South African authorities are stepping up efforts to stop unsafe, counterfeit and non-compliant products from entering the country as cross-border online shopping continues to grow.
The National Consumer Commission (NCC) and the Border Management Authority (BMA) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening border enforcement, improving information sharing and increasing inspections of goods entering South Africa through commercial ports, courier services and postal networks.
The agreement reflects growing concern over the rapid rise in international e-commerce purchases, with officials warning that many imported products may fail to meet South African safety, health and consumer protection standards.
The initiative is expected to focus particularly on goods purchased from overseas online retailers as well as parcels transported through international courier and postal services.
Cross-border e-commerce under greater scrutiny
The NCC said one of its primary concerns is the increasing number of imported products arriving through global e-commerce platforms, where consumers often have limited legal protection if products fail to match their descriptions or quality expectations.
Online retailers such as Temu and Shein have become increasingly popular among South African shoppers because of their wide product selection and significantly lower prices compared with many local retailers.
While these platforms have expanded consumer choice, authorities say they have also generated a growing number of complaints involving misleading advertising, fraudulent transactions and products that do not comply with South African regulations.
Unlike domestic retailers, many overseas sellers operate outside South Africa’s regulatory framework, making disputes over refunds, warranties and product quality more difficult to resolve.
The NCC stressed that even if products are legally sold in another country, they must still comply with South African laws before they can be legally imported and sold locally.
The partnership will therefore prioritise joint inspections, intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement operations aimed at intercepting unsafe or illegal products before they reach consumers.
Counterfeit goods and illicit trade remain a major concern
Beyond online shopping, authorities will also intensify inspections of high-risk imported goods moving through South Africa’s commercial ports.
Products expected to receive increased attention include medicines, tobacco products, food items and counterfeit consumer goods that may pose risks to public health or violate national regulations.
According to the BMA, officials will work closely with the NCC to verify product labels, barcodes and authentication features to determine whether imported goods are legitimate, safe and compliant with South African standards.
The agencies believe stronger cooperation will improve integrated border management while helping protect both consumers and the wider economy.
Concerns over illicit trade extend well beyond consumer protection.
Economist Frans Cronje, in his recent report Shadow State Rising, argued that smuggling networks dealing in counterfeit products and illegal cigarettes form a significant part of South Africa’s illicit economy.
The report estimates that illegal tobacco products alone cost the South African economy more than R33 billion every year through lost tax revenue and illegal trade.
Cronje said strengthening border controls, improving port security and enhancing cooperation between government agencies would be among the most effective ways to reduce these economic losses and curb the growth of illicit markets.
The NCC believes its new partnership with the BMA marks an important step towards preventing unsafe, counterfeit and illegal products from reaching South African consumers while improving confidence in the country’s import enforcement system.
Source: National Consumer Commission, Border Management Authority