Ireland and South Africa have similar business cultures, supported by a common language and similar legal and financial systems. Combined with South Africa’s strategic location, this makes the country an ideal gateway for Irish businesses looking to expand their overall trade to and within Sub-Saharan Africa.
Sources: DHL, Enterprise Ireland, GOV.UK, McKinsey Global Institute, The World Bank
For more detailed information when trading with South Africa, download our South Africa Fact Sheet.
Locations: 77
Gateways into the Country: 2
Number of Service Centres: 11
DHL Delivery Zone: 8
Vehicle Fleet: 198
| South Africa: Country Profile | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital: | Pretoria (administrative); Cape Town (legislative); Bloemfontein (judicial) | IMPORTS INTO SOUTH AFRICA | |
| Population: | 48.6 million | Imports into South Africa: |
US$105 billion (2012 est.) |
| Area: | 1,219,090 sq km | Import Commodities: |
Machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum products, scientific instruments and foodstuffs |
| Currency: | 1 rand (ZAR) = 100 cents | Top Import Origins: | Germany, UK, Belgium, USA, the Netherlands, China, Sweden and Hong Kong |
| GDP: | US$592 billion (2012 est.) | EXPORTS FROM SOUTH AFRICA | |
| Time Zones: | 1 time zone, UTC +2; no daylight savings time observed | Exports from South Africa: |
US$100.7 billion (2012 est.) |
| Languages: | 11 official languages; English is widely spoken | Export Commodities: | Gold, diamonds, platinum, other metals and minerals, machinery and equipment |
| Ethnic Groups: | Black African 79%, white 9.6%, coloured (mixed heritage) 8.9%, Indian or Asian 2.5% | Top Export Origins: | Canada, UK, Australia, USA, Angola, Namibia, Kenya, Germany and the Netherlands |
| Transit Times | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| The times provided for dutiable shipments are based on the time expected for customs in South Africa to clear the shipment. This is contingent upon the value of the shipment. | Destination | Non-Dutiable Shipment | Dutiable Shipment |
| Pretoria | 2 days | 2 days | |
| Johannesburg | 2 days | 2 days | |
| Cape Town | 2 days | 2 days | |
| Durban | 2 days | 3 days | |
| Port Elizabeth | 3 days | 3 days | |
The list below is in addition to DHL’s standard list of prohibited items.
Advertising brochures and pamphlets, hardback and paperback books for non-commercial use, business cards, calendars, general business documents, technical, architectural or engineering drawings, magazines, periodicals, journals and slides must weigh less than 10kg.
Computer software is limited to 6 CDs; there are no restrictions on music CDs.
Drugs: Non-prescription
Vitamins, diet, herbal and food supplements may be imported for private use only and are limited to two bottles. A Section 21 certificate must be completed and stamped by the Department of Port Health.
Drugs: Prescription
A Section 21 authorisation by the Medical Control Council is required prior to shipping. Class 4-8 medicines also require a MBR 20.
Textiles and textile articles
Textile samples are limited to 5 items. Items must be mutilated or have a prominent, permanent ink stamp. Full duties apply to clothing sent to Charitable Organisations.
Personal effects
An inventory of contents is required, but no commercial invoice. The owner must hold a South African passport with exit and re-entry stamps in it.
Photographs must weigh less than 10 kg; photographs sent from the USA must be sent as goods.
Price tickets for garments and architectural, industrial or engineering plans or drawings may only be sent if they are contained in bids and proposals.
Shoe samples must be mutilated and stamped.
Tobacco
The importer must be registered with South African Customs, hold a valid importers code (which must be clearly marked on the commercial invoice) and have a valid permit from the Department of Agriculture for that particular product.
A phytosanitary certificate is required for coffee and coffee samples, cotton seed, grain samples, plants and plant products, seeds, tobacco and tea.
Wooden Crates (except plywood, chipboard and compressed fibreboard) must have ISPM15 stamp and registration number to show fumigated.
For ship spares, used goods and x-ray machines, please contact DHL Customer Services before shipping.
