| Intro | South Africa is the anchor economy of SACU (with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia) and applies SACU's common external tariff through SARS Customs. Import & export permits sit with the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC); FX runs via the South African Reserve Bank's Financial Surveillance Department (FinSurv). |
|---|
| Primary authorities | - SARS CustomsCustoms entry, EDI SAD500 filings, valuation, AEO.
- ITACImport/export permits, tariff investigations, trade remedies.
- NRCSCompulsory specifications (LOA) for regulated products.
- SAHPRAHealth products - pharma, medical, IVDs.
|
|---|
| Licensing regimes | - ITAC import permitSecond-hand goods, waste & scrap, chemicals, agriculture products. · ITAC
- ITAC export permitFerrous & non-ferrous waste and scrap, minerals, weapons. · ITAC
- NRCS Letter of Authority (LOA)Electrical appliances, automotive, canned fish, milled products. · NRCS
- Rebate item authorisationDuty rebate via SARS + ITAC (Schedule 3/4/6). · SARS/ITAC
|
|---|
| Prohibited goods | - · Used pneumatic tyres for vehicles (with narrow exceptions).
- · Right-hand-drive specifics without letter of authority.
- · Endangered species and derivatives (CITES).
- · Firearms outside FCA Act licences.
|
|---|
| Restricted goods | - · Ferrous & non-ferrous waste and scrap - export duty & preferential-pricing system + permit.
- · Chrome ore, coking coal, manganese - export permit conditions periodically applied.
- · Sugar - variable tariff (dollar-based reference).
- · Poultry - anti-dumping duties by origin.
|
|---|
| Labelling requirements | - · English-language labelling on prepackaged goods (R.146 for food).
- · NRCS specifications on regulated products.
- · Country of origin per Merchandise Marks Act.
- · Energy-efficiency labelling for covered appliances.
|
|---|
| Sanctions overlay | - · UNSC measures implemented via Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act & national gazette.
- · No autonomous secondary sanctions; FIC monitors financial-sector compliance.
- · Banks screen OFAC/EU/UK for correspondent-banking risk.
|
|---|
| Dispute resolution | Internal Administrative Appeal to SARS within 30 days; onward Tax Court and High Court. AFSA (Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa) is the primary institutional forum; ICC and LCIA common for cross-border. NY Convention party since 1976. |
|---|
| Official sources | |
|---|
