(Last updated: 9 Sep 2013)
Tariffs and regulations
Tariffs and duty rates are constantly revised and are subject to change without notice.
Austrade strongly recommends you reconfirm these prior to selling to South Africa.
For further information please see the International Trade Administration of South Africa website.
Tariffs and non-tariff barriers
Tariff
Three-column tariff based on the Harmonised System:
- First column - General Rates
- Second column - EU preferential
- Third column - SADC preferential
Most duties are ad valorem, based on the GATT Valuation Code (approximately FOB value (Incoterms 1990). MFN rates apply to GATT signatories (includes Australia). Specific duties based on weight are assessed on legal weight, unless otherwise provided. Legal weight includes the weight of containers or other wrapping usually sold with such goods in retail trade.
Many goods, especially industrial inputs, are duty free. Where duties apply, the rates generally fall between 5 per cent and 25 per cent, although protection can be quite high, with automobile tariffs at 50 per cent. Goods not less than R400 are not liable for customs duty and do not have to be entered on a bill of entry.
The South African Government is now in the process of simplifying the tariff system by consolidating categories of similar goods and reducing many tariff levels. The move to simplify the tariff system by reducing the number of separate tariff items has met with limited success; some tariffs have been reduced, while others, due to the combining of previous separate lists, have actually risen.
Non-tariff barriers
Import control is the responsibility of the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Import permits are valid from the date of issue until 31 December of that particular year. Import control will be removed on some of these goods in the future. Notice of changes will be published in the Government Gazette.
Importers must be registered with the Director, Import and Export Control and with the Commissioner, South African Revenue Services.
Foreign exchange allocation is subject to the prior approval of the Reserve Bank.
Documentary evidence of the transaction must be presented to authorised foreign exchange dealers.
Import permit application forms are available from:
The Director, Import and Export Control
Private Bag X192
Pretoria, 0001
Permits are required for the following:
- consumer goods (foodstuffs, clothing, fabrics, footwear and books)
- wood
- paper products
- motor and aviation fuels
- refined petroleum products
- specified chemicals
- raw wool
- specified rubber
- minerals
- firearms
- gambling machines
Importation of all second-hand goods is subject to import control and an import permit is required.
The importation of used vehicles is strictly controlled and import permits are issued only in very specific and defined circumstances. An original certificate issued by the South African Bureau of Standards also needs to accompany clearance for home consumption.
The prevailing import control policy with regard to the different categories of vehicles/parts thereof, covers:
- used motor vehicles for personal use
- specially designed vehicles
- used buses, trucks, taxis and coaches
- used engines
- used gearboxes
- used differentials
Import quotas apply to a range of products, including:
- meat and unprocessed primary products, including fresh produce
- petroleum products
- pesticides
- selected plastic raw materials and resins
- selected rubber items, including tyres and conveyor belts
- paper board
- certain apparel items
- selected machinery items, including transformers, lathes, mechanical shovels and some agricultural equipment items
- gold, silver and certain metal alloys
Insurance
One copy required by the importer (the original, if claims are to be paid in South Africa).
Weights and measures
The metric system.