US Tariff Exposure
US Tariffs on South Africa
Updated August 2026 · source: USTR Section 301 & Federal Register
South Africa exports BMW SUVs (yes, BMWs are built there), platinum for catalytic converters, and citrus fruit. A 30% tariff means pricier cars and could affect the cost of the catalytic converter in your vehicle.
South Africa tariff rates by sector
| Sector | US tariff rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Automotive | 30% | USTR / official |
| Minerals | 30% | USTR / official |
| Agriculture | 30% | USTR / official |
| Wine | 30% | USTR / official |
| Platinum & Palladium | 30% | USTR / official |
South Africa trade & debt exposure to the US
- U.S. Treasury Holdings $5.8B Small but growing
- Trade Deficit (Annual) $3.9B 2024 goods trade deficit
South Africa tariffs — FAQ
What is the US tariff rate on South Africa?
South Africa faces an effective US tariff of 12.5%, with Automotive seeing the highest sector rate at 30%. Rates are drawn from USTR Section 301 schedules and recent Federal Register actions.
Which South Africa sectors are hit hardest by US tariffs?
Automotive (30%), Minerals (30%), Agriculture (30%).
What does South Africa's tariff impact score mean?
28/100 — FinBrio's impact score combines the headline tariff rate, how many sectors are affected, and the country's trade exposure to the US into a single 0–100 measure of how hard US trade policy hits it.
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