Wood working machine imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $35.2 million of wood working machine in 2024 (3.3 thousand tonnes). Value rose 81% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2018, at $51.8 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 | $35.2M | 3.3K t |
| 2023 | $19.5M | 1.4K t |
| 2022 | $33.7M | 2.6K t |
| 2021 | $32.9M | 2.9K t |
| 2020 | $26.9M | 9.9K t |
| 2019 | $29.0M | 2.3K t |
| 2018 | $51.8M | 4.8K t |
| 2017 | $38.5M | 3.0K t |
Where South Africa imports wood working machine from
The largest suppliers were China (42%), Italy (11%), Finland (10%). Among the main suppliers, Finland grew fastest (+696% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $14.9M | 42% |
| Italy | $4.0M | 12% |
| Finland | $3.6M | 10% |
| Austria | $2.6M | 7.4% |
| Germany | $1.8M | 5% |
| India | $1.5M | 4.3% |
| Switzerland | $1.1M | 3.3% |
| Poland | $1.0M | 2.9% |
| United States | $704K | 2% |
| Brazil | $687K | 2% |
Product types under HS 8465
| 8465.99 | Machine-tools: for working wood, cork, bone, hard rubber, hard plastics or similar hard materials: n.e.c. in heading no. 8465 | 59% |
| 8465.91 | Machine-tools: for working wood, cork, bone, hard rubber, hard plastics or similar hard materials: sawing machines | 16% |
| 8465.10 | Machine-tools: which can carry out different types of machining operations without tool change between such operations, for working wood, cork, bone… | 6.2% |
| 8465.92 | Machine-tools: for working wood, cork, bone, hard rubber, hard plastics or similar hard materials: planing, milling or moulding (by cutting) machines | 4.5% |
| 8465.94 | Machine-tools: for working wood, cork, bone, hard rubber, hard plastics or similar hard materials: bending or assembling machines | 4.4% |
| 8465.96 | Machine-tools: for working wood, cork, bone, hard rubber, hard plastics or similar hard materials: splitting, slicing or paring machines | 3.8% |
| 8465.20 | Machine-tools: for working wood, cork, bone, hard rubber, hard plastics or similar hard materials: machining centres | 3.3% |
| 8465.93 | Machine-tools: for working wood, cork, bone, hard rubber, hard plastics or similar hard materials: grinding, sanding or polishing machines | 2% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8465.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $10.56 per kg, close to the world average of $10.06.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Wood working machine exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported wood working machine worth $4.5 million (723 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Namibia (18%), Zimbabwe (12%), Botswana (9%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 40%. Among the main buyer markets, Lesotho grew fastest (+157% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $808K | 18% |
| Zimbabwe | $545K | 12% |
| Botswana | $425K | 9.5% |
| Zambia | $397K | 8.9% |
| DR Congo | $374K | 8.3% |
| Eswatini | $252K | 5.6% |
| Mozambique | $222K | 5% |
| Australia | $213K | 4.8% |
| Lesotho | $184K | 4.1% |
| Malawi | $164K | 3.7% |
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 8465: Machine-tools; (including machines for nailing, stapling, glueing or otherwise assembling) for working wood, cork, bone, hard plastics or rubber or similar hard materials.
Common questions
What is the value of wood working machine imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported wood working machine worth $35.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 3.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 48th of 216 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 81% on 2023.
Which countries supply wood working machine to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 42% of the value ($14.9 million), followed by Italy (11%) and Finland (10%). The top three together account for 64%, out of 56 supplier countries in total. The United States grew fastest among the top ten, up 799% on the year.
What is the average import price of wood working machine per kg?
The average declared import value was about $10.56 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $10.06 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 wood working machine to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $38.5 million in 2017 to $35.2 million in 2024, a fall of 9%. The peak was 2018 at $51.8 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export wood working machine?
Yes. South Africa exported $4.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $30.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for wood working machine?
The HS code for wood working machine is heading 8465. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8465.99 (59% of the value) and 8465.91 (16%). 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 8465 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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