Southern African Customs Union (SACU)

The Southern African Customs Union (SACU) is the oldest Customs Union in the world and has existed in some form since 1910. SACU in its present form came into existence on 11 December 1969 with the signature of the Customs Union Agreement between South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland. It entered into force on the 1st of March 1970, thereby replacing the Customs Union Agreement of 1910. It was renegotiated in 1994 and 2002. Namibia was a part of the agreement as a colony of South Africa and rejoined it as a full fledged member upon its independence.

SACU revenue constitutes a substantial share of the state revenue of the BLNS (Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland) countries.

 

Products imported into South Africa can therefore circulate freely within these 4 countries.