Special purpose vehicles imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of special purpose vehicles by South Africa reached $83.0 million in 2024 (13.4 thousand tonnes). That is 19% less than in 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 | $83.0M | 13.4K t |
| 2023 | $102.1M | 13.2K t |
| 2022 | $67.1M | 11.1K t |
| 2021 | $50.5M | 7.1K t |
| 2020 | $43.9M | 6.0K t |
| 2019 | $43.7M | 5.9K t |
| 2018 | $47.5M | 5.2K t |
| 2017 | $59.7M | 9.3K t |
Where South Africa imports special purpose vehicles from
Most of the value came from China (35%), United States (18%), Germany (13%). Among the main suppliers, Italy grew fastest (+677% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $29.1M | 35% |
| United States | $14.7M | 18% |
| Germany | $11.0M | 13% |
| Italy | $7.9M | 9.5% |
| Lesotho | $3.2M | 3.9% |
| Netherlands | $2.5M | 3% |
| Botswana | $2.0M | 2.4% |
| United Kingdom | $1.4M | 1.7% |
| Finland | $1.3M | 1.6% |
| Thailand | $1.1M | 1.3% |
Product types under HS 8705
| 8705.90 | Vehicles: break-down lorries, road-sweepers, spraying lorries, mobile workshops, mobile radiological units, and other special purpose vehicles n.e.c.… | 46% |
| 8705.10 | Vehicles: crane lorries | 32% |
| 8705.40 | Vehicles: concrete-mixer lorries | 13% |
| 8705.30 | Vehicles: fire fighting vehicles | 8.1% |
| 8705.20 | Vehicles: mobile drilling derricks | 0.5% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8705.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $6.18 per kg, close to the world average of $7.07.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Special purpose vehicles exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported special purpose vehicles worth $52.4 million (6.3 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Zambia (19%), Cote d'Ivoire (12%), Namibia (11%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 42%. Among the main buyer markets, Kenya grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $10.0M | 19% |
| Cote d'Ivoire | $6.3M | 12% |
| Namibia | $5.8M | 11% |
| Lesotho | $5.4M | 10% |
| Botswana | $4.2M | 8.1% |
| Mozambique | $4.0M | 7.7% |
| Zimbabwe | $3.4M | 6.5% |
| DR Congo | $3.3M | 6.3% |
| Kenya | $1.8M | 3.4% |
| Ghana | $1.4M | 2.8% |
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 8705: Special purpose motor vehicles; not those for the transport of persons or goods (e.g. breakdown lorries, road sweeper lorries, spraying lorries, mobile workshops, mobile radiological units etc).
Common questions
What is the value of special purpose vehicles imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported special purpose vehicles worth $83.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 13.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 43rd of 217 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 19% on 2023.
Which countries supply special purpose vehicles to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 35% of the value ($29.1 million), followed by the United States (18%) and Germany (13%). The top three together account for 66%, out of 35 supplier countries in total. Italy grew fastest among the top ten, up 677% on the year.
What is the average import price of special purpose vehicles per kg?
The average declared import value was about $6.18 per kg in 2024, 13% below the world average of $7.07 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 special purpose vehicles to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $59.7 million in 2017 to $83.0 million in 2024, an increase of 39%. The peak was 2023 at $102.1 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export special purpose vehicles?
Yes. South Africa exported $52.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zambia, Cote d'Ivoire and Namibia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $30.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for special purpose vehicles?
The HS code for special purpose vehicles is heading 8705. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8705.90 (46% of the value) and 8705.10 (32%). It sits in HS chapter 87 (vehicles; other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8705 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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