Textile machinery parts imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of textile machinery parts by South Africa reached $9.9 million in 2024 (372 tonnes). That is 13% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 5% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2019, at $17.6 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 | $9.9M | 372 t |
| 2023 | $11.4M | 411 t |
| 2022 | $11.5M | 506 t |
| 2021 | $11.1M | 577 t |
| 2020 | $11.0M | 831 t |
| 2019 | $17.6M | 600 t |
| 2018 | $16.3M | 865 t |
| 2017 | $14.7M | 586 t |
Where South Africa imports textile machinery parts from
Most of the value came from China (21%), Germany (17%), Taiwan (9%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 47%. Among the main suppliers, Belgium grew fastest (+70% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $2.1M | 21% |
| Germany | $1.7M | 17% |
| Taiwan | $850K | 8.5% |
| Italy | $776K | 7.8% |
| Belgium | $670K | 6.7% |
| India | $570K | 5.7% |
| France | $439K | 4.4% |
| Austria | $357K | 3.6% |
| South Korea | $333K | 3.3% |
| Switzerland | $265K | 2.7% |
Product types under HS 8448
| 8448.49 | Weaving machines (looms): parts including their auxiliary machinery, and accessories thereof n.e.c. in item no. 8448.4 | 25% |
| 8448.59 | Machines: parts and accessories of machines or auxiliary machinery of heading no. 8447, other than sinkers, needles and other articles used in… | 22% |
| 8448.39 | Machines: parts and accessories of machines or auxiliary machinery of heading no. 8445, n.e.c. in item no. 8448.3 | 12% |
| 8448.51 | Machines: parts and accessories of machines of heading no. 8447 or auxiliary machinery, sinkers, needles and other articles used in forming stitches | 10% |
| 8448.20 | Machines: parts and accessories of machines or auxiliary machinery of heading no. 8444 | 9.1% |
| 8448.32 | Machines: parts and accessories of machines or auxiliary machinery for preparing textile fibres, other than card clothing | 8% |
| 8448.33 | Machines: parts and accessories of machines or auxiliary machinery, spindles, spindle flyers, spinning rings and ring travellers | 3.8% |
| 8448.31 | Machines, card clothing: parts and accessories | 3.8% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8448.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $26.73 per kg, close to the world average of $24.04.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Textile machinery parts exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported textile machinery parts worth $4.1 million (599 tonnes). Nigeria alone took 54% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Nigeria grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | $2.2M | 54% |
| Eswatini | $286K | 6.9% |
| Chile | $283K | 6.9% |
| Namibia | $283K | 6.9% |
| Lesotho | $222K | 5.4% |
| Zambia | $143K | 3.5% |
| Zimbabwe | $123K | 3% |
| DR Congo | $74K | 1.8% |
| United States | $67K | 1.6% |
| Botswana | $58K | 1.4% |
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 8448: Machinery, auxiliary; for use with machines of heading no. 8444 to 8447 (e.g. dobbies, jacquards, automatic stop motions, shuttle changing mechanisms) parts, accessories for machines of heading no. 8444, 8447.
Common questions
What is the value of textile machinery parts imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported textile machinery parts worth $9.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 372 tonnes. That ranks it 49th of 197 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 13% on 2023.
Which countries supply textile machinery parts to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 21% of the value ($2.1 million), followed by Germany (17%) and Taiwan (9%). The top three together account for 47%, out of 63 supplier countries in total. Belgium grew fastest among the top ten, up 70% on the year.
What is the average import price of textile machinery parts per kg?
The average declared import value was about $26.73 per kg in 2024, 11% above the world average of $24.04 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 textile machinery parts to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $14.7 million in 2017 to $9.9 million in 2024, a fall of 33%. The peak was 2019 at $17.6 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export textile machinery parts?
Yes. South Africa exported $4.1 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Nigeria, Eswatini and Chile. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $5.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for textile machinery parts?
The HS code for textile machinery parts is heading 8448. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8448.49 (24% of the value) and 8448.59 (22%). It sits in HS chapter 84 (machinery and mechanical appliances, boilers, nuclear reactors; parts thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8448 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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