South Africa: Buying

In this page: Customs Procedures | Industrial and Manufacturing Profile | Identifying a Supplier | Controlling the Quality of the Products | Organizing Goods Transport To and From South Africa

Customs Procedures

Export Clearance: To export certain goods out of South Africa, a permit is required to ensure compliance with the applicable export control measures. For more information, click here.
After the receipt of the goods in the dock, the exporter may contact the Customs Officer designated for the purpose and present the checklist with the endorsement of Port Authority and other declarations along with all original documents. Customs Officer may verify the quantity of the goods actually received. If satisfied that the particulars conform to the description given in the original documents, he may proceed to allow "let export" for the shipment.
Necessary Declaration: The Bill of lading is a contract of carriage and has three functions. It defines in detail, the terms of the contract between the shipper and the shipping line for the carriage of goods from one specified port to another. It is a formal, signed receipt for a specified number of packs which is given to the shipper by the shipping line when the shipping line receives the consignment. It is a document of title (i.e. a certificate of ownership) to the goods. As such, it must be produced at the port of final destination by the consignee in order to claim the goods. There are different forms according to the means of transport of the exported goods: air waybill, rail waybill, road waybill. The bill contains the prescribed details such as the name of the exporter, consignee, invoice number, details of packing, description of goods, quantity, FOB value, etc.

Along with the Bill of lading, other documents such as copy of packing list, invoices, export contract or permit, letter of credit, certificate of origin etc. are also to be submitted.
Restrictions: There are restrictions on import/export of certain goods. For example, all used goods, second-hand goods, waste and scrap are subject to import control measures. A list of goods subject to import/ export control measures is available on the ITAC website.
Export Taxes: No tax is levied on exports; in fact the exporters are provided incentives in certain categories. Exports are also exempt from consumption tax.

Industrial and Manufacturing Profile

South Africa is the world's largest producer and exporter of platinum and one of the major producer of gold and diamonds. Moreover, in 2018, South Africa was the seventh largest coal producer and consumer in the world.

In 2018 the mining sector contributed R351 billion to the South African gross domestic product (GDP). A total of 456,438 people were employed in the mining sector in 2018.

The industrial sector constitutes 26% of South Africa's GDP in 2019 (World Bank). Due to the country's diverse manufacturing industry, it is a world leader in several specialised sectors, including railway rolling stock, synthetic fuels, and mining equipment and machinery.

Sector-specific professional associations

225 professional associations listed for South Africa.

Type of Manufacturers

Original Equipment Manufacturers: Many OEMs are set up in the country, particularly in sectors like automobile, textile, electronics, and engineering equipment. One of the major reasons behind growth of the OEMs in South Africa is the availability of low-cost but skilled manpower in the country. Moreover the growing domestic market is equally attractive.
Original Design Manufacturers: The designing in South Africa is now gathering momentum in the country. There are a few good R&D centers operating in the country. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research provides multi-disciplinary research and development for industrial application. Moreover there are R&D professionals available which could be an asset for multinational companies setting up their design centers in the country.

Sometimes OEMs also offer the services of ODMs.
Subcontractors: Low labor cost combined with availability of skilled manpower makes South Africa an attractive destination for subcontracting. Subcontracting is well established in sectors like automobile ancillaries, textile & garment, and mechanical engineering.

Identifying a Supplier

South african multisector Business directories

BizWiz Acomodation - Online accomodation and travel directory in South Africa

Bloombiz South Africa - Business directory for South Africa

City By App South Africa - Business directory for South Africa

Cybo South Africa - Business directory for South Africa

Directory of companies in South Africa - Search in Africa - South Africa

Enroll Business South Africa - Multisector directory for the South African market

Expat.com South Africa - Business directory for South Africa

Expatica South Africa - Business directory for South Africa

ezSearch business directory - Businesses in South Africa

Hotfrog South Africa - South African business directory

To see 13 more, check out our Business Directories database.

South african Marketplaces

Sample of marketplaces incorporated in South Africa (A to Z)

Upcoming Trade shows in South Africa

CIE - CONSTRUCTION INTERNATIONAL EXPO - SOUTH AFRICA

January 1st, 2026

MEETINGS AFRICA

February 1st, 2026

POWER & ELECTRICITY WORLD AFRICA

March 1st, 2026

POWER GENERATION WORLD AFRICA

March 1st, 2026

March 1st, 2026

March 3rd, 2026

March 8th, 2026

March 11th, 2026

March 11th, 2026

DLP EXPO ADRICA - DAIRY LIVESTOCK & POULTRY

March 11th, 2026

To see 142 more, check out our Trade shows database

Other Useful Resources

Trade Agencies and Their Representations Abroad: South African College of Business
The South African Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Minerals Council Of South Africa
Trade and Investment South Africa (TISA), works under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
Contact Your Commercial Representations in South Africa: Mauritian Embassy in South Africa
1163 Pretorius Street
Hatfield 0083
Pretoria, Republic of South Africa
Phone: (27) 12 342 1283/4
Fax: (27) 12 342 1286
Contact the Embassy per Email.

Finding Assistance

Recommended Resource

Department of Transport

South African Road Federation (SARF)

Controlling the Quality of the Products

Quality Control Organizations: South African Society for Quality
South African Quality Institute

Organizing Goods Transport To and From South Africa

Main Useful Means of Transport: According to Stats SA, revenues from freight transport fell by 15.2%, taking into account the difference between revenues in the second quarter of 2019 and those in the second quarter of 2020.
80% of all freight carried in South Africa is done so by road. About 69% of road-freight tonnage is carried by firms or operators transporting freight in the course of their business, and 29% by road haulage firms. Rail freight data in South Africa recorded 16,086,000 tonnes in July 2020, while road data amounted to 52,668,000 tonnes in July 2020.

For more information, consult the South African Association of Freight Forwarders' website.

By Rail

Transport Professionals: Transnet
Government Transport Organisations: Transnet

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South Africa: Buying

Customs Procedures

Industrial and Manufacturing Profile

Sector-specific professional associations

Type of Manufacturers

Identifying a Supplier

South african multisector Business directories

South african Marketplaces

Upcoming Trade shows in South Africa

Other Useful Resources

Finding Assistance

Controlling the Quality of the Products

Organizing Goods Transport To and From South Africa

By Sea

By Air

By Road

By Rail