Spent batteries and accumulators exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, South Africa exported spent batteries and accumulators worth $13.8 million (14.5 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Value fell 7% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2017, at $19.2 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $13.8M | 14.5K t |
| 2023 | $14.8M | 15.3K t |
| 2022 | $8.1M | 8.9K t |
| 2021 | $3.2M | 3.9K t |
| 2020 | $1.4M | 1.6K t |
| 2019 | $8.8M | 9.1K t |
| 2018 | $8.6M | 10.1K t |
| 2017 | $19.2M | 19.0K t |
Where South Africa exports spent batteries and accumulators to
India alone took 96% of it.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $13.3M | 97% |
| Pakistan | $422K | 3.1% |
| Switzerland | $59K | 0.4% |
| Malawi | $5K | 0% |
| Zambia | $2K | 0% |
| Belgium | $0K | 0% |
| Zimbabwe | $0K | 0% |
| Namibia | $0K | 0% |
| Botswana | $0K | 0% |
| Angola | $0K | 0% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.95 per kg, close to the world average of $0.91.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Spent batteries and accumulators imports to South Africa
Imports of spent batteries and accumulators by South Africa reached $1.7 million in 2024 (3.4 thousand tonnes). One supplier dominates: Botswana accounted for 98% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Botswana grew fastest (+66% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $1.7M | 99% |
| Lesotho | $11K | 0.6% |
| Namibia | $7K | 0.4% |
| Spain | $6K | 0.4% |
| United States | $1K | 0.1% |
| China | $1K | 0% |
| Latvia | $1K | 0% |
| Belgium | $0K | 0% |
| Taiwan | $0K | 0% |
| Haiti | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa spent batteries and accumulators exports (HS 8548.10): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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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 8548.10: Waste and scrap of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators: spent primary cells, spent primary batteries and spent electric accumulators.
Common questions
What is the value of spent batteries and accumulators exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported spent batteries and accumulators worth $13.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 14.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 23rd of 161 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was down 7% on 2023.
Which countries buy spent batteries and accumulators from South Africa?
India was the largest buyer with 96% of the value ($13.3 million), followed by Pakistan (3%) and Switzerland (0%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 11 buyer countries in total.
What is the average export price of spent batteries and accumulators per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.95 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $0.91 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have exports of spent batteries and accumulators from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $19.2 million in 2017 to $13.8 million in 2024, a fall of 28%. The peak was 2017 at $19.2 million. Over 8 years the average was $9.8 million a year.
Does South Africa also import spent batteries and accumulators?
Yes. South Africa imported $1.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Botswana, Lesotho and Namibia. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $12.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for spent batteries and accumulators?
The HS code for spent batteries and accumulators is subheading 8548.10. It sits in HS chapter 85 (electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers, parts and accessories of such articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8548 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For South Africa, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World spent batteries and accumulators trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
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