cross border trade

What you need for cross border trade

Import and exports via a border South Africa shares with one of our neighboring states is called cross border trade.

Generally this involves a truck loaded with goods going through one of our many land borders. Let’s take a look at what you need to import or export goods over a local border.

An import export license

Even though some of the countries that border South Africa is part of our Customs Union, traders need to be registered as importers and/or exporters with SARS Customs to move goods cross border.

SARS requires you or your business to have an import export license under any of the following conditions:

  • You import or export goods more than 3 times in a year.
  • You import or export goods to the value of R150,000 in a year.
  • You pay or accept payment for imports and exports via a South African bank account.
  • You import any amount of goods for re-sale.

Click here to get your import export license now.

A permit for regulated goods

Certain regulated items (e.g. meat, pharmaceuticals, gold, cars, cell phones etc.) need a special permit in addition to the above mentioned license. To get your import/export  permit, click here or contact our permits department on permits@tradelogistics.co.za.

A certificate of origin

If you are importing from a neighboring state that is not part of the South African Customs Union (SACU), you may need to pay import duties on your goods.

However, South African and its neighbours all form part of the SADC Free Trade Agreement. You can save on import duties if you are importing from a country that has a trade agreement with South Africa, providing the goods are of appropriate origin and are accompanied with a certificate of origin.

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Check operating hours

Check the border operating hours so that you do not arrive at a closed border. Some border posts are open 24 hours whereas others are only open for a few hours per day. You can check the government published border times here.

Cross Border Permit

If goods or passengers are being exported for profit and the vehicle, or a combination of vehicles, exceeds a total mass of 3500 kg, a cross-border road transport permit will be required. Foreign registered vehicles used commercially within South Africa also require this permit. You can obtain a cross border road permit here.

Road Freight Manifest

All road hauliers (entities doing business by transporting goods by truck) are required to submit a Road Freight Manifest (RFM) prior to arriving at the border listing of all the goods carried on the carrier vehicle. To do this they need to be registered on custom’s Automated Cargo Management (ACM) system.

Manifests need to be submitted electronically to the ACM system with the use of an electronic communication link to customs called Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).

Customs Declaration From (SAD500)

This form is used to declare all goods to Customs and will need to be approved before the goods will be allowed to cross the border. This form can be completed with a Customs official at the border or submitted electronically in advance if you are registered on the Customs Electronic Data Interchange system (EDI).

Valid passport and drivers license

The driver of the carrier vehicle must have a valid drivers license. The driver and all passengers will need a valid passport to leave South Africa and enter the neighbouring country. Generally our neighbours do not require South African citizens to have a visa for the sake of cross border trade. Namibia does require a visa is you intend to stay longer than 30 days.

ZA vehicle stickers

All vehicles crossing a border must have a ZA sticker. This includes trailers.

Safety gear

Mozambique and Zimbabwe require the vehicles crossing their border to have reflective gear such as warning triangles, reflective vests and a fire extinguisher.

Find more help with your import logistics, original resources, leading-edge training, and assistance with customs licenses on Trade Logistics.