ($884 thousand), followed by the United Arab Emirates (10%) and China (9%). The top three together account for 37%, out of 42 supplier countries in total. Austria grew fastest among the top ten, up 864% on the year.
What is the average import price of printing equipment per kg?
The average declared import value was about $12.60 per kg in 2024, 31% below the world average of $18.36 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 printing equipment to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $8.3 million in 2017 to $5.1 million in 2024, a fall of 39%. The peak was 2018 at $13.7 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export printing equipment?
Yes. South Africa exported $4.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to China, the United States and Zimbabwe. That compares with imports of $5.1 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for printing equipment?
The HS code for printing equipment is heading 8442. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8442.50 (48% of the value) and 8442.30 (36%). 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 8442 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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