Sewing machine imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of sewing machine by South Africa reached $26.3 million in 2024 (2.0 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 6% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2021, at $36.4 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 | $26.3M | 2.0K t |
| 2023 | $24.7M | 1.3K t |
| 2022 | $30.5M | 1.5K t |
| 2021 | $36.4M | 1.8K t |
| 2020 | $27.9M | 1.9K t |
| 2019 | $29.6M | 1.5K t |
| 2018 | $33.7M | 1.5K t |
| 2017 | $29.7M | 1.4K t |
Where South Africa imports sewing machine from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 52% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Singapore grew fastest (+405% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $13.5M | 52% |
| Vietnam | $2.9M | 11% |
| Singapore | $2.1M | 7.8% |
| Taiwan | $1.6M | 6.2% |
| Japan | $1.1M | 4.4% |
| Germany | $578K | 2.2% |
| Italy | $558K | 2.1% |
| Thailand | $547K | 2.1% |
| Croatia | $532K | 2% |
| India | $445K | 1.7% |
Product types under HS 8452
| 8452.29 | Sewing machines: not household or automatic unit type | 51% |
| 8452.21 | Sewing machines: (not household type), automatic units | 16% |
| 8452.90 | Sewing machines: furniture, bases and covers for sewing machines and parts thereof, and other parts of sewing machines | 14% |
| 8452.10 | Sewing machines: of the household type | 13% |
| 8452.30 | Sewing machine needles | 6.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8452.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $12.93 per kg, close to the world average of $12.51.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Sewing machine exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported sewing machine worth $3.9 million (456 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Lesotho (23%), Eswatini (17%), Botswana (14%). Among the main buyer markets, DR Congo grew fastest (+723% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Lesotho | $920K | 23% |
| Eswatini | $680K | 17% |
| Botswana | $544K | 14% |
| Namibia | $529K | 13% |
| Zimbabwe | $521K | 13% |
| Zambia | $125K | 3.2% |
| Mozambique | $117K | 3% |
| Cote d'Ivoire | $73K | 1.9% |
| DR Congo | $61K | 1.6% |
| United States | $59K | 1.5% |
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 8452: Sewing machines; other than book-sewing machines of heading no. 8440; furniture, bases and covers specially designed for sewing machines; sewing machine needles.
Common questions
What is the value of sewing machine imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported sewing machine worth $26.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 41st of 214 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 6% on 2023.
Which countries supply sewing machine to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 52% of the value ($13.5 million), followed by Vietnam (11%) and Singapore (8%). The top three together account for 70%, out of 58 supplier countries in total. Singapore grew fastest among the top ten, up 405% on the year.
What is the average import price of sewing machine per kg?
The average declared import value was about $12.93 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $12.51 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 sewing machine to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $29.7 million in 2017 to $26.3 million in 2024, a fall of 12%. The peak was 2021 at $36.4 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export sewing machine?
Yes. South Africa exported $3.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Lesotho, Eswatini and Botswana. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $22.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for sewing machine?
The HS code for sewing machine is heading 8452. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8452.29 (51% of the value) and 8452.21 (16%). 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 8452 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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