Steel fasteners imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported steel fasteners worth $223.3 million (84.3 thousand tonnes). Value rose 6% 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 | $223.3M | 84.3K t |
| 2023 | $210.5M | 51.0K t |
| 2022 | $227.0M | 63.9K t |
| 2021 | $203.7M | 60.4K t |
| 2020 | $146.1M | 43.8K t |
| 2019 | $180.7M | 52.5K t |
| 2018 | $202.3M | 62.4K t |
| 2017 | $186.8M | 62.6K t |
Where South Africa imports steel fasteners from
Most of the value came from China (36%), Germany (13%), United States (12%). Among the main suppliers, India grew fastest (+140% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $79.8M | 36% |
| Germany | $28.0M | 13% |
| United States | $27.2M | 12% |
| India | $17.2M | 7.7% |
| Taiwan | $12.3M | 5.5% |
| Italy | $9.6M | 4.3% |
| Japan | $8.8M | 3.9% |
| Thailand | $5.6M | 2.5% |
| France | $3.6M | 1.6% |
| United Kingdom | $3.5M | 1.6% |
Product types under HS 7318
| 7318.15 | Iron or steel: threaded screws and bolts n.e.c. in item no. 7318.1, whether or not with their nuts or washers | 47% |
| 7318.16 | Iron or steel: threaded nuts | 16% |
| 7318.14 | Iron or steel: threaded self-tapping screws | 9% |
| 7318.22 | Iron or steel: non-threaded washers, excluding spring and lock | 7.2% |
| 7318.29 | Iron or steel: non-threaded articles, n.e.c. in item no. 7318.2 | 6.2% |
| 7318.12 | Iron or steel: threaded wood screws other than coach screws | 4.4% |
| 7318.19 | Iron or steel: threaded screws, bolts and nuts n.e.c. in item no. 7318.1 | 3.9% |
| 7318.24 | Iron or steel: non-threaded cotters and cotter-pins | 2.2% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 7318.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.65 per kg, 38% below the world average of $4.28, 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.
Steel fasteners exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported steel fasteners worth $136.4 million (29.3 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Zimbabwe (18%), DR Congo (15%), Mali (14%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 47%. Among the main buyer markets, Mali grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $24.5M | 18% |
| DR Congo | $20.5M | 15% |
| Mali | $18.9M | 14% |
| Botswana | $12.5M | 9.2% |
| Zambia | $11.2M | 8.2% |
| Namibia | $11.2M | 8.2% |
| Mozambique | $7.4M | 5.4% |
| Canada | $5.9M | 4.3% |
| Eswatini | $3.8M | 2.8% |
| Lesotho | $2.4M | 1.7% |
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 7318: Screws, bolts, nuts, coach screws, screw hooks, rivets, cotters, cotter-pins, washers (including spring washers) and similar articles, of iron or steel.
Common questions
What is the value of steel fasteners imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported steel fasteners worth $223.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 84.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 40th of 224 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 6% on 2023.
Which countries supply steel fasteners to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 36% of the value ($79.8 million), followed by Germany (13%) and the United States (12%). The top three together account for 60%, out of 143 supplier countries in total. India grew fastest among the top ten, up 140% on the year.
What is the average import price of steel fasteners per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.65 per kg in 2024, 38% below the world average of $4.28 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 steel fasteners to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $186.8 million in 2017 to $223.3 million in 2024, an increase of 20%. The peak was 2022 at $227.0 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export steel fasteners?
Yes. South Africa exported $136.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zimbabwe, the DR Congo and Mali. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $86.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for steel fasteners?
The HS code for steel fasteners is heading 7318. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 7318.15 (47% of the value) and 7318.16 (16%). It sits in HS chapter 73 (iron or steel articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7318 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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