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
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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
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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
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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
Enroll Business South Africa - Business directory for 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
May 1st, 2025
Communication - Marketing - Advertising - Sponsorship - Incentive - Products and services for weddings - Amusement parks, fairgrounds - Tourism, travel, hotels, restaurants: non-specialist - Hotels, accommodation - Restaurants, home deliveries - Cafes, bars, nightclubs - Travel, exhibitions, incentives - Monuments, tourist attractions - Camping, resorts - e-commerce
May 6th, 2025
Machine tools, agricultural machinery - Robotics - Precision, measures, optics, watches - Software
May 12th, 2025
Products and services for weddings - Amusement parks, fairgrounds - Hotels, accommodation - Restaurants, home deliveries - Cafes, bars, nightclubs - Travel, exhibitions, incentives - Monuments, tourist attractions - Camping, resorts
May 13th, 2025
Insurance, mutual funds, pension funds - Banks - Investment funds, other financial institutions - Stock Exchange, investments - Financing, aid - Land planning, urban planning - Construction, public works - Railway construction - Mail, stamps, cards - Industry service - Transportation, logistics, handling - Air transport, airports - Maritime transport, river transport, cruises - Road transport - Rail transport - Logistics, handling - Delivery, express courier - Corporate fleets - Freight
May 20th, 2025
Land planning, urban planning - Construction, public works - Natural resource management, ecology - Pollution - Urban and industrial waste - Water treatment - Energy - Oil - Gas - Electric energy - Renewable energy - Electricity, electronics - Electrical equipment - Electronic equipment and components - Embedded systems - Technique and technology - Engineering - Recycling - Hydrogen
June 1st, 2025
Viticulture - Furnishings, household equipment and arts - Household hardware - Food industry - Food industry: unspecified - Alcoholic drinks - Non-alcoholic drinks - Bakery, pastry, confectionery - Cereals, spices, tobacco - Fruits and vegetables - Dry groceries, packaged goods - Dairy products - Fish and seafood - Meat and poultry - Wines, spirits - Products and services for weddings - Hotels, accommodation - Restaurants, home deliveries - Cafes, bars, nightclubs
June 3rd, 2025
Construction, public works - Masonry, carpentry, pipework - Waterproofing, roofing, plumbing, carpentry - Painting, door and window frames, wall and floor coverings - Electrical installations - Heating, air conditioning, ventilation - Sanitary equipment, kitchen, swimming pool - Armament, arms - Industry service - Databases - Computers, telecommunications - Equipment - Cleaning, surveillance, protection
June 3rd, 2025
Construction, public works - Masonry, carpentry, pipework - Waterproofing, roofing, plumbing, carpentry - Painting, door and window frames, wall and floor coverings - Electrical installations - Heating, air conditioning, ventilation - Sanitary equipment, kitchen, swimming pool - Industry service - Health, medicine - Medical professions - Services and business consulting - Cleaning, surveillance, protection
June 3rd, 2025
Construction, public works - Masonry, carpentry, pipework - Waterproofing, roofing, plumbing, carpentry - Painting, door and window frames, wall and floor coverings - Electrical installations - Heating, air conditioning, ventilation - Sanitary equipment, kitchen, swimming pool - Industry service - Services and business consulting - Cleaning, surveillance, protection
June 3rd, 2025
Land planning, urban planning - Construction, public works - Masonry, carpentry, pipework - Waterproofing, roofing, plumbing, carpentry - Painting, door and window frames, wall and floor coverings - Electrical installations - Heating, air conditioning, ventilation - Sanitary equipment, kitchen, swimming pool - Industry service - Health, medicine - Medical professions - Cleaning, surveillance, protection
Other Useful Resources
- Trade Agencies and Their Representations Abroad
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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
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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.
Controlling the Quality of the Products
- Quality Control Organizations
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South African Society for Quality
South African Quality Institute
Organizing Goods Transport To and From South Africa
- Main Useful Means of Transport
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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 Sea
- Ports
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Port of Durban
Port of Cape Town
Port of Port Elizabeth
Port of Richards Bay
Port of East London
Ports and Ships
- Transport Professionals
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Maritime Services Directory
- Government Transport Organisations
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National Ports Authority (NPA)
By Air
- Airports
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O.R. Tambo International Airport – Johannesburg
Cape Town International Airport
King Shaka International Airport
Bram Fischer Airport
Port Elizabeth Airport
George Airport
- Transport Professionals
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SAFAIR
South African Airways
- Government Transport Organisations
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Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA)
By Road
- Transport Professionals
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The Road Freight Association
Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS), Cape Town
- Government Transport Organisations
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The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL)
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Latest Update: March 2025