On 27 March 2025, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) announced the publication of its “Quick Reference Guide on Anti-Dumping, Countervailing, and Safeguard Duties.”
Introduction
To protect domestic industries from unfair trade practices, trade remedies may be imposed in the form of anti-dumping duties for cases of dumping, countervailing measures for subsidised exports, and safeguard measures for situations of disruptive competition. These measures may be imposed in addition to any applicable customs duty. Anti-dumping duties are always implemented as duties, while countervailing and safeguard measures may take the form of duties, quotas or both.
Under international law, trade remedies are governed by the World Trade Organization (WTO) General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. Domestically, these remedies are governed by the International Trade Administration Act, 2002 (ITAC Act).
The Southern African Customs Union (SACU) maintains a common external tariff, meaning that all SACU member states, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa, apply the same customs duty rates on goods imported from outside SACU.
In SACU, the role of the Tariff Board is fulfilled by the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC). ITAC manages tariff applications and makes recommendations to the SACU Council regarding customs duties and trade remedies.
The Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (the Act) 1 provides for the imposition of trade remedies when requested by the Minister of Trade and Industry and Competition.
The Guide is accessible at:
