Headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa · AfCFTA-ready trade
Madeinafrica.ioTrade Across Africa
Back home

Trade Regulations

SADC Trade Regulations Database

Import rules, duty rates, standards, and trade agreement benefits for the top 5 SADC economies.

🇿🇦South Africa — Overview

Africa's most industrialized economy. SADC headquarters in Johannesburg. Major export hub with world-class ports (Durban, Cape Town).

⚠️ This information is for general guidance only. Trade regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements with the relevant customs authority or a licensed customs broker before shipping.

Cross-Border Trade ToolsExport Guides
Made in Africa

Verified suppliers, open tenders and cross-border costing for the 16 SADC nations.

CareersBecome a supplier

Check us — we're recruiting

Become a Subcontractor Business Development Manager — earn 15%–30% commission

Escrow on Made in Africa

Read the full escrow guide

What is escrow?

Escrow is a neutral holding arrangement. When you pay for a trade, your money is held securely by a regulated third party — not released to the supplier immediately. The supplier ships. You confirm the goods arrived as agreed. Only then are funds released. If something goes wrong, the money is still there while the dispute is resolved.

Why we use it

  • For buyers: you do not pay a stranger and hope. Funds move only when you confirm delivery.
  • For suppliers: you do not ship on a promise. The buyer's funds are verified and held before you dispatch.
  • For both: disputes are resolved against a held balance, not a vanished payment.
  • Cross-border safety: escrow removes the trust gap in SADC trade where buyer and supplier may never meet.

How a protected trade works

  1. 1

    Buyer pays into escrow

    Funds are held by our payments partner.

  2. 2

    Supplier ships

    With a verified, held balance as proof of commitment.

  3. 3

    Buyer confirms delivery

    Funds released to the supplier. Dispute? Resolution starts within 14 days.

Escrow payments are handled by TradeSafe, our third-party escrow provider.

Made in Africa is connected to TradeSafe in test mode, so no real buyer funds are collected or held yet. Made in Africa never holds, freezes or releases buyer funds itself, and is not an escrow agent.

Full terms are set out in our Escrow Policy. Escrow availability may vary by country and trade value.

Check us before you trade

Who you are dealing with, in writing.

Language

BRICS and SADC languages. Non-English editions are machine drafts.

Support

Questions about a trade, a payment or a listing? Our team answers in English and Portuguese.

Contact support →

Trade on the go with Made in Africa

Add the web app to your home screen on iPhone or Android.

How to install the web app

© 2026 MADEINAFRICADOTIO (Pty) Ltd · Registration number 2026/855463/07 · Madeinafrica.io. All rights reserved.