DHL SOUTH AFRICA FACT SHEET
Zimbabwe
Mozambique
OVERVIEW
South Africa, the largest and most advanced
economyin Africa combines a well-developed
infrastructure with vibrant emerging markets
and considerable consumer spending power.
Botwsana
Pretoria
Johannesburg
SOUTH AFRICA
Namibia
Since the end of Apartheid in 1994, South Africa has
been politically stable and focused on market-oriented
economic policies, including free trade agreements with
the European Union.
Bloemfontein
Durban
South Africa was officially accepted into the BRIC club in
2010, but is generally grouped in with the CIVETS emerging
markets. According to the World Bank, South Africa is the
easiest of all these countries with which to do business.
Cape Town
Though South Africa was not immune to the effects of the
global recession, structural reforms have since increased
the economy’s diversification to boost future resilience. As
a result, South Africa is not solely maximising its tourism
industry and natural resources – it is the world’s largest
producer of key metals including platinum and manganese –
but also expanding its financial and business services sectors.
Port Elizabeth
KEY
Capital City
Major City
DHL Gateway
DHL FACTS
South African consumers have a very positive view of ‘Brand
Britain’, thus offering considerable opportunities for British
businesses to market their products. The UK is in South
Africa’s ‘Premier League’ of trading partners, with over £9.6
billion in bilateral trade – a figure which the two countries’
governments have determined to double by 2015.
Locations: 77
Gateways into the Country:2
Number of Service Centres:11
DHL Delivery Zone:9
The UK and South Africa have similar business cultures,
supported by strong historic connections, a common language
and similar legal and financial systems. This, combined
with South Africa’s strategic geographic location, makes the
country an ideal gateway for British businesses looking to
expand their trade in Africa overall.
Country Profile
Sources: GOV.UK, DHL, UKTI, The World Bank, McKinsey Global Institute
Capital
Pretoria (administrative); Cape Town
(legislative); Bloemfontein (judicial)
Population
48.6 million
Area
1,219,090 sq km
Currency
1 rand (ZAR) = 100 cents
GDP
US$592 billion (2012 est.)
Languages
11 official languages; English is widely
spoken
Ethnic Groups
Black African 79%, white 9.6%,
coloured (mixed heritage) 8.9%,
Indian or Asian 2.5%
Vehicle Fleet:198
Source: CIA World Factbook
DHL South Africa Fact Sheet
TRADE INFORMATION
ESSENTIAL CUSTOMS INFORMATION
Exports from South Africa
Imports into South Africa
US$100.7 billion (2012 est.)
US$105 billion (2012 est.)
Export commodities:
Gold, diamonds, platinum,
other metals and minerals,
machinery and equipment.
Import commodities:
Machinery and equipment,
chemicals, petroleum products,
scientific instruments, foodstuffs.
Top Export Destinations:
Canada, UK, Australia, USA,
Angola, Namibia, Kenya,
Germany, Netherlands.
Top Import Origins:
Germany, UK, Belgium, USA,
Netherlands, China, Sweden,
Hong Kong.
Source: DHL, CIA World Factbook
For an estimate of landed costs (duties, taxes and other
import fees) for shipments going to the South Africa, use
the free DHL Express Trade Automation Services (TAS) tool.
tas.dhl.com TAS also provides information on regulation
compliance and trade documentation.
Prohibited Items
The list below is in addition to DHL’s standard list of
prohibited items.
•Furs
•Antiques
•Ivory
•Asbestos
•Jewellery
•Dangerous goods,
hazardous or combustible
•Pairs of shoes
materials
•Precious metals and stones
•Firearms or parts of
•Used textile articles
Restricted Items
UK to South Africa 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.
Pretoria
Non-Dutiable: 2 days
Dutiable: 2 days
Johannesburg
Non-Dutiable: 2 days
Dutiable: 2 days
Cape Town
Non-Dutiable: 2 days
Dutiable: 2 days
Durban
Non-Dutiable: 3 days
Dutiable: 3 days
Port Elizabeth
Non-Dutiable: 3 days
Dutiable: 3 days
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.
For more information
If you need support or advice on trading with South Africa, help is available.
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.
Contact the DHL Express team on 0844 248 0675
Tobacco
DHL Customer Services is also available on 0844 248 0844
Contact your local Chambers of Commerce
www.britishchambers.org.uk
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.
Contact your local UKTI
www.ukti.gov.uk
A phytosanitary certificate is required for coffee and coffee
samples, cotton seed, grain samples, plants and plant
products, seeds, tobacco and tea.
Visit www.dhlguide.co.uk for international trade information and
to read our blog
Wooden Crates (except plywood, chipboard and compressed
fibreboard) must have ISPM15 stamp and registration number
to show fumigated.
Follow us on Twitter @dhlexpressuk to keep up to date with all the
latest developments in international trade
For ship spares, used goods and x-ray machines, please
contact DHL Customer Services before shipping.
Valid from: 06/2014
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