Stricter import enforcement measures introduced by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition could lead to short-term clearance delays as authorities strengthen compliance monitoring across a range of imported consumer goods.
The DTIC last month issued a directive requiring importers to obtain Certificates of Conformity for certain products to prove compliance with applicable South African National Standards (SANS) or other recognised standards.
The measures apply to products not already regulated by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) and include items such as plastic utensils and toys, skin-lightening creams, non-stick pans, aluminium cookware, generators, gas stoves and construction material.
The directive would be monitored through existing customs and import control mechanisms, with the DTIC also working alongside the NRCS to target illegal and non-compliant imports, resulting in more frequent inspections at ports of entry to ensure goods meet the required standards, says Pauline Kumlehn, a partner at Shepstone & Wylie Attorneys.
“This may in turn lead to short-term clearance delays,” she told Freight News.
Asked about current challenges facing traders, Kumlehn says the misclassification of goods under Harmonised System (HS) codes, customs valuation disputes and inaccurate or incomplete documentation, continues to result in clearance delays and penalties.
“Applications for tariff or valuation determinations to SARS can be time-consuming and, where disputes remain unresolved, may even lead to High Court litigation, creating additional costs and uncertainty until final judgment is reached,” she says.
Evolving international trade policies, including changing US tariff regimes and new European Union standards, continue to place pressure on traders to adapt quickly to changing compliance requirements. “High tariffs, strict labelling requirements, technical standards and customs valuation disputes can all create obstacles for international trade,” Kumlehn says.
High logistical and regulatory costs remain a major concern for businesses involved in international trade in South Africa. “Although lower than the tariff initially requested, the Ports Regulator of South Africa approved an average 7.57% increase for the 2026-2027 financial year,” she said. “This increase is applied differentially across tariff categories, including increases of 9.60% for marine services and 7.8% for container imports and exports.”
Geopolitical instability in the Middle East has further compounded rising trade costs, particularly through higher fuel prices and additional supply chain surcharges.
As an example, Maersk recently announced the introduction of Port Additional/Port Dues Export (PAE) and Port Additional/Port Dues Import (PAI) charges to recover the Fuel Neutrality Charges introduced by Transnet Port Terminals. The Fuel Neutrality Charge applies to all containers handled on vessels berthing from May 1.
“We have also seen increased activity from the Border Management Authority and, in particular, the State Vet, which has adopted a stricter approach to imports,” says Kumlehn.
She adds that the National Treasury has also published the draft Capital Flow Management Regulations 2026 for public comment until May 18, replacing the existing Exchange Control Regulations.
