Watches imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported watches worth $85.0 million (1.1 thousand tonnes). Value rose 23% 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 | $85.0M | 1.1K t |
| 2023 | $69.4M | 868 t |
| 2022 | $75.1M | 973 t |
| 2021 | $53.7M | 2.0K t |
| 2020 | $40.5M | 619 t |
| 2019 | $65.4M | 436 t |
| 2018 | $72.1M | 507 t |
| 2017 | $73.8M | 1.9K t |
Where South Africa imports watches from
The largest suppliers were Switzerland (43%), China (41%), Hong Kong (9%). Among the main suppliers, Hong Kong grew fastest (+746% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | $36.4M | 43% |
| China | $35.0M | 41% |
| Hong Kong | $7.8M | 9.1% |
| Germany | $996K | 1.2% |
| Vietnam | $837K | 1% |
| France | $666K | 0.8% |
| United States | $586K | 0.7% |
| Japan | $554K | 0.7% |
| United Kingdom | $412K | 0.5% |
| Sweden | $336K | 0.4% |
Product types under HS 9102
| 9102.11 | Wrist-watches: electrically operated, with or without a stop-watch, (other than those of heading no. 9101) with mechanical display only | 41% |
| 9102.21 | Wrist-watches: whether or not incorporating a stop-watch facility, with automatic winding | 34% |
| 9102.12 | Wrist-watches: electrically operated, with or without a stop-watch, (other than those of heading no. 9101) with opto-electronic display only | 14% |
| 9102.29 | Wrist-watches: whether or not incorporating a stop-watch facility, with other than automatic winding | 4% |
| 9102.19 | Wrist-watches: electrically operated, with or without a stop-watch, (other than those of heading no. 9101) without mechanical or opto-electronic… | 3.8% |
| 9102.99 | Pocket watches and other watches, including stop-watches: (excluding wrist-watches), other than those of heading no. 9101, other than electrically… | 2.4% |
| 9102.91 | Pocket watches and other watches, including stop-watches: (excluding wrist-watches), other than those of heading no. 9101, electrically operated | 0.3% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 9102.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $77.39 per kg, 76% below the world average of $321.57, 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.
Watches exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported watches worth $7.4 million (79 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were United Arab Emirates (21%), Hong Kong (18%), Switzerland (10%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 49%. Among the main buyer markets, United Arab Emirates grew fastest (+415% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | $1.6M | 21% |
| Hong Kong | $1.3M | 18% |
| Switzerland | $703K | 9.5% |
| Namibia | $633K | 8.6% |
| United States | $585K | 7.9% |
| Botswana | $509K | 6.9% |
| Zambia | $278K | 3.8% |
| Mauritius | $261K | 3.5% |
| United Kingdom | $257K | 3.5% |
| Eswatini | $219K | 3% |
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 9102: Wrist-watches, pocket-watches, stop-watches and other watches, other than those of heading no. 9101.
Common questions
What is the value of watches imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported watches worth $85.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 42nd of 215 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 23% on 2023.
Which countries supply watches to South Africa?
Switzerland was the largest supplier with 43% of the value ($36.4 million), followed by China (41%) and Hong Kong (9%). The top three together account for 93%, out of 77 supplier countries in total. Hong Kong grew fastest among the top ten, up 746% on the year.
What is the average import price of watches per kg?
The average declared import value was about $77.39 per kg in 2024, 76% below the world average of $321.57 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 watches to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $73.8 million in 2017 to $85.0 million in 2024, an increase of 15%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export watches?
Yes. South Africa exported $7.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and Switzerland. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $77.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for watches?
The HS code for watches is heading 9102. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 9102.11 (41% of the value) and 9102.21 (34%). It sits in HS chapter 91 (clocks and watches and parts thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 9102 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.
More trade data for South Africa
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