South Africa's active trade agreements
SADC Free Trade Area
Southern African Development Community
Most goods traded between SADC member states attract 0% duty. Covers Angola, Botswana, Comoros, DRC, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe. SACU countries (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Eswatini) form a customs union with SA — no duty at all between SACU members.
Required documentation: SADC Certificate of Origin (Form D)
EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)
European Union — covers SA, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Eswatini, Mozambique
Provides preferential (reduced or zero) duty rates on goods originating in EU member states (27 countries). Covers most industrial goods (including machinery, electronics, chemicals) and many agricultural products. Not all products qualify — sensitive SA industries (poultry, dairy) have longer tariff phase-downs.
Required documentation: EUR.1 Movement Certificate or Declaration of Origin (for exporters registered as REX — Registered Exporter)
EFTA Free Trade Agreement
European Free Trade Association — Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein
Preferential rates on goods from Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Covers industrial goods, processed agricultural products and fish. Switzerland is particularly relevant for pharmaceutical and watchmaking imports.
Required documentation: EUR.1 Movement Certificate or origin declaration
AGOA — African Growth and Opportunity Act
USA — benefits SA exporters TO the USA
AGOA does not reduce your SA import duty — it is a US programme that gives SA-originating goods duty-free access TO the USA. If you are exporting from SA to the USA, your goods may qualify for zero US duty under AGOA. Covers textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, agricultural products, and many manufactured goods.
Contact: dtic.gov.za for SA AGOA eligibility and required documentation
MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement
Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Venezuela
A fixed list of approximately 1,000 products from MERCOSUR countries qualify for reduced duty rates into SA (and vice versa). The list is product-specific — check the SARS tariff book or ITAC for the specific Schedule 10 provisions.
Required documentation: Certificate of Origin as specified in the agreement
AfCFTA — African Continental Free Trade Area
54 African Union member states
The world's largest free trade area by number of countries. SA is a signatory and trading has commenced, but tariff schedules for most sectors are still being negotiated and phased in. The target is to eliminate duty on 90%+ of traded goods between AU member states over 5–10 years. Current practical application is limited — check with your customs broker and ITAC (itac.org.za) for the latest position on your specific product.
Countries with no preferential agreement with SA
Goods from the following major trading partners are subject to the full MFN (Most Favoured Nation) duty rate from SARS Schedule 1:
Source: SARS, ITAC, dtic.gov.za. Trade agreements subject to change — verify current status before making commercial decisions.