Welded link chain exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $5.6 million of welded link chain in 2024 (2.1 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. That is 13% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $5.6M | 2.1K t |
| 2023 | $5.0M | 1.3K t |
| 2022 | $5.4M | 1.4K t |
| 2021 | $4.5M | 1.5K t |
| 2020 | $3.4M | 1.7K t |
| 2019 | $4.8M | 2.0K t |
| 2018 | $3.7M | 1.5K t |
| 2017 | $3.6M | 1.5K t |
Where South Africa exports welded link chain to
Most of it went to United Kingdom (40%), Germany (11%), United States (6%). Among the main buyer markets, DR Congo grew fastest (+538% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $2.2M | 40% |
| Germany | $634K | 11% |
| United States | $332K | 5.9% |
| Israel | $321K | 5.7% |
| Netherlands | $314K | 5.6% |
| Japan | $276K | 4.9% |
| DR Congo | $143K | 2.5% |
| Norway | $121K | 2.2% |
| Ireland | $106K | 1.9% |
| Zambia | $95K | 1.7% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.71 per kg, close to the world average of $3.00.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Welded link chain imports to South Africa
Imports of welded link chain by South Africa reached $3.8 million in 2024 (1.5 thousand tonnes). The largest suppliers were China (47%), Germany (29%), Japan (8%). Among the main suppliers, Japan grew fastest (+98% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $1.8M | 47% |
| Germany | $1.1M | 29% |
| Japan | $314K | 8.2% |
| Italy | $255K | 6.7% |
| Austria | $88K | 2.3% |
| Taiwan | $66K | 1.7% |
| South Korea | $47K | 1.2% |
| Netherlands | $36K | 1% |
| Finland | $21K | 0.6% |
| United Kingdom | $14K | 0.4% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa welded link chain exports (HS 7315.82): 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 7315.82: Chain: welded link chain, of iron or steel.
Common questions
What is the value of welded link chain exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported welded link chain worth $5.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 18th of 114 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 13% on 2023.
Which countries buy welded link chain from South Africa?
The United Kingdom was the largest buyer with 40% of the value ($2.2 million), followed by Germany (11%) and the United States (6%). The top three together account for 57%, out of 56 buyer countries in total. The DR Congo grew fastest among the top ten, up 538% on the year.
What is the average export price of welded link chain per kg?
The average declared export value was about $2.71 per kg in 2024, 10% below the world average of $3.00 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have exports of welded link chain from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $3.6 million in 2017 to $5.6 million in 2024, an increase of 58%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $4.5 million a year.
Does South Africa also import welded link chain?
Yes. South Africa imported $3.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, Germany and Japan. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $1.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for welded link chain?
The HS code for welded link chain is subheading 7315.82. It sits in HS chapter 73 (iron or steel articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7315 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
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