Vacuum tubes imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $5.2 million of vacuum tubes in 2024 (80 tonnes). That is 29% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 17% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $18.4 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 | $5.2M | 81 t |
| 2023 | $4.0M | 86 t |
| 2022 | $4.7M | 123 t |
| 2021 | $4.2M | 519 t |
| 2020 | $5.0M | 433 t |
| 2019 | $5.8M | 275 t |
| 2018 | $5.9M | 737 t |
| 2017 | $18.4M | 487 t |
Where South Africa imports vacuum tubes from
The largest suppliers were United Kingdom (42%), China (22%), Netherlands (9%). Among the main suppliers, Netherlands grew fastest (+255% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $2.2M | 43% |
| China | $1.1M | 22% |
| Netherlands | $453K | 8.8% |
| Japan | $326K | 6.3% |
| United States | $285K | 5.5% |
| France | $259K | 5% |
| Germany | $97K | 1.9% |
| Thailand | $88K | 1.7% |
| Namibia | $68K | 1.3% |
| Australia | $64K | 1.3% |
Product types under HS 8540
| 8540.20 | Tubes: television camera tubes, image converters and intensifiers, other photo-cathode tubes | 50% |
| 8540.71 | Tubes: microwave, magnetrons, excluding grid-controlled tubes | 21% |
| 8540.89 | Valves and tubes: n.e.c. in heading no. 8540 | 19% |
| 8540.99 | Valves and tubes: parts of the valves and tubes of heading no. 8540, excluding parts of cathode-ray tubes | 3.7% |
| 8540.81 | Valves and tubes: receiver or amplifier | 2.2% |
| 8540.60 | Tubes: cathode ray, n.e.c. in heading no. 8540 | 1.8% |
| 8540.40 | Tubes: data/graphic display tubes, monochrome: data/graphic display tubes, colour, with a phosphor dot screen pitch smaller than 0.4mm | 1% |
| 8540.91 | Tubes: parts of cathode-ray tubes | 0.9% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8540.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $64.02 per kg, 24% below the world average of $84.23, 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.
Vacuum tubes exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported vacuum tubes worth $1.8 million (30 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Zambia accounted for 52% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, United Arab Emirates grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $931K | 52% |
| Namibia | $257K | 14% |
| Belgium | $88K | 4.9% |
| Mozambique | $75K | 4.2% |
| United States | $73K | 4.1% |
| United Arab Emirates | $51K | 2.8% |
| Netherlands | $45K | 2.5% |
| DR Congo | $36K | 2% |
| Eswatini | $35K | 2% |
| Botswana | $30K | 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 8540: Thermionic, cold cathode or photo-cathode valves and tubes (e.g. vacuum, vapour, gas filled valves and tubes, mercury arc rectifying valves and tubes, cathode-ray and television camera tubes).
Common questions
What is the value of vacuum tubes imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported vacuum tubes worth $5.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 80 tonnes. That ranks it 43rd of 201 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 29% on 2023.
Which countries supply vacuum tubes to South Africa?
The United Kingdom was the largest supplier with 42% of the value ($2.2 million), followed by China (22%) and the Netherlands (9%). The top three together account for 73%, out of 38 supplier countries in total. The Netherlands grew fastest among the top ten, up 255% on the year.
What is the average import price of vacuum tubes per kg?
The average declared import value was about $64.02 per kg in 2024, 24% below the world average of $84.23 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 vacuum tubes to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $18.4 million in 2017 to $5.2 million in 2024, a fall of 72%. The peak was 2017 at $18.4 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export vacuum tubes?
Yes. South Africa exported $1.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zambia, Namibia and Belgium. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $3.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for vacuum tubes?
The HS code for vacuum tubes is heading 8540. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8540.20 (50% of the value) and 8540.71 (21%). 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 8540 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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