South Africa to United States Trade Corridor
South Africa to United States: $18.0B bilateral trade, +3.1% YoY, rank #31 corridor, 3.5% average applied tariff, FTA status: Partial FTA.
Key facts
- Bilateral trade: $18.0B
- Year on year growth: +3.1%
- Corridor rank: #31 on ExportIQ
- Average applied tariff: 3.5%
- Trade agreement status: Partial FTA
- Typical transit time: 18-25 days
- Key ports: Durban, Cape Town, New York, Houston
Trade relationship
South Africa-US trade benefits from AGOA preferential access. South African automotive exports, platinum, and citrus fruits are major shipments, while American machinery and aircraft flow southward.
Top traded products between South Africa and United States
The largest product groups on this corridor are Vehicles (BMW, Mercedes SA plants), Platinum and precious metals, Ores. Together they make up 52.7% of bilateral trade.
| HS Chapter | Product | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 87 | Vehicles (BMW, Mercedes SA plants) | $4.0B | 22.2% |
| 71 | Platinum and precious metals | $3.5B | 19.4% |
| 26 | Ores | $2.0B | 11.1% |
| 08 | Citrus fruits | $800M | 4.4% |
| 72 | Iron and steel | $700M | 3.9% |
| 22 | Wine | $400M | 2.2% |
Tariffs and trade agreements
The average applied tariff is 3.5%. Free trade agreement status: Partial FTA.
Applicable trade agreements:
- AGOA
- WTO
Required certifications
Exporters on this corridor should expect to provide 4 certifications.
- SABS
- FDA
- NRCS
- ISO 9001
Trade logistics and key ports
Estimated transit time is 18-25 days. The corridor runs through 4 key ports.
- Durban
- Cape Town
- New York
- Houston
Check duty and demand for your product on this corridor
Questions, answered
- What are the top products traded between South Africa and United States?
- Vehicles (BMW, Mercedes SA plants), Platinum and precious metals, Ores
- What is the average tariff rate for South Africa to United States trade?
- The average applied tariff rate is 3.5%. FTA status: Partial FTA.
- How long does shipping take from South Africa to United States?
- Typical transit time is 18-25 days via Durban and Cape Town.
- How large is trade between South Africa and United States?
- Bilateral trade is $18.0B, up 3.1% year on year. It ranks #31 among the corridors ExportIQ tracks.
- Which certifications are required for South Africa to United States exports?
- Required certifications: SABS, FDA, NRCS, ISO 9001.