Printing press imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of printing press by South Africa reached $539.7 million in 2024 (13.0 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 6% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2018, at $785.2 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 | $539.7M | 13.0K t |
| 2023 | $575.4M | 16.6K t |
| 2022 | $600.1M | 16.6K t |
| 2021 | $583.8M | 15.8K t |
| 2020 | $491.7M | 13.9K t |
| 2019 | $708.6M | 21.1K t |
| 2018 | $785.2M | 24.1K t |
| 2017 | $690.8M | 22.6K t |
Where South Africa imports printing press from
Most of the value came from China (25%), Japan (18%), Vietnam (9%). Among the main suppliers, Netherlands grew fastest (+340% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $137.4M | 26% |
| Japan | $96.0M | 18% |
| Vietnam | $50.8M | 9.4% |
| Germany | $40.5M | 7.5% |
| Netherlands | $39.9M | 7.4% |
| Malaysia | $37.8M | 7% |
| Thailand | $16.4M | 3% |
| United States | $15.6M | 2.9% |
| Philippines | $13.3M | 2.5% |
| Italy | $11.0M | 2% |
Product types under HS 8443
| 8443.99 | Printing machinery: parts and accessories, n.e.c. in item no. 8443.91 | 57% |
| 8443.31 | Printing, copying, and facsimile machines: machines which perform two or more of the functions of printing, copying or facsimile transmission… | 19% |
| 8443.32 | Printing, copying, and facsimile machines: single-function printing, copying or facsimile machines, capable of connecting to an automatic data… | 12% |
| 8443.16 | Printing machinery: flexographic | 4.5% |
| 8443.91 | Printing machinery used for printing by means of plates, cylinders and other printing components of heading 8442: parts and accessories | 2.3% |
| 8443.13 | Printing machinery: offset, n.e.c. in item no. 8443.1 | 1.5% |
| 8443.19 | Printing machinery: used for printing by means of plates, cylinders and other printing components of heading 84.42, n.e.c. in item no. 8443.1 | 1.2% |
| 8443.39 | Printing, copying, and facsimile machines: single-function printing, copying or facsimile machines, not capable of connecting to an automatic data… | 1.2% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8443.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $41.50 per kg, 44% above the world average of $28.82. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Printing press exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported printing press worth $100.8 million (20.6 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Botswana (22%), Namibia (17%), Zimbabwe (11%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 49%. Among the main buyer markets, Hong Kong grew fastest (+301% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $21.7M | 22% |
| Namibia | $17.0M | 17% |
| Zimbabwe | $10.7M | 11% |
| Netherlands | $5.8M | 5.8% |
| Mozambique | $5.7M | 5.7% |
| Zambia | $5.6M | 5.5% |
| Eswatini | $5.2M | 5.1% |
| Hong Kong | $4.7M | 4.7% |
| Mauritius | $2.5M | 2.5% |
| France | $2.2M | 2.1% |
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 8443: Printing machinery; used for printing by means of plates, cylinders and other printing components of heading 84.42; other printers, copying machines and facsimile machines, whether or not combined; parts and accessories thereof.
Common questions
What is the value of printing press imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported printing press worth $539.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 13.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 30th of 224 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 6% on 2023.
Which countries supply printing press to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 25% of the value ($137.4 million), followed by Japan (18%) and Vietnam (9%). The top three together account for 53%, out of 99 supplier countries in total. The Netherlands grew fastest among the top ten, up 340% on the year.
What is the average import price of printing press per kg?
The average declared import value was about $41.50 per kg in 2024, 44% above the world average of $28.82 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 press to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $690.8 million in 2017 to $539.7 million in 2024, a fall of 22%. The peak was 2018 at $785.2 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export printing press?
Yes. South Africa exported $100.8 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 $438.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for printing press?
The HS code for printing press is heading 8443. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8443.99 (57% of the value) and 8443.31 (19%). 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 8443 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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