An MBendi Profile: Guide to Exporting from South Africa

This Guide to Exporting from South Africa, provided as a free service by MBendi Information Services and Whitehouse & Associates, brings together reference information and interactive tools to assist novice and experienced exporters, importers and service providers, both inside and outside South Africa, to export efficiently from South Africa. We recommend you use this page to familiarise yourself with the export sequence and the reference information and tools that are available, before plunging in. Remember, exporting can be complex and we urge you to use professional advisers and services providers where appropriate.

The Export Sequence

Reference Information and Tools

Decide to Go International
The decision to export should not be taken lightly. Exporting demands knowledge, planning, resource allocation and management commitment.

Develop Export Strategy
International marketing presents unique challenges. The basic principles of domestic marketing still apply but your company is nowoperating in an unknown, often uncertain, external environment.

Find Export Opportunity
Identifying export markets involves both desk and in- market research to find and make contact with prospective customers. You will need to register asan exporter.

Prepare Quotation
Once you receive an enquiry about your product, you will need to conduct a feasibility study, involving an analysis ofproduction, transport and financing options. A quotation can now be sent eithervia your agent or directly to the prospective buyer.

Prepare Pro-Forma Invoice
On receipt of the provisional order, you are now in a position to prepare andissue a signed, detailed pro-forma invoice containing all the provisions ofyour contract of sale and purchase.

Draw up Contract of Sale
When the importer sends you a firm order, receipt should be acknowledged without delay. You and yourbuyer now have a contract of sale subject to the issue of the agreed letter ofcredit or other payment mechanism.

Arrange Finance, Production, Transport, Insurance, Inspection
You might need to arrange pre-shipment or post-shipment finance. You need to decide on the bestmode of transport and book space. Assuming an inspection certificate isrequired, you must make arrangements for the goods to be inspected. Dependingon the agreed term of delivery, you will take out cargo insurance and creditinsurance. You should ensure that the goods are suitably packaged for theforeign market.

Comply with Foreign Exchange and Regulatory Requirements
You need to ensure that you comply with any local export restrictions and complete the exchange control declarationdocument.

Prepare Export Documentation
You will provide your chosen freight forwarder with copies of all relevant documents.

Ensure Payment and Follow Up
Depending on the terms of payment, you will have taken out forward cover. Once you have startedto export, you should continuously monitor and improve all your exportprocesses, so that you can prosper as a global player.

Register / Log-on
Some of the resources and tools listed below are only available to registered users of the MBendi website. We recommend that youregister and log-on before accessing these.

Reference Information:

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