When South Africa was pulled out of the Commonwealth of Nations in 1961, the United Kingdom opposed monetary and economic sanctions. Britain had many key trade links and, in particular, needed South Africa’s gold.
Exports today include corn, diamonds, fruits, gold, metals and minerals, sugar, and wool. Machinery and transportation equipment make up more than one-third of the value of the country’s imports. The country’s diamond industry is the fourth-largest in the world, with only Botswana, Canada, and Russia producing more diamonds each year.
Among individual countries, China is South Africa’s biggest trading partner, with imports and exports between the two nations totaling R263.9 billion in 2013.
The UK signed a continuity deal with six African nations – South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and Mozambique – on 9 October. Trade between the UK and these six countries was worth £10.2bn in 2018.
As we leave the EU and create a new independent UK trade policy, we will build further on our £9 billion annual trade with South Africa, our biggest trading partner in Africa, and champion free trade to help developing countries combat poverty and grow their economies.
The UK remains an important strategic partner for South Africa globally. South Africa and the UK have enjoyed mutually beneficial preferential trade since the entry into force of the first reciprocal trade agreement between South Africa and the EU in January 2000.
If you need to ship goods to South Africa we offer a range of Professional Freight Shipping Services via Sea, Air & Road. Our Dedicated Customer Services Team at Independent Freight and Hooper & Co who are always on hand to help and solve your problems quickly and efficiently.
Call us to obtain a free quotation on: +44(0)2476 343037
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