Country guide
Shipping between the US and South Africa
Africa · 8 port guides
In 2025 the United States exported $6.3 billion of goods to South Africa and imported $16.5 billion from there. South Africa ranked 44th among US export markets and 29th among sources of US imports.
- US exports, 2025
- $6.3BUp 8.1% on 2024 ($5.8 billion)
- US imports, 2025
- $16.5BUp 12.1% on 2024 ($14.7 billion)
- Goods balance
- $10.2BUS deficit
- Export market rank
- 44thAmong destinations of US goods
- Import source rank
- 29thAmong sources of US imports
Top goods each way
The five largest Harmonized System chapters by value in 2025, with each chapter's share of the total.
US exports to South Africa
Machinery and mechanical appliances (chapter 84) led US exports to South Africa at $1.2 billion, 19% of the total. The top three chapters made up 48%.
US imports from South Africa
Precious stones, metals and jewelry (chapter 71) led US imports from South Africa at $11.9 billion, 72% of the total. The top three chapters made up 81%.
Trade terms
The United States has no free trade agreement in force with South Africa, according to the US Trade Representative. Check the duty rate for your goods before you ship.
The International Trade Administration covers the import rules and documents South Africa requires in its Country Commercial Guide.
Through Norfolk-Newport News
The Census Bureau records trade by the US port it passes through. These are its 2025 figures for Norfolk-Newport News, Virginia, for trade with South Africa.
- Exports through the port, 2025
- $355.3M5.6% of the US total with South Africa
- Leading export goods
- Machinery and mechanical appliancesHS chapter 84, $137.0 million
- Imports through the port, 2025
- $77.6M0.5% of the US total with South Africa
- Leading import goods
- Miscellaneous chemical productsHS chapter 38, $12.3 million
Ports in South Africa
8 ports in South Africa have a guide here, with depths and facilities from the World Port Index. In the index, Saldanha Bay records the deepest cargo pier of them, at 23 m.
- Cape TownCargo pier 15.5 m, channel 15.9 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkZA CPT
- DurbanCargo pier 11.9 m, channel 11 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkZA DUR
- East LondonCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 11 mZA ELS
- Mossel BayCargo pier 7.2 m, channel 7.9 mZA MZY
- Port ElizabethCargo pier 12.2 m, channel 11 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkZA PLZ
- Richards BayCargo pier 19 m, channel 18.9 m, container and breakbulkZA RCB
- Saldanha BayCargo pier 23 m, channel 23.2 mZA SDB
- SimonstownCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 7.9 mZA SMN
Sources
- US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
- Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
- Trade agreements: Office of the US Trade Representative, free trade agreements, checked November 3, 2026.
- Import requirements: International Trade Administration, Country Commercial Guides, checked November 3, 2026.
- Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.