SADC is guided by the Protocol on Trade and the provision of the SADC Free Trade Area (FTA) in facilitating trade. This is complemented by a number of Transport and Border Management rules and regulations in order to facilitate Free Movement of Goods to cover both large companies, SMEs and cross-border traders. A simplified trade regime is being worked on. These instruments are aimed at:
- Elimination of Import Duties (Customs Duties/Tariffs) based on agreed tariff structures.
- Elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers as they emerge. A reporting system exist.
- Improving and harmonisation of Customs procedures covering the following:
Border Management, Rules of Origins, Customs valuation, Transit documents, Technical Barriers to Trade, Sanitary and Phytosanitory Measures (SPS), Anti-Dumping Measures, and Safeguards measures.
