Railway freight cars exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, South Africa exported railway freight cars worth $7.9 million (2.1 thousand tonnes). That is 46% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 16% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2020, at $40.7 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7.9M | 2.1K t |
| 2023 | $14.6M | 4.2K t |
| 2022 | $4.6M | 1.2K t |
| 2021 | $19.9M | 5.4K t |
| 2020 | $40.7M | 10.2K t |
| 2019 | $12.8M | 4.5K t |
| 2018 | $13.1M | 8.5K t |
| 2017 | $2.7M | 1.9K t |
Where South Africa exports railway freight cars to
The largest buyer markets were Zambia (33%), DR Congo (18%), Mauritius (18%).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $2.6M | 33% |
| DR Congo | $1.4M | 18% |
| Mauritius | $1.4M | 18% |
| Mozambique | $1.3M | 17% |
| Angola | $947K | 12% |
| United States | $94K | 1.2% |
| Zimbabwe | $57K | 0.7% |
| Kuwait | $12K | 0.2% |
| Tanzania | $8K | 0.1% |
| Namibia | $5K | 0.1% |
Product types under HS 8606
| 8606.99 | Railway or tramway goods vans and wagons: n.e.c. in heading no. 8606, not self-propelled | 90% |
| 8606.10 | Railway or tramway goods vans and wagons: tank wagons and the like, not self-propelled | 9.5% |
| 8606.91 | Railway or tramway goods vans and wagons: covered and closed, not self-propelled | 0.1% |
| 8606.30 | Railway or tramway goods vans and wagons: self-discharging, not self-propelled, excluding those of item no. 8606.10 | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8606.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.76 per kg, 23% below the world average of $4.88, 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.
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 8606: Railway or tramway goods vans and wagons; not self-propelled.
Common questions
What is the value of railway freight cars exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported railway freight cars worth $7.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 28th of 83 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was down 46% on 2023.
Which countries buy railway freight cars from South Africa?
Zambia was the largest buyer with 33% of the value ($2.6 million), followed by the DR Congo (18%) and Mauritius (18%). The top three together account for 69%, out of 12 buyer countries in total. Namibia grew fastest among the top ten, up 231% on the year.
What is the average export price of railway freight cars per kg?
The average declared export value was about $3.76 per kg in 2024, 23% below the world average of $4.88 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 exports of railway freight cars from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $2.7 million in 2017 to $7.9 million in 2024, an increase of 189%. The peak was 2020 at $40.7 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
What is the HS code for railway freight cars?
The HS code for railway freight cars is heading 8606. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8606.99 (90% of the value) and 8606.10 (10%). 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 8606 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.
Same product, other countries
More trade data for South Africa
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