[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Exporting from South Africa is basically the inverse of importing, as discussed under “How to Import – Part 1”. There are documents that as an exporter, you would need to complete and produce, which we will list in this article.
Registering
The first step is to find out if you are ready to export from South Africa. You would need to register as an exporter using the DA185 and DA185.4A2 form which is available from the SARS website. There are various registration options, dependant on the terms you would like to register as an exporter under. For more information you can visit the SARS website: www.sars.gov.za.
You can also do an export readiness assessment on the DTI website. It is also suggested that you find out if there are any export incentives for your product from South Africa. The next step would be to decide on the best incoterm, which is explained in detail in How to Import – Part 1.
Documents the Exporter needs to Complete
The export process has a wide variety of documents that the exporter needs to complete in order to ensure that the order reaches its destination with no hassles. These documents include those required:
- by South African authorities,
- by the importer,
- for payment and
- for transportation.
The documents also vary according to the destination country and type of product being shipped. An international freight forwarder usually handles the export documentation due to the multitude of documentary requirements.
1. Documents involving the exporter in South Africa
- The proforma invoice – This is not a legal document
- The export contract
- The commercial invoice
- The packing list
- Letter of credit
- Certificate of origin if required and can be obtained from your local chamber of commerce
- Certificates of health, if required
- Fumigation certificate , if required
- Pre-shipment inspection certificate, if required
- Transport documents i.e. bill of lading / air waybill / Road manifest>
2. Documents required to export goods from South Africa
- Commercial invoice
- Bill of entry export – SAD500
- Export permit, if required.
- Transport documents
- Letter of credit, if required
- And other relevant bank forms
3. Documents required for transportation
- Bill of lading – Sea Freight
- Air waybill – Air Freight
- Freight transit order – Road Freight
- Road consignment note – Road Freight
- Export cargo shipping instruction – sea, air and road
- Bill of lading, air waybill and road manifest are usually completed by your service provider
4. Documents required for payment
- Commercial invoice
- Letter of credit
- Transport documents
5. Insurance documents
- Marine Insurance
- Not compulsory
- Large Corporates usually have open policies
- The other option is that your Service Provider can cover you or you can yourself per shipment.
- To establish an LC, it will be a requirement to have an insurance certificate.
- Increasingly important for the parties involved to insure their respective risks.
- Major risks are damage or loss during the transportation process.
- To cover risks involved in all forms of transportation, e.g. Sea, road, rail and air.
- Where the goods are loaded onto their first form of transport, until they arrive at their final destination.
As can be seen, there are a number of documents required when exporting from South Africa. In How to Export – Part 2 we look at the most common documentation in detail.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]