Countries · ZA

South Africa: sanctions and trade risk

No elevated indicator

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 27 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to South Africa.Lists last checked .

Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓

No elevated country indicator for South Africa in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in South Africa may still be on a list.

Check a shipment to South Africa →

On the sanctions lists

27 entries on the official lists name South Africa — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.

ListEntries
US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)27

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming South Africa recorded yet.

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Logistics profile

South Africa: logistics and trade

Logistics hub of southern Africa / mining exporter

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.

Capital
Pretoria
Population
63,015,904
Area
1,219,090 km²
Currency
South African rand (ZAR)
Continent
Africa
Region
Southern Africa
Economic area
SACU / SADC / AfCFTA
Religions
Christianity, Islam, Hinduism
Access to the sea
Yes

Transport modes Sea · Road · Rail · Air

Current situation
AGOA extended from February 2026 to end of 2026; in parallel US tariffs on South African goods (many around 10 percent, cars 25, steel/aluminium 50 percent). Durban: ship waiting times about 2 days, landside congestion in citrus peak season, occasional access disruptions due to protests; Transnet turnaround team extended until early 2027, Durban container terminal is being modernised via PPP. (Status 2026-07-22)
Seasonal conditions
Southern Hemisphere: winter storms and strong winds at the Cape (May to August) delay Cape Town; summer heavy rain inland. For fruit exports, consider harvest and cold chain season.

Main seaports

  • Durban

    Durban (ZA DUR): sub-Saharan Africa's busiest container port. Pier 2 run by ICTSI since 2026, RoRo, liquid bulk, rail to Gauteng. SARS customs; Ngqura alternative.

  • Richards Bay

    Richards Bay (ZA RCB): Africa's largest coal export port, RBCT 57.66 Mt 2025 (+10%), >30 Mt by June 2026, target ~62 Mt. Containers via Durban.

  • Cape Town

    Cape Town (ZA CPT): South Africa's reefer gateway for fruit exports plus container, breakbulk and ship repair. Alternatives: Ngqura, Durban, Saldanha Bay.

  • Port Elizabeth

    Port Elizabeth (ZA PLZ), multipurpose port in Eastern Cape: containers, cars, fruit, manganese (Transnet). Big ships and transhipment via Ngqura.

  • Saldanha Bay

    Saldanha Bay (ZA SDB), South Africa's largest deep-water port, handles ~96% of iron ore exports: Sishen ore terminal, VLCC crude terminal and breakbulk.

  • East London

    East London (ZA ELS): South Africa's only river port on the Buffalo River, with a Mercedes-Benz car terminal plus container and grain handling.

Main cargo airports

  • O.R. Tambo International AirportJNB

    O.R. Tambo (JNB), Johannesburg: sub-Saharan Africa's busiest cargo airport, ~650,000 t a year, freighter and belly cargo, 24/7 SARS customs clearance.

  • Cape Town International AirportCPT

    Cape Town International (CPT): hub for Western Cape exports—berries, wine, seafood. 89,000 t cargo (Jan–Nov 2025, +35%), cool chains, Cargolux, SARS customs.

  • King Shaka International AirportDUR

    King Shaka (DUR), Durban: automated Dube Cargo Terminal, Dube TradePort SEZ, up to 2M t/yr, near Port of Durban, sea-air links, SARS customs.

Road corridors

  • N3 Johannesburg - Durban
  • N1 Cape Town - Johannesburg - Beitbridge
  • N4 Maputo Corridor
  • Trans-Kalahari Corridor

Rail corridors

  • Coal line Mpumalanga - Richards Bay
  • Iron ore line Sishen - Saldanha
  • Natal Corridor Johannesburg - Durban
  • Cape Corridor

Inland ports

  • City Deep / Johannesburg (dry port)

Main trade lanes

  • China - South Africa
  • EU - South Africa
  • USA - South Africa
  • India - South Africa

Customs and import

Customs authority South African Revenue Service (SARS) - Customs and ExciseOfficial website ↗

Import 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.
Export customs system
Exports are also declared via SAD 500 with SARS; electronic clearance; for preferential goods, proof of origin EUR.1 or origin declaration.
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.
Proofs of origin and trade agreements
EUR.1 or origin declaration for EU-SADC EPA and EFTA-SACU (relevant for Switzerland); SADC certificate of origin; AfCFTA proof. SACU is a customs union with BW, LS, NA, SZ.
Restricted and prohibited goods
Permit required for, among others, used goods, waste and scrap (Basel Convention), ozone-depleting substances (Montreal Protocol), weapons, as well as certain agricultural and food imports (ITAC permit).

Typical import documents

  • Commercial invoice
  • Packing list
  • Bill of Lading / Air Waybill
  • SAD 500 (Bill of Entry)
  • Proof of origin EUR.1 (for preference)
  • ITAC import permit (if required)

Typical export documents

  • Commercial invoice
  • Packing list
  • SAD 500 (export)
  • Bill of Lading / Air Waybill
  • Proof of origin EUR.1 / Declaration of origin
  • ITAC export permit (if required)

Logistics conditions

Customs complexity
Medium to high
Customs delays
Medium to high
Port congestion
High
Dangerous goods relevance
High
Pharma and cold chain relevance
High
E-commerce relevance
Medium to high

Trade

Top import goods

  • Machinery
  • Chemicals
  • Petroleum products
  • Manufactured goods
  • Consumer goods

Top export goods

  • Raw materials
  • Minerals

Typical cargo

  • Minerals and ores
  • Precious metals (platinum, gold)
  • Vehicles and parts
  • Machinery
  • Fruit and wine
  • Chemicals

Upcoming public holidays

  • Day of ReconciliationWed, 16 Dec 2026 · businesses closed
  • Christmas DayFri, 25 Dec 2026 · businesses closed
  • Day of GoodwillSat, 26 Dec 2026 · businesses closed
  • New Year's DayFri, 1 Jan 2027 · businesses closed
  • Human Rights DaySun, 21 Mar 2027 · businesses closed
  • Good FridayFri, 26 Mar 2027 · businesses closed
  • Family Day (Easter Monday)Mon, 29 Mar 2027 · businesses closed
  • Freedom DayTue, 27 Apr 2027 · businesses closed

Latest logistics news

Logistics questions

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.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗

Freight Academy

Powered by Freight Academy, verified 22 Jul 2026. Logistics information, not a sanctions source.

Indicator: the route rules of the Sanctioni check, curated from the published sanctions programmes of the UN, EU, UK, Switzerland and the US. Entries: the live version of each list (data sources), updated every 6 hours.

A preliminary screening aid — not legal advice and not a compliance clearance. The official publication of the competent authority prevails.

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