From the wholesale malls of Johannesburg to shops, factories and trading companies across the country, Chinese entrepreneurs have done business in South Africa for decades. Getting started usually means sorting a visa, registering a company, opening a business bank account and registering for tax; importers also have customs and duties to deal with. This section follows the order most people take these steps in and flags where Chinese business owners most often run into trouble.
Start here
- Registering a company with CIPC: steps, documents and fees for a private company.
- B-BBEE explained: how empowerment ratings affect tenders, licences and winning clients.
- Importing from China: customs clearance, duties, importer registration and shipping options.
Key things to know
- Companies are registered online. Registration is handled by the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC); the most common form is the private company (Pty Ltd).
- A company is not a visa. Owning a South African company does not give you the right to work here; foreign shareholders still need a suitable visa.
- B-BBEE affects your opportunities. Government and large corporate customers often ask for your B-BBEE rating, so understand the policy early.
- The VAT threshold has gone up. From 1 April 2026, registration is compulsory once taxable turnover exceeds R2.3 million in 12 months. The VAT rate is still 15% (as of October 2026).
- Importers must register with customs. Commercial importers generally register with SARS Customs and must declare the true value of goods; under-declaring is a serious risk.
Related sections
For company tax returns, see Tax & accounting. For business accounts and paying suppliers in China, see Banking & money.
