On June 7, 2025, the U.S.’ President Donald Trump confirmed the August 1 tariff deadline for imports from South Africa, including for well-performing wine.
SA was one of 21 nations that got new tariff letters from the White House between July 7 and 9. Select other recipients included the Philippines, Brunei, Algeria, Libya, Iraq, Japan, South Korea and Sri Lanka.
After unsuccessful talks in Washington D.C. on May 21, 2025, SA’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has been offering hope by citing tariff “misinformation.”
Be it as it may, the surtax will override the duty-free privileges of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
AGOA will not prevent the application of 30% duty on mainly agricultural exports to the U.S. nor the 25% on vehicles.
SA’s Wine in the U.S.
Like the much-covered citrus, wine trade could prove almost impossible when the U.S. ups the import duty from 25% to 30%.
Although the American market commands premium import prices for especially sparkling wine, duty could diminish shipment volumes there.
The United States has largely remained a top 4 importer of South Africa’s packaged wine at 8,717,265 liters, as of 2023.
According to the Wines of South Africa (WOSA), the U.S. is also a top 9 bulk wine importer, principally for white types.
If the 30% tariff goes down, it will deface the remarkable export value of $562 million that the sector earned in 2024. For more bits on Cape wine, especially in the American market, go through the below statistics.
South Africa Wine Industry and Tariff Statistics
With an annual production of 930,000 kiloliters, as of 2023, South Africa is the wine capital of Africa. As a top ten global leader, SA’s wine production last peaked at 1,133,300 kiloliters (kl) in 2021. Exports drive much of the industry’s revenue, and hit $562 million in 2024 after a 4% annual growth, according to the South Africa Wine. Were it not for high tariff fixtures in some destinations, the country would enjoy an overall vibrant international market. The United States, for instance, promised 30% tariffs on imports beginning August 1, 2025.
Which are the top wine destinations for South Africa ?
Key markets include the UK, Germany, Belgium, France, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands and the U.S. in descending order of bulk wine imports. In 2022, total bulk wine imports from South Africa into the U.S. were at 25,503 kl while in 2023 they halved to 12,356 kl. This according to the Wines of South Africa (WOSA).
How does the U.S. import wine from South Africa?
Like most other foreign markets, the United States imports either bulk or packaged wine from SA. Below is is a breakdown of total import volumes of either form in 2022 and 2023, interpreted from WOSA:
| Year | Bulk Wine from SA to USA [kiloliters] | Packaged Wine from SA to USA [kiloliters] |
| 2023 | 12,150.013 | 7,519.213 |
| 2022 | 25,503.285 | 8,717.265 |