Railway track imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of railway track by South Africa reached $46.8 million in 2024 (31.5 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 169% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 24% a year on average.
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 | $46.8M | 31.5K t |
| 2023 | $17.4M | 7.8K t |
| 2022 | $13.3M | 10.5K t |
| 2021 | $28.3M | 28.0K t |
| 2020 | $7.8M | 3.7K t |
| 2019 | $16.2M | 13.2K t |
| 2018 | $24.5M | 25.2K t |
| 2017 | $10.1M | 11.1K t |
Where South Africa imports railway track from
France alone supplied 70% of it. Among the main suppliers, France grew fastest (+319% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| France | $33.0M | 71% |
| Austria | $8.7M | 19% |
| China | $3.4M | 7.3% |
| Australia | $421K | 0.9% |
| Luxembourg | $337K | 0.7% |
| United Kingdom | $245K | 0.5% |
| Portugal | $187K | 0.4% |
| Czech Republic | $162K | 0.4% |
| Belgium | $79K | 0.2% |
| Germany | $49K | 0.1% |
Product types under HS 7302
| 7302.10 | Iron or steel, railway or tramway track construction material: rails | 89% |
| 7302.30 | Iron or steel, railway or tramway track construction material: switch blades, crossing frogs, point rods and other crossing pieces | 9.9% |
| 7302.90 | Iron or steel, railway or tramway track construction material: n.e.c. in heading no. 7302 | 1.3% |
| 7302.40 | Iron or steel, railway or tramway track construction material: fish-plates and sole plates | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 7302.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.49 per kg, close to the world average of $1.45.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Railway track exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $41.2 million of railway track in 2024 (29.5 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. One buyer market dominates: Liberia accounted for 88% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Liberia grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Liberia | $36.1M | 88% |
| Zimbabwe | $1.6M | 3.9% |
| Mozambique | $909K | 2.2% |
| Zambia | $623K | 1.5% |
| Australia | $540K | 1.3% |
| Eswatini | $296K | 0.7% |
| Namibia | $224K | 0.5% |
| DR Congo | $171K | 0.4% |
| Ghana | $158K | 0.4% |
| Botswana | $94K | 0.2% |
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 7302: Railway or tramway track constructions of iron or steel; rails, check and track rails, switch blades, crossing frogs, point rods, sleepers, fish-plates, chair wedges, sole plates, bedplates, ties and the like.
Common questions
What is the value of railway track imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported railway track worth $46.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 31.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 32nd of 201 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 169% on 2023.
Which countries supply railway track to South Africa?
France was the largest supplier with 70% of the value ($33.0 million), followed by Austria (19%) and China (7%). The top three together account for 96%, out of 29 supplier countries in total. The Czech Republic grew fastest among the top ten, up 575% on the year.
What is the average import price of railway track per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.49 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $1.45 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 railway track to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $10.1 million in 2017 to $46.8 million in 2024, an increase of 363%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export railway track?
Yes. South Africa exported $41.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Liberia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. That compares with imports of $46.8 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for railway track?
The HS code for railway track is heading 7302. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 7302.10 (89% of the value) and 7302.30 (10%). It sits in HS chapter 73 (iron or steel articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7302 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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