Video recorder imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $21.4 million of video recorder in 2024 (691 tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is close to the 2023 level. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 7% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $35.0 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 | $21.4M | 691 t |
| 2023 | $21.2M | 707 t |
| 2022 | $20.9M | 696 t |
| 2021 | $28.6M | 1.4K t |
| 2020 | $20.3M | 1.8K t |
| 2019 | $27.9M | 7.9K t |
| 2018 | $30.6M | 3.8K t |
| 2017 | $35.0M | 4.1K t |
Where South Africa imports video recorder from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 85% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $18.1M | 85% |
| Belgium | $940K | 4.4% |
| United States | $468K | 2.2% |
| Poland | $325K | 1.5% |
| South Korea | $307K | 1.4% |
| Taiwan | $211K | 1% |
| Germany | $123K | 0.6% |
| Mexico | $121K | 0.6% |
| Singapore | $99K | 0.5% |
| Canada | $83K | 0.4% |
Product types under HS 8521
| 8521.90 | Video recording or reproducing apparatus: other than magnetic tape-type | 100% |
| 8521.10 | Video recording or reproducing apparatus: magnetic tape-type | 0.3% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8521.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $30.91 per kg, 41% below the world average of $52.72, 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.
Video recorder exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported video recorder worth $1.8 million (37 tonnes). Most of it went to Italy (17%), Botswana (13%), Ghana (12%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 41%. Among the main buyer markets, United States grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Italy | $303K | 17% |
| Botswana | $233K | 13% |
| Ghana | $212K | 12% |
| United Kingdom | $204K | 11% |
| Angola | $104K | 5.7% |
| Dominican Republic | $91K | 5% |
| Namibia | $86K | 4.7% |
| United States | $65K | 3.6% |
| Cote d'Ivoire | $50K | 2.7% |
| Eswatini | $48K | 2.6% |
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 8521: Video recording or reproducing apparatus.
Common questions
What is the value of video recorder imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported video recorder worth $21.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 691 tonnes. That ranks it 30th of 213 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 1% on 2023.
Which countries supply video recorder to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 85% of the value ($18.1 million), followed by Belgium (4%) and the United States (2%). The top three together account for 91%, out of 58 supplier countries in total. South Korea grew fastest among the top ten, up 168% on the year.
What is the average import price of video recorder per kg?
The average declared import value was about $30.91 per kg in 2024, 41% below the world average of $52.72 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 video recorder to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $35.0 million in 2017 to $21.4 million in 2024, a fall of 39%. The peak was 2017 at $35.0 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export video recorder?
Yes. South Africa exported $1.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Italy, Botswana and Ghana. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $19.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for video recorder?
The HS code for video recorder is heading 8521. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8521.90 (100% of the value) and 8521.10 (0%). 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 8521 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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