Government and exports

The government has a vested interest in ensuring that the country’s exports are healthy. That is why whenever they are able, support is given for exports. The Department of Trade, Industry and Commerce (DTIC) has a dedicated section dealing with exporting.

Start with the Department of Trade and Industry

What would you as an exporter want to do with government departments, you may ask yourself? Well, the answer is that some government departments are very important to exports. The Department of Trade and industry, for example, is considered to be the ‘mother department’ for exporters and they (a) offer a range of export incentives, (b) are responsible for the country’s economic representatives around the world (a key resource for the exporter), (c) bring you regular export-related news, (d) provide access to trade and economic statistics, (e) administer and encourage the establishment of the various export councils, (f) administer export control through the issuing of permits, and much more. The DTI (or ‘thedti’ according to their way naming themselves), is thus a key “port-of-call” for any exporter.

Other Departments you may need to work with

Other Departments that may play a role in exporting, include:

  • The Department of Foreign Affairs – You may need their help when you are overseas and in a few countries they fulfil the role of the economic/trade representative.
  • The South African Revenue Services (SARS) – SARS is the Department responsible for Customs & Excise and you will need to comply with their requirements if you are to export (you will also need to register with them if you plan to become an exporter).
  • Department of Agriculture – You may be required to obtain certain phytosanitary certificates for the export (and subsequent import into other countries) of agricultural produce and these certificates you will obtain from the National Plant Protection of South Africa (NPPOZA). If you are exporting meat from South Africa, you may also require a certificate to be issued by the Directorate: Veterinary Public Health (if asked for by the importing authorities). Click here to learn more about the procedures for the export of fresh meat from South Africa.
  • State Veterinary Services
    Full contact details for the State Veterinary Services in all Provinces including quarantine stations and import/export control.
  • International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa – ITAC
    The aim of ITAC, as stated in the Act, is to foster economic growth and development in order to raise incomes and promote investment and employment in South Africa and within the Common Customs Union Area by establishing an efficient and effective system for the administration of international trade subject to this Act and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Agreement. The core functions are: customs tariff investigations; trade remedies; and import and export control. Of particular interest is the downloadable document on Export Control Regulations from the Government Gazette, 20 June 2008.

Additional links

To access a complete list of government departments, click here.