Small business & global shipping advice from DHL Express

For e-commerce businesses in South Africa, the fourth quarter isn’t just the busiest, it’s the quarter that can define your growth trajectory. With online retail sales expected to surpass R130 billion (around $7.4 billion) in 2025 and digital shopping now accounting for nearly 10% of total retail spend, customers demand fast service, clear pricing, and a seamless shopping experience like never before.

South African exporters know the pressure of racing against time. Whether it’s getting fresh Karoo fruit onto shelves overseas, turning a Cape Town design into a shipped sample, or keeping stock flowing for an online retailer during peak season, timing is everything.

For South African businesses with their sights set on international growth, ESG ( Environmental, Social, and Governance ) is no longer just industry jargon or a box to tick. It’s fast becoming a strategic advantage that opens doors in demanding global markets.

For years, South African businesses especially e-commerce entrepreneurs and SMEs have enjoyed a vital edge thanks to the de minimis rule. This allowance let low-value parcels (once capped at R500, now higher) enter the country without duties or taxes, making it easier and more cost-effective to import small, high-margin items from markets like China and the US.