# South Africa (ZA) **Capital:** Pretoria **Currency:** South African rand (ZAR) (ZAR) **Population:** 63,015,904 — Older stored figure; source year not documented. **Area:** 1,219,090 km² > South Africa is the leading logistics hub of southern Africa. The ports of Durban, Richards Bay, Cape Town and Ngqura plus OR Tambo air cargo (Johannesburg) handle most foreign trade; Transnet runs ports and rail. Import VAT is 15 percent, customs authority SARS uses the SAD 500 declaration. The SACU customs union, the EU-SADC EPA and EFTA-SACU provide preferences. Power shortages and port congestion remain risks. South Africa (ZA) lies at the southern tip of Africa and is the region's logistics hub and a leading mining exporter. It belongs to the SACU customs union (with Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Eswatini); the EU-SADC EPA and the EFTA-SACU agreement provide tariff preferences (EUR.1/origin declaration), complemented by SADC and AfCFTA. Customs clearance runs through SARS using the SAD 500 single administrative document; import VAT is 15 percent (on customs value plus a 10 percent uplift plus duty). The main gateways are Durban, southern Africa's largest container port, Richards Bay, Cape Town, Ngqura and Saldanha Bay, plus the OR Tambo Johannesburg (JNB) air cargo hub with the City Deep inland terminal. Key corridors are the N3 Johannesburg–Durban, the N1 Cape Town–Johannesburg–Beitbridge, the N4 Maputo corridor and the Transnet rail lines (coal line to Richards Bay, Sishen–Saldanha ore line). Typical cargo includes minerals and ores, platinum and gold, vehicles and parts, fruit and wine; leading partners are China, the USA, Germany, India and the UAE. **Top Import Partners:** CN, US, DE, IN, AE **Top Export Partners:** CN, US, DE, IN, AE **Top Import Goods:** Machinery, Chemicals, Petroleum products, Manufactured goods, Consumer goods **Top Export Goods:** Raw materials, Minerals **Key Airports:** - [Cape Town International Airport (CPT)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/cape-town-international-airport-cpt) - [King Shaka International Airport (DUR)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/king-shaka-international-airport-dur) - [O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/or-tambo-international-airport-jnb) - [Aggeneys Airport (AGZ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/aggeneys-airport-agz) - [Alexander Bay Airport (ALJ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/alexander-bay-airport-alj) - [Barberton Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/barberton-airport-34690) - [Bisho Airport (BIY)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/bisho-airport-biy) - [Bram Fischer International Airport (BFN)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/bram-fischer-international-airport-bfn) - [Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/chief-dawid-stuurman-international-airport-plz) - [Ermelo Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/ermelo-airport-faeo) **Key Seaports:** - [Cape Town (ZA CPT)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/cape-town-port-za-cpt) - [Durban (ZA DUR)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/durban-port-za-dur) - [Mossel Bay (ZA MZY)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/mossel-bay-port-za-mzy) - [Port Elizabeth (ZA PLZ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/port-elizabeth-port-za-plz) - [Richards Bay (ZA RCB)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/richards-bay-port-za-rcb) - [Saldanha Bay (ZA SDB)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/saldanha-bay-port-za-sdb) - [East London (ZA ELS)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/east-london-port-za-els) - [Simonstown (ZA SMN)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/simonstown-port-za-smn) ## Customs & Import **Import VAT:** 15 percent standard rate (on customs value plus 10 percent surcharge plus customs duty). The planned increase to 15,5 or 16 percent for 2025/2026 was withdrawn in May 2025. **Customs complexity:** medium to high **Customs system:** Customs declaration via SARS Customs using the Single Administrative Document SAD 500; electronic submission by customs agents, self-assessment with invoice, transport documents and HS code. **Customs authority:** [South African Revenue Service (SARS) - Customs and Excise](https://www.sars.gov.za) ## Logistics & Risk **Logistics role:** Logistics hub of southern Africa / mining exporter **Economic area:** SACU / SADC / AfCFTA **Logistics risk:** medium **Dangerous goods relevance:** high **Pharma/cold chain:** high ## FAQ ### What is the import VAT rate in South Africa? The standard VAT rate is 15 percent and is charged on the customs value plus a 10 percent surcharge plus customs duty. The increase planned for 2025/2026 was withdrawn in May 2025. ### Which customs authority is responsible and how is declaration made? The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is responsible. Imports and exports are declared electronically via a customs agent using the Single Administrative Document SAD 500. ### Does Switzerland benefit from a free trade agreement with South Africa? Yes. Under the EFTA-SACU agreement, Swiss goods of origin receive preferences. Proof is provided by the EUR.1 movement certificate or an origin declaration. ### Which ports are most important for imports into South Africa? Durban is the largest container port in southern Africa, followed by Cape Town and Ngqura. Richards Bay and Saldanha Bay mainly serve bulk and ore exports. ### What delays should I expect at the ports? Due to infrastructure problems at Transnet, waiting times occur; in Durban sometimes several days, in Cape Town longer in winter due to weather. A PPP is intended to modernise the Durban container terminal. ### Which goods are subject to import control or permit requirements? ITAC controls, among others, used goods, waste and scrap, ozone-depleting substances and weapons. Dual-use goods follow the national control list; defence goods follow the NCACC. ### What role do AGOA and US tariffs currently play? AGOA was extended from February 2026 to the end of 2026. At the same time, the US imposes tariffs on South African goods (many around 10 percent, cars and steel higher), which complicates planning. ## Sources & Last Verified - [https://www.sars.gov.za](https://www.sars.gov.za) - [https://www.sars.gov.za/types-of-tax/value-added-tax/](https://www.sars.gov.za/types-of-tax/value-added-tax/) - [https://www.sars.gov.za/customs-and-excise/goods-declaration/](https://www.sars.gov.za/customs-and-excise/goods-declaration/) - [https://www.sars.gov.za/customs-and-excise/import-export-and-transit/imports/](https://www.sars.gov.za/customs-and-excise/import-export-and-transit/imports/) - [https://www.itac.org.za/export-control/](https://www.itac.org.za/export-control/) - [https://itac.org.za/import-control/](https://itac.org.za/import-control/) - [https://www.statssa.gov.za/?p=17430](https://www.statssa.gov.za/?p=17430) - [https://www.efta.int/free-trade/free-trade-agreements/sacu](https://www.efta.int/free-trade/free-trade-agreements/sacu) *Last verified: 2026-07-22* --- *Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/za](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/za)* *Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/za](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/za)*