Trailers exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, South Africa exported trailers worth $207.5 million (40.0 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Value fell 12% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
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 | $207.5M | 40.0K t |
| 2023 | $234.9M | 48.4K t |
| 2022 | $243.4M | 58.0K t |
| 2021 | $195.7M | 49.9K t |
| 2020 | $165.5M | 45.5K t |
| 2019 | $161.8M | 40.1K t |
| 2018 | $171.4M | 39.3K t |
| 2017 | $128.7M | 33.0K t |
Where South Africa exports trailers to
Most of it went to Zambia (28%), Namibia (13%), Mozambique (10%). Among the main buyer markets, Germany grew fastest (+66% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $58.2M | 28% |
| Namibia | $27.4M | 13% |
| Mozambique | $21.2M | 10% |
| Botswana | $20.3M | 9.8% |
| Zimbabwe | $19.4M | 9.3% |
| United States | $13.0M | 6.3% |
| Australia | $7.0M | 3.4% |
| Tanzania | $6.0M | 2.9% |
| Germany | $5.9M | 2.8% |
| Eswatini | $5.1M | 2.5% |
Product types under HS 8716
| 8716.39 | Trailers and semi-trailers: (other than tanker type) | 36% |
| 8716.31 | Tanker trailers and tanker semi-trailers | 33% |
| 8716.40 | Trailers and semi-trailers: n.e.c. in item no. 8716.3 | 11% |
| 8716.90 | Trailers, semi-trailers and other vehicles not mechanically propelled: parts thereof for heading no. 8716 | 9.2% |
| 8716.80 | Vehicles: n.e.c. in heading no. 8716 | 7.9% |
| 8716.10 | Trailers and semi-trailers: of the caravan type, for housing or camping | 2.2% |
| 8716.20 | Trailers and semi-trailers: self-loading or self-unloading, for agricultural purposes | 0.9% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8716.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $5.19 per kg, close to the world average of $4.45.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Trailers imports to South Africa
In 2024, South Africa imported trailers worth $132.4 million (50.2 thousand tonnes). China alone supplied 51% of it. Among the main suppliers, India grew fastest (+99% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $67.2M | 51% |
| Germany | $31.6M | 24% |
| Turkey | $6.0M | 4.6% |
| Netherlands | $4.5M | 3.4% |
| India | $4.4M | 3.4% |
| United Kingdom | $3.2M | 2.4% |
| Hungary | $3.1M | 2.4% |
| Italy | $2.0M | 1.5% |
| Luxembourg | $1.7M | 1.3% |
| United States | $1.6M | 1.2% |
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 8716: Trailers and semi-trailers; other vehicles, not mechanically propelled; parts thereof.
Common questions
What is the value of trailers exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported trailers worth $207.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 40.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 24th of 199 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was down 12% on 2023.
Which countries buy trailers from South Africa?
Zambia was the largest buyer with 28% of the value ($58.2 million), followed by Namibia (13%) and Mozambique (10%). The top three together account for 52%, out of 98 buyer countries in total. Germany grew fastest among the top ten, up 66% on the year.
What is the average export price of trailers per kg?
The average declared export value was about $5.19 per kg in 2024, 17% above the world average of $4.45 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 exports of trailers from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $128.7 million in 2017 to $207.5 million in 2024, an increase of 61%. The peak was 2022 at $243.4 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import trailers?
Yes. South Africa imported $132.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, Germany and Turkey. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $75.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for trailers?
The HS code for trailers is heading 8716. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8716.39 (36% of the value) and 8716.31 (33%). It sits in HS chapter 87 (vehicles; other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8716 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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