If you’ve searched “types of export permit” in South Africa, you’ve probably realised it’s not as simple as finding one form and submitting it. That’s because “export permit” is a general term people use for different approvals, and the type you need depends on what you’re exporting, where it’s going, and whether the goods fall into a controlled category.
In many cases, exporters won’t need a special permit at all. But when a permit is required, the authority and the paperwork can change depending on the product — which is why so many people only discover they’re missing something when customs asks for it.
In this article, we’ll break the permit landscape down in plain English: the most common export permit categories you’ll come across in South Africa, who typically issues them, and the quickest way to work out which one applies to your shipment before you export.
First: exporter registration vs export permits (quick clarity)
A lot of people mix these up.
- Exporter registration (setup) is about being properly registered to trade/export through customs processes.
- An export permit (permission) is an extra approval that’s required only for certain controlled goods, and often for specific shipments, destinations, or time windows.
Gov.za’s exporter service page makes the purpose clear: export permits are there to ensure exports comply with international agreements and to control strategic/sensitive goods.
The main types of export permits you’ll see in South Africa
1) ITAC export permits (Import & Export Control)
This is the “big one” for many controlled trade categories. ITAC’s Export Control page is where they explain how export permits are applied for and processed, and they call out different turnaround times depending on the category (scrap metal is treated differently).
Common ITAC-controlled export permit categories include:
- Ferrous and non-ferrous metals waste/scrap (a major focus area in export controls)
- Tariff headings that SARS flags as requiring an ITAC export permit (SARS publishes updates that list specific headings)
If you’re exporting anything in these “watch list” areas, ITAC is usually the first place to check.
Turnaround time note: ITAC says the average processing time is two working days, except scrap metal export permits, which take 10 working days for circulation, plus processing/issuing time.
2) Non-proliferation / strategic-item permits (dtic / NPC)
Some exports fall into “sensitive / strategic / dual-use” control regimes. In South Africa, the dtic non-proliferation framework describes different permit structures such as Individual Export/Import permits and Open Multiple permits, with specific conditions and validity periods.
One helpful way to think about this “type” is: it’s designed for situations where permits are tied to exact items, end-users/destinations, and compliance conditions, and the permits can be time-bound. For example, dtic non-proliferation guidance lists a three-month validity for certain permits, and their FAQ notes validity can vary (e.g., 3 months, 12 months, 2 years) depending on the permit type.
(For most everyday exports, you won’t touch this category — but it’s important to know it exists so you don’t assume ITAC is the only authority.)
3) Environmental/sector permits (example: fisheries / protected resources)
Some exports are regulated through sector departments depending on the product type. A practical example: DFFE publishes guidance around import/export permitting processes in the fisheries space, and even where ITAC notification is referenced, the broader point stands — certain product categories have their own compliance gatekeepers.
This “type” matters when your goods fall under environmental/resource controls, where permits are typically tied to sustainability, quotas, protected species, or product-specific rules.
How to know which export permit type you need (without guessing)
Step 1: Start with the product’s tariff heading (HS code)
This is the fastest way to avoid confusion. SARS regularly publishes updates for prohibited and restricted imports/exports, including lists of tariff headings that require ITAC export permits (and sometimes headings that no longer require them).
If your tariff heading appears on those lists, you already know you’re not dealing with a “normal export” — you’re dealing with a controlled category.
Step 2: Check the authority that controls that category
- If it’s trade-control related (scrap metals / listed headings / controlled categories), you’re usually in ITAC Export Control territory.
- If it’s strategic/sensitive/dual-use controls, the dtic non-proliferation route may apply.
- If it’s a regulated natural resource/environmental category, check the relevant sector department guidance (e.g., DFFE-type regimes).
Step 3: Treat permits as “shipment-sensitive”
Even when you have the right permit type, the permit itself can have conditions tied to the consignee/destination and may not be transferable. For example, an ITAC scrap metal export control notice includes restrictions around the declared consignee/destination and how the permit may be used.
FAQs that matter for clients (and tend to trigger delays)
Do I need an export permit for every export?
Only if your goods fall under a controlled category. For many goods, you won’t need an export permit at all — but if you do, the permit is usually specific to the controlled category, and sometimes specific to shipment conditions.
How long are export permits valid?
There isn’t one universal answer. Validity depends on the permit regime:
- Some dtic non-proliferation permits have a stated three-month validity, and their FAQ notes validity can vary by permit type.
- Other permit regimes have their own validity rules, and you should always treat the permit document itself as the source of truth for expiry.
How long does it take?
ITAC’s Export Control page gives a useful baseline: two working days on average, but scrap metal export permits have longer circulation timelines.
The practical “Brendmo” way to handle this
If you’re exporting anything that might be controlled, the mistake is trying to start with “Which form do I fill in?” The better starting point is:
Confirm the exact product and its tariff heading,
Check whether SARS lists it under restricted exports / headings requiring permits,
Confirm which authority applies (ITAC vs another regime),
Then submit the right permit application with the correct supporting pack.
That’s also the cleanest way to avoid delays, rejected applications, or last-minute customs queries.
