Railway couplings and buffers imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of railway couplings and buffers by South Africa reached $3.3 million in 2024 (596 tonnes). Value rose 55% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2017, at $4.2 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 | $3.3M | 596 t |
| 2023 | $2.1M | 317 t |
| 2022 | $2.4M | 346 t |
| 2021 | $2.7M | 331 t |
| 2020 | $1.1M | 169 t |
| 2019 | $3.1M | 407 t |
| 2018 | $2.0M | 286 t |
| 2017 | $4.2M | 685 t |
Where South Africa imports railway couplings and buffers from
The largest suppliers were United States (46%), China (30%), Germany (19%). Among the main suppliers, United States grew fastest (+738% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $1.5M | 46% |
| China | $986K | 30% |
| Germany | $629K | 19% |
| United Kingdom | $63K | 1.9% |
| Poland | $46K | 1.4% |
| Finland | $22K | 0.7% |
| Taiwan | $5K | 0.1% |
| Austria | $3K | 0.1% |
| Czech Republic | $2K | 0.1% |
| India | $0K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $5.48 per kg, close to the world average of $6.67.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Railway couplings and buffers exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported railway couplings and buffers worth $405 thousand (34 tonnes). Most of it went to Mozambique (32%), Namibia (21%), Zambia (20%). Among the main buyer markets, United States grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mozambique | $128K | 32% |
| Namibia | $87K | 21% |
| Zambia | $80K | 20% |
| Angola | $25K | 6.3% |
| DR Congo | $20K | 5% |
| Germany | $19K | 4.7% |
| United States | $18K | 4.4% |
| Eritrea | $13K | 3.2% |
| Botswana | $10K | 2.5% |
| Netherlands | $4K | 0.9% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa railway couplings and buffers imports (HS 8607.30): 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 8607.30: Railway or tramway locomotives or rolling stock: parts, hooks and other coupling devices, buffers and parts thereof.
Common questions
What is the value of railway couplings and buffers imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported railway couplings and buffers worth $3.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 596 tonnes. That ranks it 34th of 157 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 55% on 2023.
Which countries supply railway couplings and buffers to South Africa?
The United States was the largest supplier with 46% of the value ($1.5 million), followed by China (30%) and Germany (19%). The top three together account for 96%, out of 14 supplier countries in total. The United States grew fastest among the top ten, up 738% on the year.
What is the average import price of railway couplings and buffers per kg?
The average declared import value was about $5.48 per kg in 2024, 18% below the world average of $6.67 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of railway couplings and buffers to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $4.2 million in 2017 to $3.3 million in 2024, a fall of 22%. The peak was 2017 at $4.2 million. Over 8 years the average was $2.6 million a year.
Does South Africa also export railway couplings and buffers?
Yes. South Africa exported $405 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $2.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for railway couplings and buffers?
The HS code for railway couplings and buffers is subheading 8607.30. It sits in HS chapter 86 (railway, tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and parts thereof; railway or tramway track fixtures and fittings and parts thereof; mechanical (including electro-mechanical) traffic signalling equipment of all kinds). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8607 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For South Africa, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World railway couplings and buffers trade: top importers and exporters
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