Foreign Entities and Individuals
Expand your international trade to Africa, start a business in South Africa or move personal items of value.
Foreign entities or individuals who want to import into or export from South Africa have the following three options:
1. Use an importer or exporter of record:
Use a locally registered importer or exporter of record to manage the transaction on your behalf.
All regulatory requirements are managed by the local entity, the foreign entity does not have any regulatory requirements.
2. Register as an importer and exporter:
This requires a South African customs registered agent to represent the foreign entity or individual at customs.
The foreign entity is responsible for the compliance of each transaction, and the agent carries the risk for non-compliance.
3. Open a South African Company:
The company can be registered for import and export and is responsible for its own compliance.
More information on South African company statuary requirements as well as opening a subsidiary company versus a branch can be found here.
A summary of the pros, cons, and regulatory requirements of each option can be found here.
Importer and exporter of record service
Price: percentage of transaction value, assessed individually per consignment
What is it?
A local customs registered entity that imports or export on behalf of a non-registered entity.
Why do I need it?
The importer or exporter of record is responsible for all compliance. This includes paying all due customs duties, other associated taxes and VAT. This service is suited to once-off or ad-hoc consignments.
Import export license for foreign entities and individuals
Price: R3,760 Delivery: 1-5 working days*
What is it?
A unique import and export code (number) issued by customs to a foreign entity or individual. Includes linking the foreign individual or entity to their local customs registered agent.
Why do I need it?
Registration of a foreign entity at customs is required when the foreign entity intends to be the importer into or exporter out of South Africa. All foreign entities are legally required to appoint an agent that is located in South Africa to represent the foreign entity at customs. The registered agent is liable for the fulfillment of all outstanding SARS obligations imposed on the foreigner. This option is best suited to entities who want to register as an importer or exporter in South Africa without having to register at SARS for income tax or set up a physical office in South Africa.
Registration as a customs registered agent for foreign entities or individuals
Price: R2,500 for registered agent registration only
R4,380 for registered agent and import export registrations
Delivery: 1-5 working days*
What is it?
A South African entity that wants to represent a foreign entity at customs must first be registered at customs as a registered agent and either an importer and exporter or a road hauler.
Why do I need it?
If a foreign person or entity wishes to acquire a South African import export license, they are required to nominate a South African customs registered agent to be their local representative at customs. The South African person or entity must first be registered as an agent with customs before they can be nominated by the foreign entity. The agent is liable for all unfulfilled monetary customs obligations imposed on the foreign entity as part of their import and export activities.
Registered agent service for foreign entities and individuals
Price: per consignment or monthly retainer based on size and number of consignments
What is it?
All foreign entities and individuals who want to register at SARS as an importer or exporter needs to have a customs registered agent to represent them at customs. We can be this agent for you.
Why do I need it?
Customs will hold the registered agent liable for all unpaid financial obligations to SARS for up to 5 years should they not be able to recover the amount from the foreign entity. In addition to being the registered agent and carrying the associated financial risk the fee includes: issuing clearing instructions, review of tariff classifications, attending to inquiries made by SARS, post clearance review of the consignment, management of the customs’ documentation, monthly trade VAT input schedule and claims review.
South African subsidiary company
Price: R2,030
What is it?
A local South African company with shares that are wholly or predominantly owned by a foreign entity.
Included with the company registration is:
- a set of shareholder certificates
- a BEE certificate
- company income tax registration
- SARS e-filing and representative set up
- a South African bank account, and
- a Forex Trading (or international currency) Account.
Why do I need it?
A subsidiary company is a convenient vehicle for foreign entities wanting to do business and trade with South Africa. A table with the basic statuary requirements of a subsidiary company can be found here.
South African branch
Price: R2,230
What is it?
A foreign company that would like to open a branch of itself in South Africa. The branch is not a new legal entity but rather a part of the foreign company that is situated in South Africa. Included with the branch registration is income tax registration, SARS e-filing and representative set up, a South African bank account and a Forex Trading (or international currency) Account.
Why do I need it?
A foreign entity must register with the South African Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) within 20 working days after it has begun to conduct business in South Africa. A branch is a convenient local vehicle in which to conduct local business transactions including international trade with South Africa. A table with the basic statuary requirements of a subsidiary company can be found here.
Company annual maintenance package
Price: R3,500
What is it?
The package includes:
- South African representation for the company on the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) for one year
- South African representation at SARS for one year
- 2 provisional tax return submissions*
- 1 income tax return submission*
- 1 annual CIPC return submission*
*Company trial balance to be provided for submission. Additional accounting services are available and quoted separately.
Why do I need it?
Meets all the essential regulatory requirements legally imposed on companies by CIPC and the South African Revenue Services (SARS).
Company virtual office and contact number
Price: R7,500 per annum or R750 per month
What is it?
An office address and professional call answering service for all your business communication.
- Calls will be answered in the Company’s name and messages will be emailed to a specified email address.
- All consultants answering calls can assist with Customs, SARS and CIPC requirements and matters arising from international trade.
- Should you require additional assistance with SARS, CIPC, Customs or matters relating to international trade, we can be of service.
- Booking of a boardroom and receiving of post or courier items can be arranged as needed and is quoted separately.
- Postal forwarding service is available for R150 monthly or R1500 annually. Letters are scanned and emailed. Packages can be forwarded after forwarding fee is approved.
Why do I need it?
The Companies Act requires foreign subsidiary companies and foreign branches to maintain at least one office in South Africa. A proof of address in the Company’s name is required by SARS, by Customs and by South African banks.
Prices include courier fees for the collection of original documents.
*TIME FRAMES ARE BASED ON STANDARD PROCESSING TIMES BY REGISTRATION AUTHORITY AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Contact us for our reduced rates for multiple service bundles.
Success in international trade is only a phone call away. Speak to our friendly, knowledgeable and professional trade consultants for assistance with customs registration, permits, trade agreements and more. You can reach us on 0861 0 TRADE (87233) or WhatsApp: 076 816 2185. Alternatively, pop us an email via our contacts page and we’ll get in touch soon.
In the meantime, use our helpful import/export tools and calculators to determine anything from your tariff code, VAT and duty payable on imported goods, or the landed costs of your imports.
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