ZALast reviewed 2026-07-22

South Africa - Import & Export Regulatory Guide

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).

Open South Africa trade toolkit Compare South Africa vs other markets

Regulatory authorities

SARS Customs ↗
Customs entry, EDI SAD500 filings, valuation, AEO.
ITAC ↗
Import/export permits, tariff investigations, trade remedies.
NRCS ↗
Compulsory specifications (LOA) for regulated products.
SAHPRA
Health products - pharma, medical, IVDs.

Licensing regimes

Licence	Scope	Issuer
ITAC import permit	Second-hand goods, waste & scrap, chemicals, agriculture products.	ITAC
ITAC export permit	Ferrous & non-ferrous waste and scrap, minerals, weapons.	ITAC
NRCS Letter of Authority (LOA)	Electrical appliances, automotive, canned fish, milled products.	NRCS
Rebate item authorisation	Duty 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.

Key official sources

Frequently asked questions (2)

How does the scrap-metal export regime work?

Ferrous and non-ferrous waste and scrap must first be offered to domestic consumers at the ITAC-set Preferential Pricing System (PPS) discount for a minimum offer period. Only if unsold may exports be authorised, subject to an ITAC permit and (periodically) an export duty of up to 20%.

What is an ITAC rebate and when is it worth applying?

Rebate items in Schedules 3, 4 and 6 of the Customs Tariff allow duty-free entry of specific inputs (usually intermediate goods with no local production) when used in a defined manufacturing process. Rebate certificates are firm-specific, valid 1 year, and can be worth 10-30% of CIF depending on tariff.