AGOA Status
South Africa is eligible for AGOA this year. It also qualifies for textile and apparel benefits.
Trade Agreements
The U.S. and South Africa signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) in 2012, which amends the United States-South Africa TIFA originally signed in 1999.
In addition, the U.S. and the Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU), which includes South Africa, signed a Trade, Investment, and Development Cooperative Agreement (TIDCA) in 2008. The TIDCA establishes a forum for consultative discussions, cooperative work, and possible agreements on a wide range of trade issues, with a special focus on customs and trade facilitation, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, and trade and investment promotion.
South Africa Trade Summary
U.S. goods and services trade with South Africa totaled an estimated $26.2 billion in 2024, down 0.6 percent ($160.8 million) from 2023.
U.S. total goods trade (exports plus imports) with South Africa was an estimated $20.5 billion in 2024. U.S. goods exports to South Africa in 2024 were $5.8 billion, down 18.2 percent ($1.3 billion) from 2023. U.S. goods imports from South Africa in 2024 totaled $14.7 billion, up 5.1 percent ($715.6 million) from 2023. The U.S. goods trade deficit with South Africa was $8.9 billion in 2024, a 29.3 percent increase ($2.0 billion) over 2023.
U.S. total services trade (exports plus imports) with South Africa totaled an estimated $5.7 billion in 2024. U.S. services exports to South Africa in 2024 were $3.5 billion, up 7.9 percent ($261 million) from 2023. U.S. services imports from South Africa in 2024 were $2.1 billion, up 8.0 percent ($158 million) from 2023. The U.S. services trade surplus with South Africa was $1.4 billion in 2024, a 7.9 percent increase ($104 million) over 2023.
