Import duty report reveals mounting inefficiencies hurting SA’s trade system.

Loading player...
GUEST – Donald MacKay, CEO of XA Global Trade Advisors



XA Global Trade Advisors has released its seventh Import Duty Investigation Report, highlighting mounting inefficiencies in South Africa’s tariff system, growing backlogs, and the rise of so-called “zombie tariffs” that linger for years without resolution.



The report reveals that tariff investigations meant to conclude within four to six months are now taking an average of 27 months, with some cases unresolved for as long as 64 months. Alarmingly, 93.6% of tariff codes carrying duties have not been reviewed in over 20 years, resulting in outdated protections that stifle competitiveness and increase costs for businesses and consumers.
23 Sep 2025 4PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

Survey reveals that 95% of parents face financial strain during back-to-school season.

GUEST – Hayley Parry, Money Coach and Facilitator at 1Life’s Truth About Money As families prepare for the 2026 academic year, 1Life Insurance’s annual Back-to-School Survey reveals that stress and financial pressures remain a major concern for parents, despite encouraging signs of progress in budgeting. An overwhelming 95% of respondents…
12 Jan 2PM 11 min

Understanding Venezuela’s economy: where and how things fell apart.

GUEST – Prof. Adrian Saville, Gordon Institute of Business Science Venezuela sits on one of the world’s largest oil reserves, yet its economy resembles that of a country emerging from war. In this interview, Prof. Adrian Saville unpacks how decades of oil dependence, policy missteps, corruption, sanctions and institutional collapse…
12 Jan 2PM 16 min

Rand performance: Will the strength hold in 2026?

GUEST – Andre Cillier, Currency Strategist at TreasuryONE The rand has delivered one of its strongest performances in years, rallying around 13% against the US dollar to trade near R16.50 even as South Africa’s domestic economy shows clear signs of strain. In this interview, currency strategist Andre Cillier unpacks the…
12 Jan 2PM 13 min