Trade lane

What South Africa buys from Japan.

South Africa imported USD 2.0bn of manufactured and processed goods from Japan in 2024, down 7 per cent on 2022. That is 3 per cent of everything South Africa imported in these lines, and Japan is its number 5 source. Below: the 50 largest lines, the fastest growing, where Japan dominates, and where another country ships the same line for less a tonne.

Trade year 2024, compared with 2022. Unit values are customs values per tonne, declared at the border, not product prices.

USD 2.0bnfrom Japan in 2024 (USD 2.2bn in 2022)
3 per centof South Africa's imports in these lines, USD 68bn from every source
219product lines worth USD 1m or more on this lane
#5Japan's rank among South Africa's sources
The top 50

The largest lines on the lane, by 2024 value.

Each line shows what South Africa paid Japan for it at the border, Japan's share of everything South Africa imported in that line, how it changed since 2022, and the customs unit value per tonne where the weight is recorded. Together they are 69 per cent of the lane.

  1. 1

    Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), cylinder capacity over 2500ccHS 870333

    Share of South Africa's imports47 per cent, 21 source countries
    Changedown 6 per cent on 2022 (USD 168m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 21,829 a tonne, 7,228 tonnes
    USD 158min 2024
  2. 2

    Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a g.v.w. exceeding 5 tonnes but not...HS 870422

    Share of South Africa's imports74 per cent, 24 source countries
    Changefrom USD 8m in 2022
    Unit valueUSD 7,851 a tonne, 18,177 tonnes
    USD 143min 2024
  3. 3

    Vehicles: public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or...HS 870210

    Share of South Africa's imports85 per cent, 13 source countries
    Changeup 85 per cent on 2022 (USD 70m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 14,238 a tonne, 9,158 tonnes
    USD 130min 2024
  4. 4

    Printing machinery: parts and accessories, n.e.c. in item no. 8443.91HS 844399

    Share of South Africa's imports30 per cent, 89 source countries
    Changeup 11 per cent on 2022 (USD 81m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 87,329 a tonne, 1,030 tonnes
    USD 90min 2024
  5. 5

    Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on construction, mining or industrial handling vehicles and machinesHS 401180

    Share of South Africa's imports30 per cent, 34 source countries
    Changeup 33 per cent on 2022 (USD 48m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 4,949 a tonne, 12,863 tonnes
    USD 64min 2024
  6. 6

    Mechanical shovels, excavators and shovel loaders: with a 360 degree revolving super structureHS 842952

    Share of South Africa's imports16 per cent, 21 source countries
    Changedown 19 per cent on 2022 (USD 78m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 4,701 a tonne, 13,377 tonnes
    USD 63min 2024
  7. 7

    Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a gvw not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in...HS 870421

    Share of South Africa's imports16 per cent, 29 source countries
    Changedown 3 per cent on 2022 (USD 56m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 11,497 a tonne, 4,757 tonnes
    USD 55min 2024
  8. 8

    Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500ccHS 870322

    Share of South Africa's imports4 per cent, 27 source countries
    Changeup 138 per cent on 2022 (USD 22m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 14,394 a tonne, 3,715 tonnes
    USD 53min 2024
  9. 9

    Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000ccHS 870323

    Share of South Africa's imports9 per cent, 40 source countries
    Changedown 67 per cent on 2022 (USD 154m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 14,196 a tonne, 3,543 tonnes
    USD 50min 2024
  10. 10

    Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a g.v.w. exceeding 20 tonnes), n.e.c. in...HS 870423

    Share of South Africa's imports23 per cent, 18 source countries
    Changeup 11 per cent on 2022 (USD 36m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 8,762 a tonne, 4,560 tonnes
    USD 40min 2024
  11. 11

    Bulldozers and angledozers: self-propelled, track layingHS 842911

    Share of South Africa's imports37 per cent, 9 source countries
    Changeup 40 per cent on 2022 (USD 24m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 6,605 a tonne, 5,092 tonnes
    USD 34min 2024
  12. 12

    Vehicles: dumpers, designed for off-highway use, for transport of goodsHS 870410

    Share of South Africa's imports9 per cent, 21 source countries
    Changeup 70 per cent on 2022 (USD 18m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 12,770 a tonne, 2,421 tonnes
    USD 31min 2024
  13. 13

    Vehicles: with both spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine and electric motor for propulsion, incapable of being charged by plugging to external source of...HS 870340

    Share of South Africa's imports30 per cent, 10 source countries
    Changeup 52 per cent on 2022 (USD 19m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 9,940 a tonne, 2,936 tonnes
    USD 29min 2024
  14. 14

    Tractors: road tractors for semi-trailers, with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel)HS 870121

    Share of South Africa's imports3 per cent, 19 source countries
    Changeup 432 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 8,689 a tonne, 3,299 tonnes
    USD 29min 2024
  15. 15

    Machinery: parts of machines handling earth, minerals or ores and n.e.c. in heading no. 8431HS 843149

    Share of South Africa's imports7 per cent, 99 source countries
    Changedown 17 per cent on 2022 (USD 34m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 25,617 a tonne, 1,094 tonnes
    USD 28min 2024
  16. 16

    Front-end shovel loadersHS 842951

    Share of South Africa's imports11 per cent, 28 source countries
    Changedown 27 per cent on 2022 (USD 25m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 7,318 a tonne, 2,528 tonnes
    USD 18min 2024
  17. 17

    Vehicle parts: brakes, servo-brakes and parts thereofHS 870830

    Share of South Africa's imports7 per cent, 80 source countries
    Changedown 4 per cent on 2022 (USD 19m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 14,817 a tonne, 1,211 tonnes
    USD 18min 2024
  18. 18

    Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail saleHS 300490

    Share of South Africa's imports1 per cent, 90 source countries
    Changeup 33 per cent on 2022 (USD 13m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 18min 2024
  19. 19

    Iron or non-alloy steel: in coils, without patterns in relief, flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, of a thickness of less than 3mmHS 720839

    Share of South Africa's imports16 per cent, 10 source countries
    Changedown 29 per cent on 2022 (USD 25m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 574 a tonne, 30,772 tonnes
    USD 18min 2024
  20. 20

    Medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances: n.e.c. in heading no. 9018HS 901890

    Share of South Africa's imports5 per cent, 117 source countries
    Changeup 3 per cent on 2022 (USD 17m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 15,180 a tonne, 1,159 tonnes
    USD 18min 2024
  21. 21

    Iron or non-alloy steel: in coils, without patterns in relief, flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, pickled, of a thickness of less than 3mmHS 720827

    Share of South Africa's imports31 per cent, 11 source countries
    Changedown 45 per cent on 2022 (USD 31m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 773 a tonne, 22,506 tonnes
    USD 17min 2024
  22. 22

    Fork-lift and other works trucks: fitted with lifting or handling equipment, self-propelled by other than electric motorHS 842720

    Share of South Africa's imports15 per cent, 26 source countries
    Changedown 46 per cent on 2022 (USD 30m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 3,363 a tonne, 4,814 tonnes
    USD 16min 2024
  23. 23

    Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on buses or lorriesHS 401120

    Share of South Africa's imports6 per cent, 35 source countries
    Changeup 87 per cent on 2022 (USD 9m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 3,169 a tonne, 5,067 tonnes
    USD 16min 2024
  24. 24

    Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3000ccHS 870324

    Share of South Africa's imports9 per cent, 29 source countries
    Changedown 69 per cent on 2022 (USD 50m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 56,681 a tonne, 274 tonnes
    USD 16min 2024
  25. 25

    Electrical static convertersHS 850440

    Share of South Africa's imports2 per cent, 113 source countries
    Changedown 11 per cent on 2022 (USD 16m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 95,305 a tonne, 145 tonnes
    USD 14min 2024
  26. 26

    Vehicle parts and accessories: n.e.c. in heading no. 8708HS 870899

    Share of South Africa's imports3 per cent, 131 source countries
    Changedown 24 per cent on 2022 (USD 18m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 17,122 a tonne, 786 tonnes
    USD 13min 2024
  27. 27

    Graders and levellersHS 842920

    Share of South Africa's imports17 per cent, 15 source countries
    Changeup 140 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 5,961 a tonne, 2,231 tonnes
    USD 13min 2024
  28. 28

    Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, plated or coated with tin, thickness of less than 0.5mmHS 721012

    Share of South Africa's imports11 per cent, 13 source countries
    Changedown 32 per cent on 2022 (USD 20m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,115 a tonne, 11,884 tonnes
    USD 13min 2024
  29. 29

    Instruments and apparatus: using optical radiations (UV, visible, IR), (other than spectrometers, spectrophotometers and spectrographs)HS 902750

    Share of South Africa's imports18 per cent, 65 source countries
    Changeup 80 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 520,430 a tonne, 25 tonnes
    USD 13min 2024
  30. 30

    Vehicles: parts and accessories, of bodies, other than safety seat beltsHS 870829

    Share of South Africa's imports3 per cent, 101 source countries
    Changedown 23 per cent on 2022 (USD 14m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 17,708 a tonne, 619 tonnes
    USD 11min 2024
  31. 31

    Engines: outboard motors for marine propulsion, spark-ignition reciprocating or rotary internal combustion piston enginesHS 840721

    Share of South Africa's imports89 per cent, 15 source countries
    Changedown 23 per cent on 2022 (USD 14m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 26,603 a tonne, 398 tonnes
    USD 11min 2024
  32. 32

    Refractory bricks, blocks, tiles and similar refractory ceramic constructional goods: n.e.c. in item no. 6902.1 or 6902.2HS 690290

    Share of South Africa's imports30 per cent, 27 source countries
    Changeup 77 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 5,077 a tonne, 2,062 tonnes
    USD 10min 2024
  33. 33

    Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, for transport of goods, (of a g.v.w. not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in item no 8704.1HS 870431

    Share of South Africa's imports11 per cent, 17 source countries
    Changeup 37 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 10,158 a tonne, 1,030 tonnes
    USD 10min 2024
  34. 34

    Organo-sulphur compounds: methionineHS 293040

    Share of South Africa's imports21 per cent, 16 source countries
    Changedown 9 per cent on 2022 (USD 11m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 2,596 a tonne, 3,806 tonnes
    USD 10min 2024
  35. 35

    Ignition or starting equipment: spark plugs, of a kind used for spark or compression-ignition internal combustion enginesHS 851110

    Share of South Africa's imports32 per cent, 57 source countries
    Changedown 19 per cent on 2022 (USD 12m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 97,484 a tonne, 99 tonnes
    USD 10min 2024
  36. 36

    Ink: writing, drawing and other inks, n.e.c. in heading no. 3215, whether or not concentrated or solidHS 321590

    Share of South Africa's imports38 per cent, 55 source countries
    Changeup 36 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 26,143 a tonne, 355 tonnes
    USD 9min 2024
  37. 37

    Fibres: synthetic filament tow, acrylic or modacrylicHS 550130

    Share of South Africa's imports44 per cent, 12 source countries
    Changeup 21 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 6,320 a tonne, 1,421 tonnes
    USD 9min 2024
  38. 38

    Engines: parts, suitable for use solely or principally with spark-ignition internal combustion piston engines (for other than aircraft)HS 840991

    Share of South Africa's imports9 per cent, 98 source countries
    Changelevel with 2022 (USD 9m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 21,748 a tonne, 406 tonnes
    USD 9min 2024
  39. 39

    Catalysts, supported: reaction initiators, reaction accelerators and catalytic preparations, with precious metal or precious metal compounds as the active substance...HS 381512

    Share of South Africa's imports5 per cent, 23 source countries
    Changedown 57 per cent on 2022 (USD 20m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 53,421 a tonne, 159 tonnes
    USD 9min 2024
  40. 40

    Vehicle parts: gear boxes and parts thereofHS 870840

    Share of South Africa's imports6 per cent, 79 source countries
    Changedown 23 per cent on 2022 (USD 10m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 6,614 a tonne, 1,191 tonnes
    USD 8min 2024
  41. 41

    Vehicle parts: suspension systems and parts thereof (including shock-absorbers)HS 870880

    Share of South Africa's imports6 per cent, 86 source countries
    Changeup 2 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 10,645 a tonne, 731 tonnes
    USD 8min 2024
  42. 42

    Minerals: mixtures and articles of heat-insulating, sound-insulating or sound-absorbing mineral materials, other than those of heading no. 6811 or 6812 or of chapter 69HS 680690

    Share of South Africa's imports44 per cent, 32 source countries
    Changeup 19 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 8min 2024
  43. 43

    Odoriferous substances and mixtures: used as raw materials in industries other than the food or drink industriesHS 330290

    Share of South Africa's imports6 per cent, 67 source countries
    Changeup 86 per cent on 2022 (USD 4m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 7min 2024
  44. 44

    Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on motor cars (including station wagons and racing cars)HS 401110

    Share of South Africa's imports3 per cent, 45 source countries
    Changeup 3 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 5,439 a tonne, 1,299 tonnes
    USD 7min 2024
  45. 45

    Herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators: other than containing goods of Subheading Note 1 to this Chapter: put up in forms or packings for...HS 380893

    Share of South Africa's imports4 per cent, 31 source countries
    Changeup 21 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 7min 2024
  46. 46

    Boards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases: for electric control or the distribution of electricity, (other than switching apparatus of heading no. 8517), for a...HS 853710

    Share of South Africa's imports3 per cent, 103 source countries
    Changeup 29 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 85,261 a tonne, 82 tonnes
    USD 7min 2024
  47. 47

    Photographic goods: chemical preparations other than sensitised emulsions, put up in measured portions or put up for retail sale in a form ready for useHS 370790

    Share of South Africa's imports52 per cent, 32 source countries
    Changedown 15 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 38,794 a tonne, 177 tonnes
    USD 7min 2024
  48. 48

    Blood, human or animal, antisera, other blood fractions and immunological products: immunological products, put up in measured doses or in forms or packings for retail...HS 300215

    Share of South Africa's imports4 per cent, 42 source countries
    Changedown 5 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1.1m a tonne, 6.0 tonnes
    USD 7min 2024
  49. 49

    Machinery: parts for filtering or purifying liquids or gasesHS 842199

    Share of South Africa's imports2 per cent, 99 source countries
    Changeup 1 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 24,382 a tonne, 271 tonnes
    USD 7min 2024
  50. 50

    Reagents: diagnostic or laboratory reagents on a backing, prepared diagnostic or laboratory reagents whether or not on a backing, whether or not put up in the form of...HS 382219

    Share of South Africa's imports2 per cent, 79 source countries
    Changeup 35 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 51,650 a tonne, 128 tonnes
    USD 7min 2024
Fastest growing

The lines that grew most since 2022.

Lines worth at least USD 5m in 2022, ranked by growth to 2024 in current dollars. A fast rise can be a new product, a shift away from another source, or a price change; the record does not say which.

  1. Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a g.v.w. exceeding 5 tonnes but not...HS 870422USD 143m in 2024, from USD 8m in 2022. Japan supplies 74 per cent of the line.
  2. Tractors: road tractors for semi-trailers, with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel)HS 870121USD 29m in 2024, up 432 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022). Japan supplies 3 per cent of the line.
  3. Graders and levellersHS 842920USD 13m in 2024, up 140 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). Japan supplies 17 per cent of the line.
  4. Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500ccHS 870322USD 53m in 2024, up 138 per cent on 2022 (USD 22m in 2022). Japan supplies 4 per cent of the line.
  5. Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on buses or lorriesHS 401120USD 16m in 2024, up 87 per cent on 2022 (USD 9m in 2022). Japan supplies 6 per cent of the line.
  6. Vehicles: public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or...HS 870210USD 130m in 2024, up 85 per cent on 2022 (USD 70m in 2022). Japan supplies 85 per cent of the line.
  7. Instruments and apparatus: using optical radiations (UV, visible, IR), (other than spectrometers, spectrophotometers and spectrographs)HS 902750USD 13m in 2024, up 80 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022). Japan supplies 18 per cent of the line.
  8. Refractory bricks, blocks, tiles and similar refractory ceramic constructional goods: n.e.c. in item no. 6902.1 or 6902.2HS 690290USD 10m in 2024, up 77 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). Japan supplies 30 per cent of the line.
  9. Vehicles: dumpers, designed for off-highway use, for transport of goodsHS 870410USD 31m in 2024, up 70 per cent on 2022 (USD 18m in 2022). Japan supplies 9 per cent of the line.
  10. Vehicles: with both spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine and electric motor for propulsion, incapable of being charged by plugging to external source of...HS 870340USD 29m in 2024, up 52 per cent on 2022 (USD 19m in 2022). Japan supplies 30 per cent of the line.
  11. Bulldozers and angledozers: self-propelled, track layingHS 842911USD 34m in 2024, up 40 per cent on 2022 (USD 24m in 2022). Japan supplies 37 per cent of the line.
  12. Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, for transport of goods, (of a g.v.w. not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in item no 8704.1HS 870431USD 10m in 2024, up 37 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022). Japan supplies 11 per cent of the line.
  13. Ink: writing, drawing and other inks, n.e.c. in heading no. 3215, whether or not concentrated or solidHS 321590USD 9m in 2024, up 36 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022). Japan supplies 38 per cent of the line.
  14. Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail saleHS 300490USD 18m in 2024, up 33 per cent on 2022 (USD 13m in 2022). Japan supplies 1 per cent of the line.
  15. Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on construction, mining or industrial handling vehicles and machinesHS 401180USD 64m in 2024, up 33 per cent on 2022 (USD 48m in 2022). Japan supplies 30 per cent of the line.
  16. Boards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases: for electric control or the distribution of electricity, (other than switching apparatus of heading no. 8517), for a...HS 853710USD 7m in 2024, up 29 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022). Japan supplies 3 per cent of the line.
  17. Herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators: other than containing goods of Subheading Note 1 to this Chapter: put up in forms or packings for...HS 380893USD 7m in 2024, up 21 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). Japan supplies 4 per cent of the line.
  18. Fibres: synthetic filament tow, acrylic or modacrylicHS 550130USD 9m in 2024, up 21 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022). Japan supplies 44 per cent of the line.
  19. Minerals: mixtures and articles of heat-insulating, sound-insulating or sound-absorbing mineral materials, other than those of heading no. 6811 or 6812 or of chapter 69HS 680690USD 8m in 2024, up 19 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). Japan supplies 44 per cent of the line.
  20. Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a g.v.w. exceeding 20 tonnes), n.e.c. in...HS 870423USD 40m in 2024, up 11 per cent on 2022 (USD 36m in 2022). Japan supplies 23 per cent of the line.
Where Japan dominates

Lines where Japan supplies 60 per cent or more.

The largest lines worth USD 1m or more where Japan ships at least 60 per cent of what South Africa imports. This is supply concentration: how much of the line depends on one source country.

  1. Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a g.v.w. exceeding 5 tonnes but not...HS 87042274 per cent of South Africa's imports of the line, USD 143m; 24 source countries in all.
  2. Vehicles: public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or...HS 87021085 per cent of South Africa's imports of the line, USD 130m; 13 source countries in all.
  3. Engines: outboard motors for marine propulsion, spark-ignition reciprocating or rotary internal combustion piston enginesHS 84072189 per cent of South Africa's imports of the line, USD 11m; 15 source countries in all.
  4. Vehicles: public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), n.e.c. in heading 8702, new or usedHS 87029076 per cent of South Africa's imports of the line, USD 6m; 5 source countries in all.
  5. Vehicles: with both compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel/semi-diesel) and electric motors for propulsion, of a g.v.w. exceeding 5,000kg but...HS 870442100 per cent of South Africa's imports of the line, USD 1m; 1 source country in all.
Another source, lower unit value

Where another country ships the same line for at least 20 per cent less a tonne.

Lines worth USD 5m or more where Japan's unit value is recorded and another country also ships at least USD 5m of the same line to South Africa at a unit value at least 20 per cent lower. The largest such source is named. The same heading can hold different grades, so a lower figure is a question to ask, not a like-for-like price.

  1. Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), cylinder capacity over 2500ccHS 870333Japan: USD 158m at USD 21,829 a tonne. Thailand: USD 54m (16 per cent of the line) at USD 11,627 a tonne, 47 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 20,045 a tonne.
  2. Vehicles: public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or...HS 870210Japan: USD 130m at USD 14,238 a tonne. China: USD 6m (4 per cent of the line) at USD 5,499 a tonne, 61 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 12,418 a tonne.
  3. Printing machinery: parts and accessories, n.e.c. in item no. 8443.91HS 844399Japan: USD 90m at USD 87,329 a tonne. Germany: USD 12m (4 per cent of the line) at USD 46,502 a tonne, 47 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 79,213 a tonne.
  4. Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on construction, mining or industrial handling vehicles and machinesHS 401180Japan: USD 64m at USD 4,949 a tonne. China: USD 47m (22 per cent of the line) at USD 2,959 a tonne, 40 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 5,362 a tonne.
  5. Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a gvw not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in...HS 870421Japan: USD 55m at USD 11,497 a tonne. China: USD 61m (18 per cent of the line) at USD 4,640 a tonne, 60 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 9,135 a tonne.
  6. Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500ccHS 870322Japan: USD 53m at USD 14,394 a tonne. China: USD 384m (25 per cent of the line) at USD 6,798 a tonne, 53 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 11,984 a tonne.
  7. Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000ccHS 870323Japan: USD 50m at USD 14,196 a tonne. China: USD 193m (36 per cent of the line) at USD 8,836 a tonne, 38 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 17,496 a tonne.
  8. Bulldozers and angledozers: self-propelled, track layingHS 842911Japan: USD 34m at USD 6,605 a tonne. China: USD 12m (13 per cent of the line) at USD 4,399 a tonne, 33 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 6,651 a tonne.
  9. Vehicles: dumpers, designed for off-highway use, for transport of goodsHS 870410Japan: USD 31m at USD 12,770 a tonne. China: USD 33m (9 per cent of the line) at USD 4,297 a tonne, 66 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 11,846 a tonne.
  10. Vehicles: with both spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine and electric motor for propulsion, incapable of being charged by plugging to external source of...HS 870340Japan: USD 29m at USD 9,940 a tonne. China: USD 22m (23 per cent of the line) at USD 7,862 a tonne, 21 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 18,860 a tonne.
  11. Machinery: parts of machines handling earth, minerals or ores and n.e.c. in heading no. 8431HS 843149Japan: USD 28m at USD 25,617 a tonne. China: USD 101m (27 per cent of the line) at USD 4,035 a tonne, 84 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 17,006 a tonne.
  12. Front-end shovel loadersHS 842951Japan: USD 18m at USD 7,318 a tonne. China: USD 74m (43 per cent of the line) at USD 4,117 a tonne, 44 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 8,592 a tonne.
  13. Vehicle parts: brakes, servo-brakes and parts thereofHS 870830Japan: USD 18m at USD 14,817 a tonne. China: USD 63m (26 per cent of the line) at USD 2,232 a tonne, 85 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 10,009 a tonne.
  14. Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on buses or lorriesHS 401120Japan: USD 16m at USD 3,169 a tonne. China: USD 109m (41 per cent of the line) at USD 1,718 a tonne, 46 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 4,133 a tonne.
  15. Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3000ccHS 870324Japan: USD 16m at USD 56,681 a tonne. Germany: USD 29m (16 per cent of the line) at USD 21,376 a tonne, 62 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 66,414 a tonne.
  16. Electrical static convertersHS 850440Japan: USD 14m at USD 95,305 a tonne. China: USD 417m (63 per cent of the line) at USD 27,220 a tonne, 71 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 65,123 a tonne.
  17. Vehicle parts and accessories: n.e.c. in heading no. 8708HS 870899Japan: USD 13m at USD 17,122 a tonne. Germany: USD 107m (22 per cent of the line) at USD 10,092 a tonne, 41 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 10,612 a tonne.
  18. Vehicles: parts and accessories, of bodies, other than safety seat beltsHS 870829Japan: USD 11m at USD 17,708 a tonne. Germany: USD 92m (28 per cent of the line) at USD 3,510 a tonne, 80 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 11,152 a tonne.
  19. Refractory bricks, blocks, tiles and similar refractory ceramic constructional goods: n.e.c. in item no. 6902.1 or 6902.2HS 690290Japan: USD 10m at USD 5,077 a tonne. China: USD 9m (25 per cent of the line) at USD 1,487 a tonne, 71 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 3,778 a tonne.
  20. Ignition or starting equipment: spark plugs, of a kind used for spark or compression-ignition internal combustion enginesHS 851110Japan: USD 10m at USD 97,484 a tonne. Germany: USD 10m (33 per cent of the line) at USD 65,675 a tonne, 33 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 66,381 a tonne.
The other side of the lane

What South Africa buys from everyone, and what it is placed to make.

What this record says

What crossed the border, what it was worth, and what it weighed.

Every figure on this page is from CEPII's BACI file, which reconciles what each pair of countries reports to the UN about the same shipment. Trade year 2024, compared with 2022. A line is one six-digit customs heading (HS 2022). Values are in US dollars at the border; growth is in current dollars, so part of any change is price, not volume.

Unit value. Unit values are customs values per tonne, declared at the border, not product prices. It is the value of a line divided by its declared weight, so it mixes grades, models and qualities under one heading. It is shown only where the weight is recorded, at least three source countries of USD 100k or more ship the line to South Africa with a weight, and the figure sits within a factor of five of the middle of those sources. Outside that band it is treated as a recording problem and left out.

Share is Japan's part of everything South Africa imported in that line, from every source. Sources counts the countries that shipped any of it.

Scope. Manufactured and processed goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, without ores, fuels, precious metals, scrap, raw farm output and one-off capital and defence purchases: the same rule as the Made here pages.

What it does not say

A record of trade, not a shopping list.

What this record does not say: what sells at retail, what margin a trade leaves, how crowded the marketplaces are, or how much of a flow is re-exported through entrepots such as Hong Kong and Singapore.

A large line is not proof of an opening, and a lower unit value from another country is not proof the goods are the same. Tariffs, standards, freight, payment terms, lead times and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. Nothing on this page is a forecast, a recommendation or a promise. No supplier company is named, because the record holds none.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601. Edition of 2026-11-03.

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