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Promote:South Africa

Export from South Africa

A short guide for companies selling from South Africa: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.

1. What South Africa sells, and who buys it

Top goods exports

2025

  1. 1. Platinum (HS 7110)US$11.9 billion
  2. 2. Gold (HS 7108)US$9.64 billion
  3. 3. Passenger cars (HS 8703)US$7.71 billion
  4. 4. Goods transport vehicles (HS 8704)US$6.24 billion
  5. 5. Iron ore (HS 2601)US$5.93 billion
  6. 6. Coal (HS 2701)US$5.33 billion
  7. 7. Chromium ore (HS 2610)US$5.18 billion
  8. 8. Manganese ore (HS 2602)US$3.03 billion
Show 12 more products
  1. 9. Citrus fruit (HS 0805)US$2.53 billion
  2. 10. Refined petroleum products (HS 2710)US$2.37 billion
  3. 11. Ferro-alloys (HS 7202)US$2.03 billion
  4. 12. Unwrought aluminum (HS 7601)US$1.76 billion
  5. 13. Diamonds (HS 7102)US$1.66 billion
  6. 14. Precious metal ores (HS 2616)US$1.47 billion
  7. 15. Filtering and centrifuge machinery (HS 8421)US$1.19 billion
  8. 16. Grapes (HS 0806)US$1.13 billion
  9. 17. Electricity (HS 2716)US$1.09 billion
  10. 18. Apples and pears (HS 0808)US$920.9 million
  11. 19. Dissolving wood pulp (HS 4702)US$906.5 million
  12. 20. Maize (HS 1005)US$756.7 million
  • Platinum and gold together make 18.6 percent of 2025 export value, and mined and smelted goods fill much of the top 30. Source⁠ (opens in a new tab)
  • Flow X includes re-exports, which South Africa reported at US$222 million in 2025, so a few lines include goods that passed through. Source⁠ (opens in a new tab)

Source: UN Comtrade, South Africa exports by product, 2025⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025

Where the goods go

2025, share of goods exports

  • China10.7%
  • Germany7.7%
  • United States7.1%
  • Japan4.7%
  • United Kingdom4.6%
  • Mozambique4.5%
  • India3.9%
  • Netherlands3.7%

Source: UN Comtrade, South Africa exports by destination, 2025⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025

2. What to look into next

Our reading

Promote:Global’s reading of the figures above, not a source’s statement, and not advice.

3. Trade agreements

What each arrangement can mean for a seller, and its limits. A preference is conditional: check the rules of origin before you quote.

  • AfCFTA

    South African goods can enter partner markets that apply AfCFTA preferences, which SARS has implemented since January 31, 2024.

    The dtic says South Africa trades preferentially only with countries that have started implementing their schedules; check the partner's schedule.

    Source: the dtic, AfCFTA page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  • SADC Protocol on Trade (SADC Free Trade Area)

    South African goods qualify for duty-free or reduced-duty entry in participating SADC states under SADC rules of origin.

    The dtic page says Angola is acceding and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Comoros have not acceded; check the partner's status.

    Source: the dtic, trade agreements page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  • Southern African Customs Union (SACU)

    Goods made in a member state move duty free to Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia, which share one external tariff with South Africa.

    National laws that restrict imports or exports still apply inside the union, says SARS.

    Source: SARS, SACU agreement page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  • COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Free Trade Area

    South African goods may claim Tripartite preferences in partner states that apply its tariff schedules, since it entered into force on July 25, 2024.

    Entry into force does not by itself show that a partner applies tariff preferences; check the partner's schedule before you quote.

    Source: SADC Secretariat, Tripartite FTA entry into force, July 2024⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

Show 7 more agreements

  • SADC-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement

    South African goods enter the European Union on preferential terms that the European Commission says improved access for wine, sugar, fish, flowers and canned fruit.

    Provisionally applied since October 2016, per the European Commission; rules of origin and proof of origin conditions apply.

    Source: European Commission, SADC trade relations page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  • SACUM-United Kingdom Economic Partnership Agreement

    Goods from South Africa have traded with the United Kingdom under this agreement since January 1, 2021.

    Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; confirm the origin conditions for your product.

    Source: SARS, SACUM-United Kingdom EPA page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  • EFTA-SACU Free Trade Agreement

    Industrial goods, including fish, and processed farm goods can enter Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland at reduced duties.

    Basic agricultural products are covered by separate bilateral agreements with each EFTA state, says the dtic.

    Source: SARS, EFTA-SACU agreement page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  • MERCOSUR-SACU Preferential Trade Agreement

    About 1,000 product lines on each side get tariff reductions in trade with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

    Coverage is limited to selected goods, so check that your product line is in the schedule.

    Source: SARS, MERCOSUR-SACU agreement page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  • AGOA

    AGOA, the United States' trade preference program for eligible African countries, lists South Africa among its 33 beneficiaries for 2026.

    USTR is reviewing eligibility for 2027; check the next designation list and how the 12.5 percent Section 301 duty applies to your product.

    Source: Federal Register, AGOA 2026 beneficiary list, 30 June 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of June 30, 2026

  • China's zero-tariff treatment for African countries

    South African goods that meet the rules of origin can enter China without customs duties from May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2028.

    Forty-seven tariff lines are under tariff rate quotas, and SARS calls the scheme temporary pending a reciprocal arrangement.

    Source: SARS, China zero-tariff scheme page, August 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of August 13, 2026

  • United Kingdom's Developing Countries Trading Scheme

    South Africa does not appear in the scheme's preference tiers, so the SACUM-United Kingdom agreement applies instead.

    The GOV.UK tier page was last changed on June 19, 2023; check the live list.

    Source: GOV.UK, DCTS preference tiers, June 2023⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of June 19, 2023

4. Steps to export

The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.

Exporting from South Africa

  1. Register as an exporter with SARS customs; a foreign exporter nominates a registered agent in South Africa.South African Revenue ServiceOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: SARS, exporter registration page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  2. Check whether your goods need an export permit, and apply to ITAC if they do.International Trade Administration CommissionFree of charge; up to 15 working daysOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: ITAC, export control frequently asked questions⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  3. Meet product rules: the NRCS sets compulsory specifications, and exports of frozen marine products to the European Union go through its Competent Authority.National Regulator for Compulsory SpecificationsOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: NRCS, imports and exports page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  4. For plants and plant products, apply for a phytosanitary certificate on eCert; perishable produce is inspected by the PPECB.Perishable Products Export Control BoardOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: PPECB, eCert page, effective 1 October 2025⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 1, 2025

Show 4 more export steps
  1. Lodge a goods declaration with SARS before the goods leave, through a designated port of exit.South African Revenue ServiceOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: SARS, goods declaration page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  2. Request the certificate of origin that your preference needs from SARS, for example for China's zero-tariff scheme or the SADC area.South African Revenue ServiceOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: SARS, China zero-tariff scheme page, August 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of August 13, 2026

  3. Claim customs refunds and drawbacks on the electronic form on eFiling where the duty rules allow.South African Revenue ServiceOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: SARS, customs refunds and drawbacks page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of September 15, 2023

  4. Ask the dtic about EMIA, which can cover exhibition costs for exporters.Department of Trade, Industry and CompetitionOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: the dtic, EMIA scheme page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

5. Organizations that help exporters

Start with the dtic and SARS. Each card links to the organization’s own site.

Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets

Export development and market information

Show 2 more organizations

Customs and tax

Show 1 more organization

Standards and sector requirements

Show 2 more organizations

Chambers and industry associations

6. Worth knowing

Show 2 more

7. How Promote:Global helps

  • Compare potential export marketsSee which markets import what you sell, ranked on public trade data, and read each country before you commit.
  • Check duties and document requirementsCheck the duty, the origin conditions for a preferential rate and the documents a shipment needs.
  • Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
  • Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.

Turn this guide into your South Africa project.

Use Promote:Global to explore markets, understand requirements and organize your next steps.

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Promote:South Africa is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.

Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of October 31, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.