Quick info guide

Important to note:

  • Few goods are subject to export controls in Eswatini. The National Agricultural Marketing Board also enforces the export controls. The Eswatini Revenue Authority also issues the Certificate of Origin.
  • Exporters are required to apply for the appropriate Certificate of Origin (CoO) for each export consignment.
  • A Certificate of Origin is required by the country of destination or when the export is being conducted under a scheme of preferential tariffs.

The following are the Certificates of Origin (CoO) that are required:

EUR1 Movement Certificate – for goods being exported to the European Union countries.

EUR1 Movement Certificate – for goods traded under SACU-EFTA

GSP (Generalised System of Preferences) Certificate Form A – for export to countries that offer tariff preferences

COMESA Certificate of origin for export to countries which have rectified the COMESA Free Trade Area Agreement

SADC Certificate of Origin for export to countries which have ratified the SADC Protocol on Trade 

AGOA – for products of textile and apparel industry if exported into USA

Taiwan Certificate of Origin

Contact info:

Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA)
First Floor, Sibekelo Building
Mhlambanyatsi Road
Mbabane

Tel: (+268) 2404 0470/4
Fax: (+268) 2404 3374
Email: enquiries@sipa.org.sz
Website: www.sipa.org.sz

Export Information for women entrepreneurs in Eswatini

Eswatini is small landlocked economy which is heavily reliant on export and import earnings. It has been reliant on a small range of essentially primary products. The export sector is identified as an important driver for economic growth and development. The National Development Strategy (NDS) and Strategic Road Map 2019-2023 identify the Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) as the engine for economic growth and the export sector as the main means of ensuring a self-sustaining economy.

Eswatini exports are predominantly agricultural products in their primary form without any value addition. Under the Ministry of Agriculture, National Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBOARD) is tasked with the responsibility to regulate the export of scheduled agricultural products. NAMBOARD has an Inspectorate Unit which implements all statutory measures related to export of scheduled agricultural products. Applying the NAMBOARD Act 1982, this Unit is responsible for registration of traders, distributors and wholesalers, issuance of export and transit permits and monitoring the trade or movement of scheduled agricultural products within the country and across borders.

The exporter must be registered as a business entity with the Eswatini Revenue Authority (ERA). It will be issued with a Tax Identification Number (TIN). The ERA is responsible for the collection of taxes, customs and excise duty on all goods which come into the country.

IMPORTANT TIPS FOR EXPORTERS

  • You must have in-depth information about doing business in that country, its political, economic and social conditions, the leading market players, the key trade support institutions, trade agreements if any, and information about travel & logistics.
  • To assist emaSwati exporters get detailed information on emerging market(s)and other market(s) of your interest, EIPA offers a multi-level market research service to help exporters and potential exporters, including SMEs to better prepare their market entry strategy.
  • Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) hosts the International Trade Fair during with the exporters exhibit their products and EIPA also hosts training workshops on export readiness.
  • EIPA organizes a series of trade events and trade missions for the benefit of emSwati exporters to promote their products and services to targeted buyers in the region and the world over.