Welding supplies imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $22.9 million of welding supplies in 2024 (13.4 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 | $22.9M | 13.4K t |
| 2023 | $23.1M | 11.9K t |
| 2022 | $22.0M | 9.4K t |
| 2021 | $23.7M | 11.0K t |
| 2020 | $18.7M | 10.6K t |
| 2019 | $22.0M | 10.9K t |
| 2018 | $25.9M | 12.3K t |
| 2017 | $26.5M | 13.5K t |
Where South Africa imports welding supplies from
The largest suppliers were China (49%), India (6%), Sweden (5%). Among the main suppliers, Sweden grew fastest (+192% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $11.1M | 49% |
| India | $1.4M | 6.1% |
| Sweden | $1.2M | 5.1% |
| South Korea | $1.1M | 5% |
| United States | $1.0M | 4.5% |
| Vietnam | $1.0M | 4.4% |
| Indonesia | $923K | 4% |
| Thailand | $746K | 3.3% |
| Italy | $711K | 3.1% |
| Taiwan | $595K | 2.6% |
Product types under HS 8311
| 8311.10 | Electrodes: coated, of base metal, for electric arc-welding | 39% |
| 8311.20 | Wire: cored, of base metal, for electric arc-welding | 28% |
| 8311.30 | Rods and wire: coated rods and cored wire, of base metal, for soldering, brazing or welding by flame | 19% |
| 8311.90 | Wires, rods, tubes, plates, electrodes of base metal or metal carbides: of a kind used for soldering, brazing, welding: wires and rods for metal… | 15% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8311.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.71 per kg, 44% below the world average of $3.05, 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.
Welding supplies exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $20.9 million of welding supplies in 2024 (5.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Most of it went to Zambia (19%), Zimbabwe (19%), Namibia (11%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 49%. Among the main buyer markets, Angola grew fastest (+114% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $4.1M | 19% |
| Zimbabwe | $4.0M | 19% |
| Namibia | $2.2M | 11% |
| Mozambique | $1.9M | 9% |
| Botswana | $1.4M | 6.8% |
| Malawi | $1.3M | 6.2% |
| DR Congo | $1.2M | 5.5% |
| Eswatini | $1.0M | 4.9% |
| Angola | $790K | 3.8% |
| Tanzania | $567K | 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 8311: Wires, rods, tubes, plates, electrodes of base metal or metal carbides; of a kind used for soldering, brazing, welding; wires and rods for metal spraying.
Common questions
What is the value of welding supplies imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported welding supplies worth $22.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 13.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 37th of 219 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 1% on 2023.
Which countries supply welding supplies to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 49% of the value ($11.1 million), followed by India (6%) and Sweden (5%). The top three together account for 60%, out of 49 supplier countries in total. Sweden grew fastest among the top ten, up 192% on the year.
What is the average import price of welding supplies per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.71 per kg in 2024, 44% below the world average of $3.05 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 welding supplies to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $26.5 million in 2017 to $22.9 million in 2024, a fall of 14%. The peak was 2017 at $26.5 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export welding supplies?
Yes. South Africa exported $20.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia. That compares with imports of $22.9 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for welding supplies?
The HS code for welding supplies is heading 8311. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8311.10 (39% of the value) and 8311.20 (27%). It sits in HS chapter 83 (metal; miscellaneous products of base metal). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8311 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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