Vehicle diesel engines imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported vehicle diesel engines worth $585.5 million (39.2 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 2%. That is 75% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 20% a year on average.
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 | $585.5M | 39.2K t |
| 2023 | $335.0M | 15.0K t |
| 2022 | $277.5M | 13.9K t |
| 2021 | $330.9M | 15.0K t |
| 2020 | $240.8M | 11.3K t |
| 2019 | $376.5M | 16.0K t |
| 2018 | $267.5M | 13.1K t |
| 2017 | $166.7M | 7.5K t |
Where South Africa imports vehicle diesel engines from
Thailand alone supplied 62% of it. Among the main suppliers, Thailand grew fastest (+938% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand | $365.7M | 63% |
| Austria | $95.8M | 16% |
| Germany | $40.7M | 7% |
| United States | $25.9M | 4.4% |
| United Kingdom | $15.7M | 2.7% |
| South Korea | $6.2M | 1.1% |
| United Arab Emirates | $4.7M | 0.8% |
| India | $4.1M | 0.7% |
| Netherlands | $3.8M | 0.6% |
| China | $3.1M | 0.5% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $14.95 per kg, close to the world average of $15.56.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Vehicle diesel engines exports from South Africa
Exports of vehicle diesel engines by South Africa reached $71.2 million in 2024 (4.1 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Botswana (16%), Germany (15%), Zambia (13%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 43%. Among the main buyer markets, Mozambique grew fastest (+135% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $11.3M | 16% |
| Germany | $10.4M | 15% |
| Zambia | $9.0M | 13% |
| Mozambique | $8.3M | 12% |
| DR Congo | $7.7M | 11% |
| Turkey | $3.3M | 4.7% |
| United Kingdom | $3.0M | 4.2% |
| Australia | $2.1M | 2.9% |
| United States | $1.9M | 2.7% |
| Uruguay | $1.4M | 2% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa vehicle diesel engines imports (HS 8408.20): 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 8408.20: Engines: compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel or semi-diesel engines), of a kind used for the propulsion of vehicles of chapter 87.
Common questions
What is the value of vehicle diesel engines imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported vehicle diesel engines worth $585.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 39.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 14th of 204 countries worldwide, with 2% of world imports. The value was up 75% on 2023.
Which countries supply vehicle diesel engines to South Africa?
Thailand was the largest supplier with 62% of the value ($365.7 million), followed by Austria (16%) and Germany (7%). The top three together account for 86%, out of 46 supplier countries in total. Thailand grew fastest among the top ten, up 938% on the year.
What is the average import price of vehicle diesel engines per kg?
The average declared import value was about $14.95 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $15.56 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of vehicle diesel engines to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $166.7 million in 2017 to $585.5 million in 2024, an increase of 251%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $322.6 million a year.
Does South Africa also export vehicle diesel engines?
Yes. South Africa exported $71.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Botswana, Germany and Zambia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $514.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for vehicle diesel engines?
The HS code for vehicle diesel engines is subheading 8408.20. 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 8408 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for South Africa. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World vehicle diesel engines trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
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