AfCFTA brings changes for Asian imports

Regulations for South African goods destined for Asia which are produced, consolidated, certified, cleared and routed through Africa are being affected by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Exporters should take note of the conditions of the temporary zero-tariff scheme introduced by China for qualifying exports from South Africa and 20 other African countries not designated as least developed, advised Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau in response to the Chinese concession. Around 33 least developed African countries have already been given duty-free access to the Chinese market. From May 1 to April 30, 2028, qualifying South African goods exported to China will benefit from zero customs duties under this scheme, subject to compliance with the applicable tariff schedule and rules of origin. While the scheme applies across a broad range of products, certain goods may be subject to specific conditions, including tariff rate quotas. Exporters are therefore encouraged to familiarise themselves with the detailed tariff schedule and rules of origin documentation to ensure full compliance and optimal utilisation of the preferences, according to Tau. Conditions outlined in the Chinese government’s announcement of the concession include the goods being wholly acquired or produced in an African state enjoying diplomatic relations with China and using inputs either locally sourced or complying with certain conditions. In line with the Chinese conditions, AfCFTA is forcing South African exporters and regulators to become much more precise about where value is created. Under AfCFTA, preferential treatment depends on product- specific Rules of Origin. These distinguish between goods wholly produced in Africa and goods containing imported inputs. SA exporters can obtain certificates of origin from the South African Revenue Service (SARS), according to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. The Certificate of Origin should detail the product’s specifications and the identities of the exporter and importer. A copy of the AfCFTA e-Tariff Book & Rules of Origin can be found at: https:// etariff.au-afcfta.org. SARS is automating AfCFTA processes. Since November 2025, exporters, approved exporters and producers can submit AfCFTA registration applications through the RLA system. This is significant for Far East trade because SA companies importing Asian components and subsequently exporting manufactured goods need increasingly sophisticated HS classifications, customs valuations, origin determination, supplier documentation and electronic customs records. It is particularly relevant to Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Indian companies establishing operations in SA as an African production base. For logistics companies, the changes to intra-African trade of goods with Far East inputs may be more important than the Chinese tariff reductions. Freight forwarders and customs brokers will increasingly need trade-compliance capability, rather than simply transport and documentation capability. They need to know where the product was manufactured; what components were produced; what value percentage was added, and where; the tariff code; whether it qualifies for preference; certificates required; the applicable customs regime; and the final African country. In practical terms, AfCFTA is making regulatory compliance part of supply- chain design, according to the Advanced Institute for Supply Chain Research. ER