Bilateral economic and trade relations between South Africa and Australia continue to grow. Australian exports to South Africa were $ 2,53 billion (mainly medicaments, meat and civil engineering equipment).
In South Africa importers must be registered with the Director, Import and Export Control and with the
Commissioner, South African Revenue Services.
Permits are required for the following:
• wood;
• raw wool;
• specified rubber;
• paper products;
• specified chemicals;
• minerals;
• motor and aviation fuels;
• firearms;
• gambling machines;
• refined petroleum products;
• consumer goods (foodstuffs, clothing, fabrics, footwear and books).
Product certification and labeling
Specified plant and animal products require sanitary certificates issued by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry-Australia or the relevant state department of agriculture.
All goods sold by measure must have the actual liquid content marked on the container.
Textiles and silver-plated articles are subject to special marking regulations.
Documentary requirements
Commercial invoices must be in English at all times. It has to describe items in accordance with the HS requires, for example, make, model, serial number and style number.
1 negotiable and 2 non-negotiable copies of bill of lading are required. The bill of lading must also indicate:
• a complete description of the goods, including marks and numbers;
• the name and address of consignee and, if applicable, clearing agent applicable dates;
• ports of loading and discharge;
• weights and measures in metric systems.
3 copies of packing list are required.
Public health requirements
The import of foodstuffs and food preparations is strictly controlled and, in many cases, special import permits must be obtained from the South African Department of Health. | 
