# Eswatini (SZ)

**Capital:** Mbabane, (Lobamba, royal)  
**Currency:** Swazi lilangeni (SZL) (SZL)  
**Population:** 1,256,000 — Older stored figure; source year not documented.  
**Area:** 17,364 km²

> Eswatini is a landlocked country in Southern Africa and a member of the SACU customs union, making trade with South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Namibia duty-free. Imports and exports move through the ports of Durban and Richards Bay in South Africa and Maputo and Matola in Mozambique. The Matsapha Dry Port acts as the central inland container depot. Road and rail are the main modes, complemented by air freight via King Mswati III International Airport. Import VAT is 15.5 percent (since 1 May 2025).

Eswatini (ISO code SZ) is a landlocked kingdom in Southern Africa bordering South Africa and Mozambique. It is a constitutional monarchy with a traditional governance structure. The climate is subtropical with hot summers, mild winters and a distinct rainy and dry season. The economy rests on agriculture, industry and services, with sugar production, textiles and forestry as key sectors. Exports cover agricultural and industrial goods, while the country depends on imports of energy, machinery and consumer goods. As a member of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and the Common Monetary Area, its currency, the Lilangeni (SZL), is pegged at par to the South African Rand. Trade relies on the neighbouring seaports of Durban, Richards Bay, Maputo and Matola, linked by Eswatini Railways and a regional road network, with the Matsapha inland container depot as the central hub.

**Top Import Partners:** ZA, CN, US, JP, DE

**Top Export Partners:** ZA, KE, EU, US, JP

**Top Import Goods:** Petroleum products, Machinery, Vehicles, Chemicals, Consumer goods

**Top Export Goods:** Sugar, Concentrates, Timber, Textiles, Coal

**Key Airports:**
- [King Mswati III International Airport (SHO)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/king-mswati-iii-international-airport-sho)
- [Matsapha Airport (MTS)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/matsapha-airport-mts)
- [Kubuta Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/kubuta-airport-fdkb)
- [Lavumisa Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/lavumisa-airport-18352)
- [Mhlume Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/mhlume-airport-fdmh)
- [Nhlangano Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/nhlangano-airport-fdnh)
- [Nsoko Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/nsoko-airport-fdns)
- [Piggs Peak Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/piggs-peak-airport-fdng)
- [Simunye Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/simunye-airport-fdsm)
- [Siteki Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/siteki-airport-fdst)

## Customs & Import

**Import VAT:** 15,5 percent standard rate since 1. May 2025  
**Customs complexity:** medium  
**Customs system:** SACU Common External Tariff; duty-free within SACU. External duties mostly 0 to 30 percent, clothing higher. Administered by the ERS.  
**Customs authority:** [Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS), Customs and Excise](https://www.ers.org.sz)

## Logistics & Risk

**Logistics role:** Landlocked country, SACU member; transit via South African and Mozambican ports  
**Economic area:** SACU / SADC / CMA  
**Logistics risk:** medium  
**Dangerous goods relevance:** low to medium  
**Pharma/cold chain:** low to medium

## FAQ

### Does Eswatini have its own seaport?

No. Eswatini is a landlocked country and handles sea freight through the ports of Durban and Richards Bay in South Africa, and Maputo and Matola in Mozambique. The Matsapha Dry Port serves as the inland container depot.

### Which import VAT applies in Eswatini?

The standard VAT rate has been 15,5 percent since 1. May 2025 and is also charged on imports. The Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) is responsible.

### Are customs duties charged on trade with South Africa?

No. Eswatini, together with South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Namibia, belongs to the SACU customs union. Trade within SACU is duty-free, and a common external tariff applies to outside countries.

### Which proofs of preference are needed for exports to the EU?

Exports to the EU are covered by the SADC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement. A EUR.1 movement certificate, certified by the ERS, is generally required.

### Which modes of transport are important for Eswatini?

Road and rail carry the bulk of freight traffic. Eswatini Railways connects the country with ports in South Africa and Mozambique. Air freight runs through King Mswati III Airport (SHO).

### What are the external tariffs of the SACU?

The rates of the common external tariff are mostly between 0 and 30 percent. For certain product groups, such as clothing, they can be higher.

### Are there sanctions against Eswatini?

No. There are no comprehensive international sanctions against Eswatini (as of 2026). Dual-use export controls follow the law of the respective partner countries.

### Which currency is used in Eswatini?

The national currency is the lilangeni (SZL), which is pegged one to one to the South African rand within the Common Monetary Area.

## Sources & Last Verified

- [https://www.ers.org.sz](https://www.ers.org.sz)
- [https://www.ers.org.sz/VAT/Eswatini](https://www.ers.org.sz/VAT/Eswatini)
- [https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/eswatini/corporate/other-taxes](https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/eswatini/corporate/other-taxes)
- [https://www.ers.org.sz/CustomExcise/FreeTrade](https://www.ers.org.sz/CustomExcise/FreeTrade)
- [https://www.sacu.int](https://www.sacu.int)
- [https://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/content/epa-sadc-southern-african-development-community](https://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/content/epa-sadc-southern-african-development-community)
- [https://lca.logcluster.org/221-eswatini-king-mswati-iii-international-airport](https://lca.logcluster.org/221-eswatini-king-mswati-iii-international-airport)
- [https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/swaziland-population/](https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/swaziland-population/)

*Last verified: 2026-06-22*

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