Safety and relief valves imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of safety and relief valves by South Africa reached $27.3 million in 2024 (896 tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 15% 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 | $27.3M | 896 t |
| 2023 | $23.7M | 721 t |
| 2022 | $22.5M | 728 t |
| 2021 | $24.2M | 845 t |
| 2020 | $16.6M | 612 t |
| 2019 | $19.2M | 736 t |
| 2018 | $23.8M | 723 t |
| 2017 | $20.9M | 722 t |
Where South Africa imports safety and relief valves from
Most of the value came from Germany (30%), United States (17%), Thailand (11%). Among the main suppliers, Thailand grew fastest (+94% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | $8.3M | 30% |
| United States | $4.6M | 17% |
| Thailand | $3.0M | 11% |
| United Kingdom | $2.1M | 7.8% |
| China | $1.6M | 5.7% |
| Czech Republic | $1.2M | 4.5% |
| Italy | $1.0M | 3.8% |
| Poland | $639K | 2.3% |
| Japan | $578K | 2.1% |
| Finland | $536K | 2% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $30.43 per kg, 29% below the world average of $42.68, 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.
Safety and relief valves exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported safety and relief valves worth $8.5 million (313 tonnes). Most of it went to Mozambique (20%), Zimbabwe (13%), DR Congo (9%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 43%. Among the main buyer markets, Kenya grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mozambique | $1.7M | 20% |
| Zimbabwe | $1.1M | 13% |
| DR Congo | $790K | 9.3% |
| Botswana | $712K | 8.4% |
| Namibia | $596K | 7% |
| Zambia | $548K | 6.4% |
| United States | $518K | 6.1% |
| Kenya | $398K | 4.7% |
| Angola | $337K | 4% |
| Eswatini | $188K | 2.2% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa safety and relief valves imports (HS 8481.40): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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.
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 8481.40: Valves: safety or relief valves, for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vats or the like.
Common questions
What is the value of safety and relief valves imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported safety and relief valves worth $27.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 896 tonnes. That ranks it 38th of 221 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 15% on 2023.
Which countries supply safety and relief valves to South Africa?
Germany was the largest supplier with 30% of the value ($8.3 million), followed by the United States (17%) and Thailand (11%). The top three together account for 58%, out of 77 supplier countries in total. Thailand grew fastest among the top ten, up 94% on the year.
What is the average import price of safety and relief valves per kg?
The average declared import value was about $30.43 per kg in 2024, 29% below the world average of $42.68 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of safety and relief valves to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $20.9 million in 2017 to $27.3 million in 2024, an increase of 31%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $22.3 million a year.
Does South Africa also export safety and relief valves?
Yes. South Africa exported $8.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Mozambique, Zimbabwe and the DR Congo. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $18.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for safety and relief valves?
The HS code for safety and relief valves is subheading 8481.40. 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 8481 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for South Africa. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World safety and relief valves trade: top importers and exporters
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.