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Table A3.1 Non-exhaustive list of import prohibitions and restrictions, 2022
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Description/goods: Radioactive chemical elements and radioactive isotopes
Prohibition/restriction: Restricted
Authority/body:: MHSS National Radiation Protection Authority
Documentation requirement: Import/export permit
Actions to be taken by NamRA in case of non compliance: Detain
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1.4. Climate change is another challenge faced by South Africa. Reflecting the country's high energy intensity, CO2 emissions per unit of GDP are high. [11] South Africa relies on coal for electricity generation (Chart 4.2). The Government introduced a carbon tax in 2019 at ZAR 120 (EUR 6.5) per tonne of CO2 equivalent emission. [12] However, the carbon tax rate is considered relatively low by the OECD, which also suggested to increase carbon pricing progressively and reduce exemptions. [13]
[11] According to the OECD report, in 2018, the CO2 emissions per unit of GDP in South Africa were higher than in Brazil, China, India, and Indonesia. OECD (2022), OECD Economic Surveys: South Africa 2022.
[12] The carbon tax is implemented in two phases: a first phase from 1 June 2019 to 31 December 2022 and a second phase from 2023 to 2030. The carbon tax rate increased annually by inflation plus 2% until 2022, and annually by inflation thereafter. OECD (2022), OECD Economic Surveys: South Africa 2022.
[13] In FY2021/22, businesses were granted a delay for the payment of the carbon tax as part of the pandemic response measures. In addition, many industry specific tax free emissions allowances lowered the average carbon tax rate (ranging from ZAR 6 to ZAR 48) per tonne of CO2 equivalent emissions, making South Africa's carbon price low by international comparison. OECD (2022), OECD Economic Surveys: South Africa 2022.

1.7. (...) the COVID-19 Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (...) was complemented by grants and/or tax relief to businesses. As a result, the government debt to GDP ratio rose between 2020 and 2022 (Table 1.2), leaving limited fiscal space to respond to other adverse shocks (e.g. SOEs contingent liabilities, social spending needs, and climate events).

Table 1.2 National government finances, 2014-22
(% of GDP)
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Fuel levy[a]: (2014) 1.1, (2015) 1.2, (2016) 1.3, (2017) 1.4, (2018) 1.4, (2019) 1.4, (2020) 1.4,(2021) 1.4,(2022) 1.2,
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[ä] From April 2014, levies on imported fuel have been moved to fuel levy. From June 2019, carbon fuel levy has been added to the fuel levy.

2.9. (...)The RIS[the Re-imagined Industrial Strategy] has a subprogramme on industrial competitiveness, as well as customized sector-specific programmes/master plans. (...) Others are being implemented by different government departments, and include master plans on forestry, agriculture, and agro-processing; the digital economy; the oceans economy; tourism; renewable energy; and the health economy.

2.17. India, Brazil, and South Africa (IBSA) participate in a trilateral forum for, inter alia, consultation and coordination on international and regional political issues, consultations on WTO-related issues, climate change policies, and security collaboration. (...)

2.19. Foreign companies investing in South Africa must apply the laws applicable to all companies operating in the country, as well as sector-specific legislation. (...) Companies must also apply other generally applicable laws, such as those relating to labour, corporate governance, competition, consumer protection, intellectual property, and the environment. (...)

3.8. Tariffs, excise duties, and most rebates and drawbacks are harmonized within SACU (Main Report, Section 3), while VAT and other taxes/levies are not. South Africa imposes levies on both imported and domestically produced goods. These include:
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• Environmental levies on plastic carriers and flat bags, electrical filament lamps, tyres, carbon dioxide emissions of motor vehicles, and a carbon tax (Section 1.1);
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3.14. A Border Management Authority (BMA) was established on 1 April 2023. The BMA is in charge of certain functions transferred from the Department of Home Affairs; the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development; the Department of Health; and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. These functions relate to immigration, health, agriculture (SPS), environmental, and access control at the 72 ports of entry in South Africa.

3.17. The notifications indicated that South Africa's import licensing regime was complying with international agreements; health, environmental, and safety requirements; and public interest. Applications for import licences are considered mainly by the Import and Export Control Directorate of the ITAC [the International Trade Administration Commission ], or:
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• The Department of Environment Affairs in terms of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer;
• The Department of Energy for fossil fuels;
• The Department of Health (Radiation Control) for radioactive chemical elements and isotopes; and
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