New EU Export Quota Rules for 2026: What You Need to Know

In early 2026, the Department of Agriculture published updated regulations in the Government Gazette that significantly change how EU export quotas are allocated for South African exporters. These changes affect key sectors such as wine, fruit, and sugar, and introduce a major new principle:

B-BBEE status now carries equal weight to export history. In practice, this means transformation and empowerment are no longer “nice to have” they are now decisive factors in whether your business will be allowed to export to the European Union.

1. How Export Quotas Are Now Allocated (2026)

Export permits are no longer based purely on historical export volumes. Instead, the Department now uses a formula that considers five core factors:

1. Your B-BBEE status (aligned with the AgriBEE Codes)

2. Your export volumes over the past three years

3. The quantity you apply for

4. The number of total applicants

5. The total quota available

Why this matters:

A strong B-BBEE level can now compensate for limited export history. This is a fundamental shift in policy and creates real opportunities for:

1. Black-owned businesses

2. Emerging exporters

3. Smaller companies entering EU markets for the first time

In short: transformation is now a strategic advantage, not just a compliance exercise.

2. How to Apply for an Export Permit

When to apply:

Applications must be submitted within four weeks of the official Government Gazette notice being published.

What you need to submit:

You will need the following documents:

1. A completed export permit application form

2. A valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit

3. A valid SARS Tax Clearance Certificate

4. A list of export bills of entry for the past three years

Where to submit:

Most exporters must submit applications to:

Registry Officer, Management Support, Department of Agriculture, Sefala Building, Pretoria

Wine exporters:

Applications must be submitted via the Wine Online System.

3. B-BBEE Requirements by Business Size

Your compliance requirements depend on your annual turnover.

EMEs – Exempted Micro Enterprises (Turnover under R10 million)

1. Only a sworn affidavit required

2. Automatically qualify as Level 4 or better (depending on black ownership)

QSEs – Qualifying Small Enterprises (Turnover R10m – R50m)

1. 51%+ black-owned: Sworn affidavit is sufficient

2. Less than 51% black-owned: Must submit a SANAS-accredited certificate

Large Enterprises (Turnover over R50 million)

1. Must submit a full SANAS-accredited B-BBEE certificate

4. Important Conditions for 2026:

(There are several operational rules exporters should be aware of)

Provisional allocations

Initial quotas may be adjusted during the year if exporters fail to use their allocated volumes.

Permit validity

All 2026 export permits are valid from:

1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026

Expired permits

If expired permits are not returned within 30 days, your company may be disqualified from future allocations.

First-come-first-served products

Some products are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis via SARS Customs, meaning speed and readiness matter.

The Bottom Line

If your business wants access to EU export markets in 2026, your B-BBEE status is now just as important as your export track record. For the first time, strong transformation credentials can genuinely unlock opportunities that were previously reserved for large, established exporters.

This policy shift signals a clear message from government:

Economic transformation is no longer separate from international trade, it is now built into it.