Universal AC/DC motors imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of universal ac/dc motors by South Africa reached $4.4 million in 2024 (610 tonnes). Value rose 10% 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 | $4.4M | 610 t |
| 2023 | $4.0M | 423 t |
| 2022 | $4.2M | 616 t |
| 2021 | $5.3M | 548 t |
| 2020 | $3.0M | 517 t |
| 2019 | $5.4M | 103 t |
| 2018 | $2.8M | 101 t |
| 2017 | $2.6M | 550 t |
Where South Africa imports universal ac/dc motors from
China alone supplied 65% of it. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+43% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $2.9M | 65% |
| South Korea | $229K | 5.2% |
| Germany | $221K | 5% |
| United States | $181K | 4.1% |
| Thailand | $142K | 3.2% |
| Switzerland | $104K | 2.3% |
| Italy | $87K | 2% |
| France | $68K | 1.5% |
| United Kingdom | $58K | 1.3% |
| Slovenia | $46K | 1% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $7.29 per kg, close to the world average of $8.45.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Universal AC/DC motors exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $1.5 million of universal ac/dc motors in 2024 (26 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Zambia (18%), Tanzania (9%), Madagascar (9%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 35%. Among the main buyer markets, Tanzania grew fastest (+729% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $261K | 18% |
| Tanzania | $130K | 8.8% |
| Madagascar | $130K | 8.7% |
| DR Congo | $128K | 8.6% |
| Mozambique | $123K | 8.3% |
| Namibia | $116K | 7.8% |
| Botswana | $85K | 5.7% |
| Chile | $84K | 5.7% |
| Kazakhstan | $62K | 4.2% |
| Zimbabwe | $58K | 3.9% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa universal ac/dc motors imports (HS 8501.20): 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 8501.20: Electric motors: universal AC/DC of an output exceeding 37.5W.
Common questions
What is the value of universal ac/dc motors imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported universal ac/dc motors worth $4.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 610 tonnes. That ranks it 51st of 206 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 10% on 2023.
Which countries supply universal ac/dc motors to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 65% of the value ($2.9 million), followed by South Korea (5%) and Germany (5%). The top three together account for 75%, out of 51 supplier countries in total. Thailand grew fastest among the top ten, up 218% on the year.
What is the average import price of universal ac/dc motors per kg?
The average declared import value was about $7.29 per kg in 2024, 14% below the world average of $8.45 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of universal ac/dc motors to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $2.6 million in 2017 to $4.4 million in 2024, an increase of 71%. The peak was 2019 at $5.4 million. Over 8 years the average was $4.0 million a year.
Does South Africa also export universal ac/dc motors?
Yes. South Africa exported $1.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zambia, Tanzania and Madagascar. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $3.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for universal ac/dc motors?
The HS code for universal ac/dc motors is subheading 8501.20. 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 8501 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
World universal ac/dc motors trade: top importers and exporters
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