Storage media imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported storage media worth $190.8 million (2.8 thousand tonnes). The value was almost unchanged from 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 5% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2018, at $287.1 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 | $190.8M | 2.8K t |
| 2023 | $187.6M | 2.1K t |
| 2022 | $220.3M | 3.6K t |
| 2021 | $221.3M | 2.8K t |
| 2020 | $171.0M | 4.1K t |
| 2019 | $226.1M | 2.3K t |
| 2018 | $287.1M | 2.8K t |
| 2017 | $280.2M | 11.3K t |
Where South Africa imports storage media from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 51% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Malaysia grew fastest (+43% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $97.1M | 51% |
| Taiwan | $16.0M | 8.4% |
| India | $12.1M | 6.3% |
| Mexico | $9.2M | 4.8% |
| Malaysia | $6.4M | 3.3% |
| Philippines | $5.5M | 2.9% |
| Germany | $5.5M | 2.9% |
| United Kingdom | $4.7M | 2.5% |
| Poland | $4.7M | 2.5% |
| United States | $3.8M | 2% |
Product types under HS 8523
| 8523.52 | Semiconductor media: smart cards, whether or not recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37 | 57% |
| 8523.51 | Semiconductor media: solid-state non-volatile storage devices, whether or not recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37 | 26% |
| 8523.49 | Optical media: recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37 | 9.3% |
| 8523.80 | Media n.e.c. in heading 8523, whether or not recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37 | 2.7% |
| 8523.21 | Magnetic media: cards incorporating a magnetic stripe, whether or not recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37 | 2.3% |
| 8523.29 | Magnetic media: other than cards incorporating a magnetic stripe, whether or not recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37 | 1.6% |
| 8523.59 | Semiconductor media: other than smart cards, whether or not recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37 | 1.2% |
| 8523.41 | Optical media: unrecorded, excluding products of Chapter 37 | 0.2% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8523.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $67.39 per kg, 65% below the world average of $190.33, 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.
Storage media exports from South Africa
Exports of storage media by South Africa reached $62.8 million in 2024 (800 tonnes). Most of it went to Kenya (16%), United States (11%), United Kingdom (10%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 37%. Among the main buyer markets, Kenya grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya | $10.3M | 17% |
| United States | $6.9M | 11% |
| United Kingdom | $6.1M | 9.7% |
| Zimbabwe | $4.3M | 6.9% |
| Germany | $4.3M | 6.8% |
| France | $2.9M | 4.6% |
| Zambia | $2.6M | 4.1% |
| Botswana | $2.6M | 4.1% |
| Namibia | $2.3M | 3.6% |
| Canada | $1.9M | 3.1% |
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 8523: Discs, tapes, solid-state non-volatile storage devices, smart cards and other media for the recording of sound or of other phenomena, whether or not recorded, including matrices and masters for the production of discs, excluding products of Chapter 37.
Common questions
What is the value of storage media imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported storage media worth $190.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 35th of 222 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 2% on 2023.
Which countries supply storage media to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 51% of the value ($97.1 million), followed by Taiwan (8%) and India (6%). The top three together account for 66%, out of 106 supplier countries in total. The United Kingdom grew fastest among the top ten, up 73% on the year.
What is the average import price of storage media per kg?
The average declared import value was about $67.39 per kg in 2024, 65% below the world average of $190.33 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 storage media to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $280.2 million in 2017 to $190.8 million in 2024, a fall of 32%. The peak was 2018 at $287.1 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export storage media?
Yes. South Africa exported $62.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Kenya, the United States and the United Kingdom. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $128.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for storage media?
The HS code for storage media is heading 8523. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8523.52 (56% of the value) and 8523.51 (26%). 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 8523 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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