Starter motors imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of starter motors by South Africa reached $47.0 million in 2024 (3.7 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 28% 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 | $47.0M | 3.7K t |
| 2023 | $36.8M | 2.5K t |
| 2022 | $35.8M | 2.4K t |
| 2021 | $30.0M | 2.1K t |
| 2020 | $23.3M | 1.6K t |
| 2019 | $52.7M | 3.3K t |
| 2018 | $33.6M | 2.3K t |
| 2017 | $31.3M | 2.3K t |
Where South Africa imports starter motors from
Most of the value came from China (30%), Germany (20%), United States (13%). Among the main suppliers, Thailand grew fastest (+599% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $14.3M | 31% |
| Germany | $9.5M | 20% |
| United States | $6.2M | 13% |
| India | $5.0M | 11% |
| Thailand | $3.2M | 6.8% |
| Japan | $2.5M | 5.2% |
| Mexico | $2.4M | 5.1% |
| Slovenia | $757K | 1.6% |
| Australia | $538K | 1.1% |
| United Kingdom | $468K | 1% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $12.86 per kg, close to the world average of $14.54.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Starter motors exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported starter motors worth $9.0 million (511 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Botswana (17%), Namibia (15%), Senegal (10%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 42%. Among the main buyer markets, Senegal grew fastest (+799% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $1.5M | 17% |
| Namibia | $1.3M | 15% |
| Senegal | $911K | 10% |
| DR Congo | $889K | 9.9% |
| Zambia | $734K | 8.2% |
| Mozambique | $681K | 7.6% |
| United States | $635K | 7.1% |
| Zimbabwe | $583K | 6.5% |
| Eswatini | $384K | 4.3% |
| Angola | $205K | 2.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa starter motors imports (HS 8511.40): 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 8511.40: Ignition or starting equipment: starter motors and dual purpose starter-generators, of a kind used for spark or compression-ignition internal combustion engines.
Common questions
What is the value of starter motors imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported starter motors worth $47.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 3.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 30th of 222 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 28% on 2023.
Which countries supply starter motors to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 30% of the value ($14.3 million), followed by Germany (20%) and the United States (13%). The top three together account for 64%, out of 66 supplier countries in total. Thailand grew fastest among the top ten, up 599% on the year.
What is the average import price of starter motors per kg?
The average declared import value was about $12.86 per kg in 2024, 12% below the world average of $14.54 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of starter motors to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $31.3 million in 2017 to $47.0 million in 2024, an increase of 50%. The peak was 2019 at $52.7 million. Over 8 years the average was $36.3 million a year.
Does South Africa also export starter motors?
Yes. South Africa exported $9.0 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Botswana, Namibia and Senegal. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $38.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for starter motors?
The HS code for starter motors is subheading 8511.40. 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 8511 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.
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