Vehicle parts and accessories imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported vehicle parts and accessories worth $2.28 billion (272.0 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is close to the 2023 level. 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 | $2.28B | 272.0K t |
| 2023 | $2.26B | 271.3K t |
| 2022 | $2.24B | 376.6K t |
| 2021 | $2.02B | 237.0K t |
| 2020 | $1.49B | 175.8K t |
| 2019 | $2.04B | 228.2K t |
| 2018 | $1.93B | 218.7K t |
| 2017 | $1.79B | 210.7K t |
Where South Africa imports vehicle parts and accessories from
The largest suppliers were Germany (28%), China (18%), Thailand (9%). Among the main suppliers, India grew fastest (+72% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | $647.5M | 28% |
| China | $404.8M | 18% |
| Thailand | $201.6M | 8.9% |
| United States | $170.5M | 7.5% |
| India | $151.7M | 6.7% |
| Japan | $89.2M | 3.9% |
| Spain | $88.3M | 3.9% |
| Poland | $63.7M | 2.8% |
| Czech Republic | $58.3M | 2.6% |
| South Korea | $48.4M | 2.1% |
Product types under HS 8708
| 8708.99 | Vehicle parts and accessories: n.e.c. in heading no. 8708 | 23% |
| 8708.29 | Vehicles: parts and accessories, of bodies, other than safety seat belts | 21% |
| 8708.50 | Vehicle parts: drive-axles with differential, whether or not provided with other transmission components, and non-driving axles: parts thereof | 11% |
| 8708.30 | Vehicle parts: brakes, servo-brakes and parts thereof | 11% |
| 8708.40 | Vehicle parts: gear boxes and parts thereof | 7.7% |
| 8708.80 | Vehicle parts: suspension systems and parts thereof (including shock-absorbers) | 5.7% |
| 8708.94 | Vehicle parts: steering wheels, steering columns and steering boxes: parts thereof | 5% |
| 8708.70 | Vehicle parts: road wheels and parts and accessories thereof | 3.4% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8708.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $8.37 per kg, close to the world average of $9.69.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Vehicle parts and accessories exports from South Africa
Exports of vehicle parts and accessories by South Africa reached $685.8 million in 2024 (63.4 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Germany (23%), United States (10%), Botswana (8%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 40%.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | $156.9M | 23% |
| United States | $68.0M | 9.9% |
| Botswana | $52.3M | 7.6% |
| Namibia | $46.7M | 6.8% |
| Belgium | $28.5M | 4.2% |
| Zambia | $27.8M | 4.1% |
| Mozambique | $23.9M | 3.5% |
| Argentina | $20.6M | 3% |
| DR Congo | $20.5M | 3% |
| United Kingdom | $18.8M | 2.7% |
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 8708: Motor vehicles; parts and accessories, of heading no. 8701 to 8705.
Common questions
What is the value of vehicle parts and accessories imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported vehicle parts and accessories worth $2.28 billion in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 272.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 34th of 226 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 1% on 2023.
Which countries supply vehicle parts and accessories to South Africa?
Germany was the largest supplier with 28% of the value ($647.5 million), followed by China (18%) and Thailand (9%). The top three together account for 55%, out of 154 supplier countries in total. India grew fastest among the top ten, up 72% on the year.
What is the average import price of vehicle parts and accessories per kg?
The average declared import value was about $8.37 per kg in 2024, 14% below the world average of $9.69 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 vehicle parts and accessories to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $1.79 billion in 2017 to $2.28 billion in 2024, an increase of 27%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export vehicle parts and accessories?
Yes. South Africa exported $685.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Germany, the United States and Botswana. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $1.59 billion a year.
What is the HS code for vehicle parts and accessories?
The HS code for vehicle parts and accessories is heading 8708. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8708.99 (23% of the value) and 8708.29 (21%). 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 8708 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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