Import Export Services
Set yourself or your business up for success in international trade
with our comprehensive range of import export services and registrations.
Import and Export License
Price: R1,680 Delivery: 5-10 working days*
What is it?
A unique import and export code (number) issued by Customs.
Why do I need it?
You cannot import or export goods over the value of R50 000 or more than three times a year, or make and receive payments through the bank for international import and export transactions without an import/export code.
Amend existing license to add import or export, update address or contact number
Price: R1,200 Delivery: 5-10 working days*
What is it?
If you only have an import license OR an export license, amend your existing license registration to include both importing AND exporting.
Why do I need it?
In order to be able to import AND export goods over the value of R50 000 or more than three times a year, or make and receive payments through the bank for international import AND export transactions.
Import and Export License for foreign individual or local company with ONLY foreign directors
Price: R2,650 Delivery: 5-10 working days*
What is it?
Registration of a non-South African individual or entity for a import and export code (number) issued by South African Customs.
Why do I need it?
You need it to import or export goods over the value of R50 000 or more than three times a year, or make and receive payments through the bank for international import and export transactions.
Import export license for foreign entities
Price: R3,360 Delivery: 5-10 working days*
What is it?
A unique import and export code (number) issued by customs to a foreign entity and registration of a South African representative.
Why do I need it?
Registration of a foreign entity at customs is required for importing and exporting into and out of South Africa. All foreign entities are legally required to appoint an agent that is located in South Africa to represent the foreign company at customs as and when required. The registered agent is liable for the fulfillment of all obligations imposed on the foreign importer, exporter or licensed remover of goods in bond.
Amend existing export license to add SADC, SADC-EPA, SACU/EFTA, SACU/MERCOSUR, GSP, AGOA or approved exporter (APE)
Price: R1,400 Delivery: 5-10 working days*
What is it?
Registration to export goods under the SADC (Southern African), SADC-EPA, SACU/EFTA (European), SACU/MERCOSUR (South American), GSP (General System of Preferences) or AGOA (North American) trade agreements. Registration as an approved exporter under the SADC, SADC-EPA or SACU/EFTA trade agreements. More information on trade agreements is available here.
Why do I need it?
To benefit from the tariff reductions and/or removals under these agreements. This means that buyers pay little or no import duty tax, giving the exporter a competitive advantage against countries that do not form part of the trade agreement. Speak to our knowledgeable trade consultants regarding advice about which trade agreement you can benefit from as part of our comprehensive import export services.
Import export license and approved exporter (APE) for SADC, SADC-EPA or SACU/EFTA
Price: R2,200 Delivery: 5-10 working days*
What is it?
Registration at customs as an importer and an approved exporter under the SADC (Southern African) and SADC-EPA, SACU/EFTA (European) trade agreements. More information on trade agreements is available here.
Why do I need it?
An import export license is required to clear cargo at customs and international money transfers for the cargo at the bank. An approved exporter may benefit from tariff reductions and/or removals under these agreements. This means that buyers pay little or no import duty tax, giving the exporter a competitive advantage against countries that do not form part of the trade agreement.
10 SADC, EUR.1 or MERCOSUR blank certificates
Price: R750 Delivery: 3 working days*
What is it?
Blank SADC/EUR.1/MERCOSUR certificates to fill out when exporting South African-manufactured goods to SADC (Southern African), SADC-EPA, SACU/EFTA (European), SACU/MERCOSUR (South American) member countries. More information on the these certificates is available here.
Why do I need it?
Exporters to member countries need to fill out a new blank certificate to send with each export in order for the buyer to benefit from import duty savings under these trade agreements.
20 SADC or EUR.1 blank certificates
Price: R1,100 Delivery: 3 working days*
What is it?
Blank SADC or EUR.1 certificates to fill out when exporting South African-manufactured goods to SADC (Southern African), SADC-EPA or SACU/EFTA (European) member countries. More information on the these certificates is available here.
Why do I need it?
Exporters to member countries need to fill out a new blank certificate to send with each export in order for the buyer to benefit from import duty savings under these trade agreements.
Producers for International Trade Agreements
Price: R1,950 Delivery: 5-10 working days*
What is it?
Any producer of goods of South African origin that wants to export under any of the international trade agreements needs to register as a producer and an exporter. The products need to meet the rules of origin of each trade agreement. More information on trade agreements is available here.
Why do I need it?
Exporting under an international trade agreement allows the exporter to benefit from tariff reductions and/or removals from these agreements. This means that buyers pay little or no import duty tax, giving the exporter a competitive advantage against countries that do not form part of the trade agreement.
Remover of goods in bond, transporter and renewals
Price: R3,500 Delivery: 60 working days* (10 days for renewals)
What is it?
Both remover of goods in bond and transporter registrations authorises the registered individual or entity to transit goods between customs controlled areas (bonds). A remover of goods user is required to submit a security for the total VAT and duty of the goods, while a transporter makes use of another entity’s security.
Why do I need it?
These registrations can be used to:
- Transport imported goods from a border post to an internal customs controlled storage area or rebate store.
- Tranship goods through South Africa (for example goods land in Durban harbour and are exported to Zimbabwe).
- Transport goods from a bonded warehouse to a border post (for example from an Excise store to an airport or seaport).
EDI Registration
Price: R3,500 Delivery: 7 working days* and display of signatory’s ID at a local customs’ branch
What is it?
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is the electronic transfer of data and required reporting from customs users (such as clearing agents or carriers) to customs.
Why do I need it?
In order to improve efficiency and minimise errors, SARS is legally mandated to enforce electronic communication. It has numerous benefits for the user such as:
- full automation with little or no intervention required by either party;
- a 24 hour window for submission and acceptance of declarations;
- quicker retrieval of cargo due to a reduction in clearance times.
Carrier Registration
Price: R3,500 Delivery: 7 working days*
What is it?
All entities carrying bonded goods across a border are required to register as a carrier in order to submit manifests and required reports to customs.
Why do I need it?
Registration is necessary to submit manifests or other reports required by customs when carrying bonded goods across a border.
ITAC rebate/drawback permits
Price: R3,500 Delivery: 25 working days*
What is it?
A rebate provision for goods that are imported solely for manufacturing, finishing and re-export.
Why do I need it?
If your imports fall within certain categories, you can qualify for rebates on those goods. This will help reduce the final cost of producing exported goods that make use of imported products. Speak to our knowledgeable trade consultants regarding ITAC rebates you can benefit from as part of our comprehensive import export services.
Storage warehouse license
Price: R4,500 Delivery: 30-60 working days*
What is it?
A license that allows a facility to function as a bonded storage warehouse to store goods imported for home consumption, export and rebate purposes. The bonded warehouse is subject to Customs control.
Why do I need it?
Storage warehouses for imported goods not yet cleared through customs need to obtain a storage warehouse license. When goods are in bonded storage, duties and VAT do not have to be paid on these goods. A warehouse storage license allows the licensee to store imported goods, duty- and VAT-free, for a period of up to two years.
Clearing agent registrations and renewals
Price: R3,500 Delivery: 60 working days* (10 days for renewals)
What is it?
Registration to act in the capacity of a clearing agent, i.e. to submit declarations to Customs on behalf of other importers and exporters.
Why do I need it?
All individuals or entities that submit declarations to Customs on behalf of other importers or exporters have to be licensed to do so. If you are not licensed as a clearing agent, you cannot clear and take delivery of goods at Customs on someone else’s behalf.
Permits for regulated goods
Price: Starting from R1,200 Delivery: Starting from 6 working days*
What is it?
A goods-specific permit to allow imports and exports of certain regulated goods. These permits are required in addition to an import export code when importing or exporting regulated goods.
Why do I need it?
Certain goods (for example agricultural products, second hand/used goods, pharmaceuticals, and waste or scrap) are regulated in order to ensure quality and safety, to prevent illegal activities from taking place, and to protect the local economy. Ask us more about the permit registrations that fall under our import export services to see which apply to your product offering.
Tariff code determination
Price: Tariff opinion R180, Professional determination (standard) R2 500 Delivery: 1 – 2 working days*
What is it?
Assistance from our experienced consultants to determine the tariff classification code of your imported and exported goods. For a tariff opinion our staff will, based on their experience, assess and look up your tariff code. This is an opinion and the liability remains on the importer/exporter to use the correct code. A professional tariff code determination will be able to be defended should a Customs dispute occur.
Why do I need it?
The tariff heading determines the Customs duties payable on goods, and failure to indicate the correct tariff code could result on under- or over-payment of Customs duties and VAT. Importers and exporters must exercise due diligence to ensure that they select the correct tariff code, especially in the case of complex classifications (e.g. where two tariff headings seem to apply to the goods in question, or where there isn’t a clearly identifiable appropriate tariff heading). As part of our end-to-end import export services our consultants can assist you in determining the correct code, and help avoid potentially costly mistakes.
Cross border permits
Price: Permit-dependent. Delivery: 2-14 working days*
What is it?
A permit that allows the cross-border road transportation of goods for business purposes.
Why do I need it?
In accordance with the Cross-Border Road Transport Act 4 of 1998, cross-border road transport needs to be regulated when undertaken for business purposes. These permits allow cross-border operators to conduct cross-border road transport business in South Africa and neighbouring countries.
Consultation on your personal situation
Price: FREE Delivery: Situation-dependent
What is it?
Telephonic, in-person or email-based consultation on your personal import and export, business registration, freight or foreign exchange situation.
Why do I need it?
Your customs code is the key to international trade. If you are uncertain about the next steps to take to make your import or export venture a success, our consultants can help guide you in the right direction.
Online resources and information guides
Price: FREE Delivery: N/A
What is it? Import- and export-related information guides and helpful tools and resources. Learn more about topical issues, rules and regulations, and frequently-asked questions related to the industry as well as how to benefit most from our import export services.
Why do I need it? Knowledge is power. If you are embarking on an importing or exporting venture for the first time, or simply need to brush up your knowledge, our resources provide to-the-point information that covers the most important import- and export-related topics.
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.