Exporting to South Africa

South Africa, located at the bottom of the African continent and filled with natural resources, is a sophisticated and promising market. It has a well developed economic infrastructure and opportunities in its emerging markets. In the year ended June 2019, total UK exports to South Africa amounted to £4.2 billion (ONS, 2019).

Access to Africa

South Africa’s large and diverse economy plays an important role in the region. Its strong financial, legal and business services and extensive transport infrastructure make it an ideal gateway to other countries and markets in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Demand for goods

In the year to June 2019, the top goods exported from the UK to South Africa were cars, beverages, mechanical power generators, medicinal and pharmaceutical products and consumer manufactures (ONS, 2019). Therefore, if you are a UK business looking to export these goods, then South Africa may be a good market for you.

Demand for services

The top services imported by South Africa from the UK were transportation, travel, intellectual property, business services and financial services (ONS, 2019). Therefore, if you operate in any of these industries, South Africa could be a good market for you.

Ease of doing business

84th

out of 190 countries (World Bank, 2019)

Currency

Rand

Business language

English

GDP per capita

$6,354

UK is $42,558 (IMF, 2018)

Economic growth

0.2%

(IMF, 2019)

Time zone

GMT +2

Next steps

DIT can advise you on doing business abroad, and help put you in touch with other people who can help such as lawyers and distributors.

Check duties and customs procedures for exporting goods

Get in touch with one of our trade advisers

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