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The consumer

Consumer Profile
The population in South Africa is relatively young, with a median age of 28.1 years. The number of inhabitants has increased by 1.2% in 2021. However, the population is gradually ageing. About 44.9% of the population is under 25 years old, 42.5% is 25 to 54 years old, and 12.6% is over 55 years old (Data Reportal). The average number of people per household is 3.4 (ESRI, 2021). There are more women (50.8%) than men in South Africa. The South African government estimates that 80.9% of the population is black, 8.8% mestizo, 7.8% white and 2.6% Asian. The inhabitants are 68.3% in urban areas. The provinces of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal respectively account for 26.3% and 19.1% of the population, and the major cities in terms of density are the cities of Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. The level of education in the country has been judged to be among the lowest in the world by the OECD. Only 48% of adults aged 25-64 have completed upper secondary education, lower than the OECD average of 79%; and only 7% of the 25-64 years old have attained a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree. The level of below upper secondary attainment among 55-64 year-old is very high, at 68.6% (OECD, 2020). Moreover, the level of education varies according to ethnic origin. Only 4.8% of the Black and 5% of the Métis had a degree in 2020, compared to 26.8% of the White and 15.1% of the Asians. Similarly, ‘some secondary education’ is the highest level attained by 41% of the Black, 43.3% of the Métis, 21.7% of the Asian and 12.1% of the White (South Africa Department of Higher Education and Training).
Basic occupations account for 24.9% of the labour force, sales and service occupations 14.8%, crafts tradesmen 10.4%, office workers 9.4%, technicians 8.7%, managers 8.6%, plant and machine operators 8.5%, workers 6.5%, professionals 6.4% and farmers represent 0.5% (Stats SA, 2021).
Purchasing Power
According to the World Bank, the PPP per capita GDP in South Africa amounts to $ 13,360 in 2020. South African households had an average disposable income of about USD 9,338 in 2021 (OECD). The purchasing power is very limited for many inhabitants, since more than half of the population lives below the national poverty line and the unemployment rate is very high (33,6% in 2021). Social and income inequalities are high in South Africa and the Gini coefficient for total net wealth inequality stands at 0.76 in 2019 (0 being the minimum level of inequality, 1 the maximum, World Bank). South Africa suffers among the highest levels of inequality in the world, with high unemployment, especially among young people (over 50%), being one of the main causes of inequality. Women earn 38% less than men (World Bank). In addition, the white population represents slightly more than 10% of the labour force, but earns almost 3 times the average salary of the black population, constituting nearly three quarters of the total labour force. Black people represent the majority of the country's jobless at more than 39%, compared with a rate of 8.8% for white people (Stats SA 2021).
Consumer Behaviour
Due to minimal increases in wages and rising prices, consumers sometimes have tight budgets. Consumption is not as massive as in Western countries and South Africans tend to watch their finances and curb spending. The perception of the price / quality ratio is generally the main purchase factor for a South African consumer. To increase their savings, some purchases are sometimes pushed back, prices are compared and consumers are ready to move away to do better business. Purchases are increasingly made at discounters or using different channels. Modern retailers are no longer preferred to small traders and informal traders. The level of consumer confidence is low. Internet penetration has been rising in recent years and this is reflected in the evolution of online sales. The increase in online retailing has influenced the way in which South African consumers buy their goods in-store. Since social media has been recognized as a major source of influence, retailers are increasingly using such platforms to build their reputation. Consumers are encouraged to buy on the internet because of lower prices and free. Data protection is often a topic of interest to consumers. Also, 70% of South Africans worry that they will not be able to protect their personal and financial data while many fear cyber-attacks. Consumers tend to favour national companies, especially in the fashion sector. However, they are relatively open to international companies, especially Western ones. Consumers tend to be loyal to brands, only if the price charged by the company is right.

Some trends have emerged recently in South Africa driven by consumers wanting to reduce their spending. First, cocooning is developing, entertainment is increasingly at home rather than in shopping malls, clubs and other establishments. This is also the consequence of rising fears for personal safety. Inexpensive Experiences like going to the beach are increasingly preferred to material goods as are listening to music or watching sports events on TV. The adoption of a more responsible mode of consumption is under development. Indeed, transparency and authenticity are two factors that can push a consumer to make a purchase. In a country characterized by extreme economic inequality between rich and poor, consumers are becoming socially aware and tech-savvy, they are attracted to companies that act as a force for positive change. In South Africa, industry pioneers such as Discovery, Unilever and Woolworths are driving this trend. The young population is more concerned than the rest of the population by the issues of eco-citizenship and the preservation of the planet. The second-hand market is growing in the country, and it is estimated that 15% of the South African population sells used products online (fashion items, phones, DVDs, CDs, books and electronics), and this figure is increasing. Collaborative platforms such as Airbnb and Uber are expanding in the country.
Consumer Recourse to Credit
Credit and debit cards as well as online payments are the most common means of payment in South Africa. In order to meet consumption needs, the majority of households use indebtedness and loans to households have increased in 2018. However, due to the recession and rising over-indebtedness, consumers tend to concentrate on the repayment of their debt rather than on new large purchases. In addition, private loans and loans outside the formal system are common in South Africa, and the situation of over-indebtedness may be more serious than the figures published by the government. There are more than 24 million credit consumers. Credit, personal loan, car loan and mortgage loans are estimated at 17.9 million with assets of 1.57 trillion Rand. The loans are used to finance real estate projects, to offset the cost of living, to purchase cars. With the recession, consumers should continue to use consumer credit to finance themselves other than savings, and this could continue to increase the country's over-indebtedness.
Growing Sectors
Technologies, mobile phones, connected objects, security equipment, photovoltaic panels, prepared and takeaway meals, home and office delivery services, fruits and vegetables, clothing and footwear, jewelery.
Consumers Associations
Parliamentary Oversight Group , in English
National Consumer Commission , in English
Credit Bureau Association , in English
 

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Importing & Distributing

Import Procedures
South Africa has a complex import procedure. South African Revenue Service (SARS) has about 90 000 product codes that strictly apply to all imports. Foreign exporters are strongly encouraged to seek a local agent for customs clearance with a good understanding of South African legislation.

Customs SA, a division of SARS, requires importers to register and obtain a SARS importer code. SARS uses a Single Administrative Document (SAD) to facilitate custom clearance for importers, exporters and cross-border traders. The SAD is a multi-purpose goods declaration form that covers imports, exports, cross-border and transit movements. The following documents are required to obtain the SAD:

  • One negotiable and two non-negotiable copies of the Bill of Lading.
  • A Declaration of Origin Form, DA59, is to be used in cases where a rate of duty lower than the general rate is claimed as well as for goods subject to antidumping or countervailing duty.
  • Four copies and one original Commercial Invoice. Invoices from suppliers are not accepted as satisfying the requirements of the customs regulations unless they meet certain requirements of the SARS (see SARS website for more information).
  • One copy of the insurance certificate (for sea freight)
  • Three copies of the Packing List. Data contained in this document should agree with that in other documents.

After registering as an importer with the South African Revenue Service (Sars), one can apply for an import permit from the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC), which ensures that imported goods comply with the country's safety, quality, environmental and health requirements. They must also comply with the provisions of international agreements.

Please visit the website of the South African Revenue Service for more information.

Specific Import Procedures
There are certain restricted items which require import licenses. A license (permit) is only valid in respect of the goods of the class and country specified. It is non-transferable and may only be used by the person to whom it was issued.

Import permits are valid only for the calendar year in which they are issued. Import permits required for specific categories of restricted goods are obtainable from the Director of Import and Export Control at the Department of Trade and Industry.

Distribution channels
One of Africa’s largest and most affluent markets, South Africa has a well-developed retail sector, including a number of major domestic players. The emergence of supermarkets and hypermarkets, which sell large quantities of nearly all consumer goods on a self-serve basis, has resulted in major developments in the distribution sector in South Africa; however, traditional grocery retailers are still widespread.

According to Stats SA, retail sales reached 1.166 trillion rands in 2021. The sector recorded a positive growth performance – spending on retail increased by 6.4% in 2021 compared to the previous year in value terms, in the context of economic recovery. General dealers are responsible for 42.7% of sales, the second largest contributor was stores specialising in clothing and textiles (18.2%) and finally stores specialising in hardware, paint and glass (8.3%) (Stats SA, February 2022). Over one-third (38.7%) of the 1 million individuals working in retail were employed in non-specialised stores, although recording the lowest salaries in the sector. According to latest data available by USDA, the retail market growth in South Africa is mostly driven by discounters (7% growth in 2020) and hypermarkets (7%). The other formats of stores are still growing, but at a slower pace : supermarkets (5%) and convenience stores (3%). Traditional grocery retailers’ sales decreased by -15%.

Distribution market players
Although the black middle class with considerable disposable income has expanded in recent years in South Africa, major income disparities persist. The major share of South Africa's consumer market is divided into two parts: a market for those with high spending power (a majority of whites and newly affluent blacks), and a market for those with very limited spending power (the majority of blacks).

The majority of retail sales takes place in shopping centres, groups of small shops, department stores (Stuttafords, Edgars, Woolworths), supermarkets (Checkers, Pick' n Pay) and hypermarkets (Makro). Traditional shops remain active, in particular outside of major cities, but do not represent a big share of the market and are mainly used by poorer segments of the population.

The main retailers in South Africa are Shoprite Holdings, Pick’ n Pay Retailers, Spar Group, Massmart (Walmart-owned), and Woolworths Holdings, together accounting for about 80% of all retail sales (USDA).

Retail Sector Organisations
Fuel Retailers' Association
South African Council of Shopping Centres
Consumer Goods Council of South Africa

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Operating a Business

Type of companies

Private Limited Liability Company
Number of partners: Minimum: 1, no upper limit.
Capital (max/min): No legal limit.
Shareholders and liability: Liability limited to amount of capital contributed.
Public Limited Liability Company
Number of partners: Directors: minimum of 3, no upper limit.
Shareholders: minimum of 1, no upper limit.
Capital (max/min): No legal limit.
Shareholders and liability: A member's liability is limited to the par value of the shares he/she owns.
Private Company
Number of partners: 1 partner.
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital.
Shareholders and liability: The active partner's liability is unlimited. 
Partnership
Number of partners: Minimum 2, Maximum 20 partners.
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital.
Shareholders and liability: The active partner's liability is unlimited. Associates' liability is limited to the amount of capital they contributed.
 
Setting Up a Company South Africa Sub-Saharan Africa
Procedures (number) 7.0 7.5
Time (days) 40.0 21.3

Source: Doing Business - Latest available data.

 

Cost of Labour

Minimum Wage
The National Minimum Wage (NMW) for each ordinary hour worked is R23.19.
Average Wage
According to the latest survey by Stats SA, average monthly earnings were measured at R23,982 in the formal non-agricultural sector of the economy in November 2021. This is a 0.3% increase compared with August 2021, and an annual increase of 3.9%.
Social Contributions
Social Security Contributions Paid By Employers: South Africa does not have a comprehensive social security system or a national healthcare program; consequently, no significant social security taxes are levied.
Employers are obligated to make contributions to an unemployment insurance fund at the rate of 1% of gross remuneration.
Social Security Contributions Paid By Employees: 1% contribution of unemployement insurance fund.
 

Intellectual Property

National Organisations
The national organisation for the protection of trademarks and patents is the CIPC (Companies and Intellectual Property Commission).
The South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law is another organisation.
South Africa signed the Paris Convention for the protection of industrial roperty, as well as the agreement establishing the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
Regional Organisations
African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO)
International Membership
Member of the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization)
Signatory to the Paris Convention For the Protection of Intellectual Property
 

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Tax Rates

Consumption Taxes

Nature of the Tax
VAT = Valued Added Tax (BTW = Belasting over de Toegevoegde Waarde in Afrikaans).
Tax Rate
15%
Reduced Tax Rate
Zero-rated items include international passenger and freight transport services and associated services, goods solely used for export, services provided outside South Africa or to foreign branches and headquarters, services directly linked to land abroad, specific services for non-residents or public authorities, certain essential food items, sanitary products, illuminating kerosene, leaded and unleaded gasoline, gold coins issued by the reserve bank, transfer of operational enterprises if all criteria are met, certain fuel levy goods, specific grants received, export of intellectual property, services to non-residents subject to specific provisions, triangular supplies with special requirements, goods stored in licensed Customs and Excise warehouses but not for domestic consumption, and certain goods for agricultural or farming purposes.
Other Consumption Taxes
Other indirect taxes include: custom duties (on certain luxury items); anti-dumping and countervailing duties; excise duties on tobacco, alcoholic beverages, fuel and petroleum products; and excise levies on fuel, road accidents, electricity, sugar and tyres.
Petroleum fuel prices encompass a fuel levy, with the general levy for 2024/25 set at 394 cents per litre for petrol and 380 cents per litre for diesel. Additionally, starting April 3, 2024, a carbon tax levy of 11 cents per litre (petrol) and 14 cents per litre (diesel) is enforced. Certain industries, including agriculture, fishing, mining, and temporarily foodstuff manufacturing, may claim a full or partial refund of the diesel general fuel levy.
To encourage energy efficiency, a levy of 3.5 cents per kWh is imposed on electricity generated from non-renewable sources, collected at the point of production and passed on to consumers in their electricity bills.
Tyres are subject to a levy of ZAR 2.30 per kilogram.
The Health Promotion Levy on Sugary Beverages, effective since April 1, 2018, is based on the sugar content of the beverage, with the current rate set at 2.1 cents per gram for sugar content exceeding 4g/100ml.
Air passenger tax is imposed on international flights, with passengers departing to Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, and Swaziland paying ZAR 100, and ZAR 190 for other destinations, added to the ticket price.
 

Corporate Taxes

Company Tax
27% (for tax years ending on or after 31 March 2023; was 28% before)
Tax Rate For Foreign Companies
A company is considered to be resident in South Africa if it is incorporated, established, or formed in South Africa or has its place of effective management in the country (meaning by this the place where key management and commercial decisions that are necessary for the conduct of its business as a whole are taken).
Non-residents are liable to pay tax on capital gains made from the sale of any asset that is effectively linked to a permanent establishment in South Africa.
Capital Gains Taxation
While gains realized by companies are taxed at the standard corporate income tax (CIT) rate, only 80% of these gains are included in taxable income. This results in an effective capital gains tax rate of 22.4% for companies for tax years ending before March 31, 2023, and 21.6% for tax years ending on or after March 31, 2023. A resident is liable for the capital tax on assets located both in and outside South Africa, while a non-resident is liable to capital tax only on immovable property in South Africa or assets of a permanent establishment in the country. Certain indirect interests in immovable property such as shares in a property company are deemed to be immovable property.
Main Allowable Deductions and Tax Credits

In general, expenses incurred for the purposes of income generation are deductible.
The majority of taxes (with the exception of income taxes, donations tax, withholding taxes on interest, and dividends tax) are deductible from a company’s taxable income, provided they qualify for deduction under general rules. Assessed losses can be carried forward indefinitely, as long as a similar trade or business remains active without interruption. For tax years ending on or after March 31, 2023, companies with assessed losses can offset the balance of these losses carried forward, but the offset amount must not exceed the greater of ZAR 1 million or 80% of the taxable income for that year. Loss carrybacks are not permitted in South Africa.

Special relief is available for start-up (including pre-trade) expenditures, allowing them to be deducted in the year trade begins. These expenses are deductible only if they would have been eligible for deduction had they been incurred after the commencement of trade. Both these expenses and any resulting losses are ring-fenced and can only be deducted against income from the trade to which the start-up costs pertain.
Charitable contributions to certain approved public benefit organisations are tax-deductible (capped at 10% of taxable income).

Bad debts are tax deductible if the debt pertains to an amount that has been included in the taxpayer’s taxable income in any tax year and remains due at the end of the assessment year. Additionally, a tax allowance is provided for doubtful debts. Any bad debts from money lent are deductible if the loans were made in the course of a money-lending business.
Deductions can be claimed for royalties, managerial service fees, and interest charges paid to foreign affiliates, as long as these amounts are comparable to those that would be paid to an unrelated party in an arm’s-length transaction.
The cost of inventory is, in principle, deductible as soon as the inventory is acquired. However, at the end of each year, the cost of the inventory still on hand must be added back to the company’s income and then can be deducted again in the following year. This effectively times the deduction of inventory costs to align with their realization.
Generally, interest expenses incurred in the production of non-exempt income and for trade purposes are deductible. However, interest incurred to produce tax-exempt income is not deductible. A special dispensation allows for the deduction of interest on debt used to acquire shares in a company, provided certain requirements are met.
The sale and purchase of goodwill is typically considered a transaction on the capital account, and the buyer usually cannot claim a deduction for the payment. No capital allowances are available for goodwill.
Tax incentives are also provided for small business corporations, R&D, urban development, infrastructure development, public-private partnership grants, environmental expenditure deductions, energy efficiency savings, companies located in Special Economic Zones, etc.

Other Corporate Taxes

Micro-businesses with annual turnovers under ZAR 1 million may elect to be taxed under a micro-business tax system instead of the ordinary income tax, provisional tax, capital gains tax and VAT systems (at rates varying between 0% and 3% of turnover). Micro-businesses that qualify for the scheme can voluntarily exit the system at the end of any year of assessment. However, once out of it, they will not be permitted to re-enter.
Other special taxes include a 20% withholding tax on payments made to non-residents, individuals, and trusts for services provided, a 15% withholding tax on foreign entertainers and sportspersons, as well as a withholding tax on the acquisition of South African property by a non-resident. A tax on dividends applies to all South African resident companies as well as non-resident companies listed on the JSE at a rate of 20%. Dividends are tax-exempt if the beneficial owner of the dividend is a South African resident company, a South African retirement fund, or another prescribed exempt person.

Municipal taxes, a transfer tax on securities (0.25%), environmental taxes, financial transaction taxes, electricity and fuel levies, and donations taxes also apply (20% of the property with a value up to ZAR 30 million, 25% above this threshold; an annual exemption of ZAR 10,000 is available for companies; public companies are exempt from the donations tax; public companies, consisting of listed companies, are exempt from donations tax.). A skills development levy is payable monthly by the employers at the rate of 1% of payroll (companies with an annual payroll of less than ZAR 500,000 are exempt). Employers also contribute to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (1% of the employee’s gross remuneration, capped at ZAR 177.12 monthly) and to the fund for compensation for occupational injuries and diseases (rates vary depending on the sector of activity, salary capped at ZAR 506,473 per year/employee).

Local municipalities levy rates on land based on a percentage of the municipal valuation of land and improvements, which vary from municipality to municipality. Properties zoned for business use are generally taxed at a higher rate.
Transfer duty levied on the sale of immovable property is payable by the person acquiring the property within six months from the date of acquisition.
Transfers of immovable property subject to VAT are exempt from transfer duty. Rates vary between 0% and 13% of the purchase price, at the following rates:

  • property value of up to 1,100,000 ZAR: No transfer duty.
  • 1,100,001 to 1,512,500 ZAR: 3% on amount exceeding 1,100,000 ZAR.
  • 1,512,501 to 2,117,500 ZAR: 12,375 ZAR plus 6% on amount exceeding 1,512,500 ZAR.
  • 2,117,501 to 2,722,500 ZAR: 48,675 ZAR plus 8% on amount exceeding 2,117,500 ZAR.
  • 2,722,501 to 12,100,000 ZAR: 97,075 ZAR plus 11% on amount exceeding 2,722,500 ZAR.
  • Over 12,100,001 ZAR: 1,128,600 ZAR plus 13% on amount exceeding 12,100,000 ZAR.

Several environmental taxes apply, including a vehicle emissions tax, a fuel levy, a tyre levy and an electricity levy.

Other Domestic Resources
South African Revenue Service (SARS)
 

Double Taxation Treaties

Countries With Whom a Double Taxation Treaty Have Been Signed
South African Revenue Service
Withholding Taxes
Withholding taxes are: 20% for dividends paid to individuals or foreign companies, 0% if paid to national companies; 0 (resident) -15% (non-resident) for interests; 0 (resident) -15% (non-resident) for royalties.

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