Weighing scale imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of weighing scale by South Africa reached $30.5 million in 2024 (4.0 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. The value was almost unchanged from 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 | $30.5M | 4.0K t |
| 2023 | $29.8M | 3.8K t |
| 2022 | $29.8M | 3.0K t |
| 2021 | $29.9M | 2.3K t |
| 2020 | $30.7M | 2.5K t |
| 2019 | $31.9M | 2.4K t |
| 2018 | $29.6M | 2.2K t |
| 2017 | $33.6M | 6.5K t |
Where South Africa imports weighing scale from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 53% of the value. Among the main suppliers, New Zealand grew fastest (+100% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $16.0M | 53% |
| Germany | $2.8M | 9.4% |
| United Kingdom | $1.8M | 5.8% |
| Japan | $1.5M | 4.8% |
| Denmark | $1.1M | 3.6% |
| United States | $1.0M | 3.4% |
| Italy | $935K | 3.1% |
| New Zealand | $812K | 2.7% |
| Netherlands | $740K | 2.4% |
| Indonesia | $418K | 1.4% |
Product types under HS 8423
| 8423.90 | Weighing machines: weights of all kinds, parts of weighing machinery | 27% |
| 8423.81 | Weighing machines: having a maximum weighing capacity not exceeding 30kg (excluding balances of a sensitivity of 5cg or better) | 22% |
| 8423.89 | Weighing machines: having a maximum weighing capacity exceeding 5000kg | 15% |
| 8423.30 | Weighing machines: constant weight scales and scales for discharging a predetermined weight of material into a bag or container, including hopper… | 12% |
| 8423.10 | Weighing machines: personal (including baby scales) and household scales | 9.2% |
| 8423.82 | Weighing machines: having a maximum weighing capacity exceeding 30kg but not exceeding 5000kg | 8.4% |
| 8423.20 | Weighing machines: scales for continuous weighing of goods on conveyors | 7.6% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8423.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $7.59 per kg, close to the world average of $8.20.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Weighing scale exports from South Africa
Exports of weighing scale by South Africa reached $15.0 million in 2024 (1.6 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Botswana (13%), Zimbabwe (13%), Zambia (12%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 38%. Among the main buyer markets, Germany grew fastest (+573% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $2.0M | 13% |
| Zimbabwe | $1.9M | 13% |
| Zambia | $1.8M | 12% |
| Mozambique | $1.4M | 9.4% |
| DR Congo | $1.4M | 9.4% |
| Namibia | $1.2M | 7.7% |
| Eswatini | $685K | 4.6% |
| New Zealand | $462K | 3.1% |
| Tanzania | $398K | 2.7% |
| Germany | $355K | 2.4% |
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 8423: Weighing machines; excluding balances of a sensitivity of 5cg or better, including weight operated counting or checking machines and weights of all kinds.
Common questions
What is the value of weighing scale imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported weighing scale worth $30.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 4.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 35th of 222 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 2% on 2023.
Which countries supply weighing scale to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 53% of the value ($16.0 million), followed by Germany (9%) and the United Kingdom (6%). The top three together account for 68%, out of 74 supplier countries in total. New Zealand grew fastest among the top ten, up 100% on the year.
What is the average import price of weighing scale per kg?
The average declared import value was about $7.59 per kg in 2024, 7% below the world average of $8.20 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 weighing scale to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $33.6 million in 2017 to $30.5 million in 2024, a fall of 9%. The peak was 2017 at $33.6 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export weighing scale?
Yes. South Africa exported $15.0 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $15.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for weighing scale?
The HS code for weighing scale is heading 8423. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8423.90 (27% of the value) and 8423.81 (22%). 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 8423 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.
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.