What does an Import / Export / Freight Forwarding need to register in South Africa?

An Import / Export / Freight Forwarding in South Africa has 7 required and 9 recommended registrations, licences and documents to think about, with SARS Customs + ITAC + SARB. 5 of them are specific to this kind of business; the rest apply to most businesses. Setting up usually costs about R8 000 to R30 000.

✓ Checked on 19 October 2026 against the official sources · How we check

Tick what you have: free gap report →See which of these you still need, with costs and deadlines. Free, no signup.

Specific to an Import / Export / Freight Forwarding (5)

SARS Customs Trader RegistrationRequired to clear goods through SA ports.Cost: Free · Before you start trading
Import / Export Licence (ITAC)For regulated goods. Check if your goods require a permit.Cost: R1k–R5k · Before you start trading
VAT Registration (above R2.3 million)Compulsory once taxable supplies pass R2.3 million in 12 months; voluntary from R120 000. Importing and exporting do not by themselves require VAT registration, but a VAT vendor can claim back VAT paid on imports.Cost: Free · Before you start trading
Foreign Exchange through Your BankCross-border payments are made through an authorised dealer (your bank), which applies the exchange control rules. No separate SARB authorisation is needed for ordinary trade payments.Cost: Free–R5k · Before you start trading
Cargo InsuranceCovers goods in transit internationally. Not a legal requirement for most businesses, but clients, landlords and tenders often ask for it; some professional bodies require cover, so check your body's rules.Cost: R5k–R20k/yr · Before you start trading

Required (5)

CIPC Registration (companies, NPCs and co-ops only)Only if you trade as a company (Pty Ltd), a non-profit company or a co-operative: register on BizPortal (from R175 for a Pty Ltd). A sole proprietor trades in their own name and does not register with CIPC.Cost: From R175 · Within 30 days
SARS Income Tax RegistrationA company is registered for income tax automatically when CIPC registers it: activate it on eFiling. A sole proprietor registers as an individual taxpayer on eFiling and declares business income on their own return (ITR12).Cost: Free · Within 30 days
UIF Registration (only if you employ anyone)Compulsory once someone works for you 24 hours a month or more. Register on uFiling. Contributions: 1% from the employer and 1% from the employee.Cost: Free · Within 30 days
POPIA: register your Information OfficerIf you keep customer or staff details, POPIA applies. The owner or head of the business is the Information Officer and must be registered with the Information Regulator (free, online). Check the Regulator's guidance on whether you also need a PAIA manual.Cost: Free · Within 30 days
COIDA Registration (only if you employ anyone)Compulsory once you employ anyone, domestic workers included: register with the Compensation Fund within 7 days, submit the Return of Earnings each year and keep your Letter of Good Standing, which tenders ask for.Cost: % of wages · Within 30 days

Recommended (6)

Business Bank AccountNot a legal requirement for a sole proprietor, but it keeps business money separate from personal money. A company needs an account in its own name, and tenders and funders usually ask for a bank confirmation letter.Cost: R0–R200/mo · Before you start trading
Written Employment ContractsOnly if you employ anyone: the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (section 29) requires written particulars of employment, and a written contract covers them.Cost: Free · Within 30 days
B-BBEE Affidavit or CertificateNot needed to trade. In most government tenders it earns preference points rather than deciding whether you may bid. With turnover under R10 million (an EME) a free sworn affidavit is enough; a verification certificate costs more.Cost: Free (affidavit) · Within 30 days
SARS Tax Clearance / Compliance StatusRequired for tenders, funding applications, and many B2B contracts. Via SARS eFiling.Cost: Free · Within 30 days
VAT Registration (if turnover > R2.3M/yr)Compulsory above R2.3M annual taxable turnover. Voluntary from R120k.Cost: Free · As you grow
Health & Safety FileRisk assessments, incident procedures and emergency plans. The Occupational Health and Safety Act places these duties on employers.Cost: R2k–R8k · Within 30 days

Open my free checklist →Then download your gap report as a PDF, add your SARS and CIPC dates to your phone, or get the documents you are missing (R50 each, or up to 20 for R350).

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General guidance only, not legal, tax or compliance advice. Requirements, fees and processes change: confirm each item with the official body before you act. SignalLedger is an independent private platform, not a government website. Checked 19 October 2026. How we check our information.