South Africa's imports slipped by 10.7% to a four-year low of ZAR 131.2 billion in February 2026, reflecting widespread declines across key categories. Purchases fell significantly for vehicles & transport equipment (-2.5%); base metals (-18%); machinery & electronics (-14%); chemical products (-10%) and original equipment components (-9%). Imports decreased mostly from the Americas (-22.5%), Europe (-18.5%) and Oceania (-17.3%), and, to a lesser extent, Asia (-5.9%) and Africa (-4.7%). source: South African Revenue Service

Imports in South Africa decreased to 131165.82 ZAR Million in February from 146820.82 ZAR Million in January of 2026. Imports in South Africa averaged 30776.09 ZAR Million from 1957 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 184982.88 ZAR Million in March of 2023 and a record low of 66.10 ZAR Million in September of 1961. This page provides the latest reported value for - South Africa Imports - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. South Africa Imports - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on April of 2026.

Imports in South Africa decreased to 131165.82 ZAR Million in February from 146820.82 ZAR Million in January of 2026. Imports in South Africa is expected to be 152000.00 ZAR Million by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the South Africa Imports is projected to trend around 158000.00 ZAR Million in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Balance of Trade 36920.00 8500.00 ZAR Million Feb 2026
Current Account 50169.00 -72028.00 ZAR Million Dec 2025
Current Account to GDP -0.50 -0.70 percent of GDP Dec 2025
Exports 168086.00 155325.00 ZAR Million Feb 2026
Exports by Category
Exports by Country
External Debt 200307.00 193047.00 USD Million Dec 2025
Foreign Direct Investment 41300.00 -21000.00 ZAR Million Dec 2025
Gold Reserves 125.50 125.47 Tonnes Dec 2025
Imports 131165.82 146820.82 ZAR Million Feb 2026
Imports by Category
Imports by Country
Terms of Trade 117.20 110.80 points Dec 2025
Terrorism Index 0.00 0.00 Points Dec 2025
Tourist Arrivals 1024787.00 1439386.00 Feb 2026
Weapons Sales 27.00 58.00 SIPRI TIV Million Dec 2024


South Africa Imports
South Africa main imports are: machinery (21.3 percent of total imports), mineral products (16.9 percent), chemicals (12.6 percent) and vehicles and aircraft vessels (7.7 percent). Main trading partners are China, India and the US.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
131165.82 146820.82 184982.88 66.10 1957 - 2026 ZAR Million Monthly
Current Prices, NSA


International Trade
Exports by Country  |   Exports by Category  |   Imports by Country  |   Imports by Category