Refrigerator imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported refrigerator worth $324.7 million (66.1 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 24% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
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 | $324.7M | 66.1K t |
| 2023 | $260.9M | 34.8K t |
| 2022 | $262.3M | 31.9K t |
| 2021 | $255.8M | 38.4K t |
| 2020 | $179.8M | 30.4K t |
| 2019 | $234.3M | 36.1K t |
| 2018 | $243.9M | 35.0K t |
| 2017 | $219.5M | 34.2K t |
Where South Africa imports refrigerator from
The largest suppliers were China (42%), France (8%), Eswatini (6%). Among the main suppliers, India grew fastest (+127% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $135.0M | 42% |
| France | $25.7M | 7.9% |
| Eswatini | $20.4M | 6.3% |
| Italy | $19.7M | 6.1% |
| Argentina | $12.2M | 3.8% |
| United States | $11.3M | 3.5% |
| Ireland | $10.7M | 3.3% |
| Turkey | $10.4M | 3.2% |
| India | $10.2M | 3.1% |
| Austria | $7.6M | 2.3% |
Product types under HS 8418
| 8418.69 | Refrigerating or freezing equipment: n.e.c. in heading no. 8418 | 29% |
| 8418.50 | Furniture incorporating refrigerating or freezing equipment: for storage and display, n.e.c. in item no. 8418.1, 8418.2, 8418.3 or 8418.4 (chests… | 21% |
| 8418.99 | Refrigerating or freezing equipment: parts thereof, other than furniture | 17% |
| 8418.10 | Refrigerators and freezers: combined refrigerator-freezers, fitted with separate external doors, electric or other | 15% |
| 8418.61 | Heat pumps: other than air conditioning machines of heading no. 8415 | 8% |
| 8418.30 | Freezers: of the chest type, not exceeding 800l capacity | 4.5% |
| 8418.21 | Refrigerators: for household use, compression-type, electric or other | 3% |
| 8418.40 | Freezers: of the upright type, not exceeding 900l capacity | 1.8% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8418.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.91 per kg, 32% below the world average of $7.19, 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.
Refrigerator exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported refrigerator worth $153.3 million (27.3 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Zambia (17%), Botswana (16%), Namibia (15%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 48%. Among the main buyer markets, Eswatini grew fastest (+43% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $26.8M | 18% |
| Botswana | $24.3M | 16% |
| Namibia | $23.1M | 15% |
| Mozambique | $12.8M | 8.3% |
| Zimbabwe | $12.8M | 8.3% |
| Eswatini | $8.2M | 5.4% |
| Russia | $7.9M | 5.1% |
| Lesotho | $6.8M | 4.4% |
| Malawi | $4.7M | 3.1% |
| DR Congo | $4.0M | 2.6% |
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 8418: Refrigerators, freezers and other refrigerating or freezing equipment, electric or other; heat pumps other than air conditioning machines of heading no. 8415.
Common questions
What is the value of refrigerator imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported refrigerator worth $324.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 66.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 43rd of 226 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 24% on 2023.
Which countries supply refrigerator to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 42% of the value ($135.0 million), followed by France (8%) and Eswatini (6%). The top three together account for 56%, out of 90 supplier countries in total. India grew fastest among the top ten, up 127% on the year.
What is the average import price of refrigerator per kg?
The average declared import value was about $4.91 per kg in 2024, 32% below the world average of $7.19 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 refrigerator to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $219.5 million in 2017 to $324.7 million in 2024, an increase of 48%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export refrigerator?
Yes. South Africa exported $153.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zambia, Botswana and Namibia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $171.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for refrigerator?
The HS code for refrigerator is heading 8418. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8418.69 (29% of the value) and 8418.50 (21%). 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 8418 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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