The first thing to do in order to access the market under the EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) is to have your business duly recognised and allowed to operate. The steps to achieve this may vary from country to country but in general they include:

1. Registration with the registrar of companies

2. Licensing of intended business operations

3. Registration for purposes of collecting and returning tax

4. Certifying that the business has met its tax obligations

5. Optionally becoming an authorised economic operator

Once a business is duly approved by the registrar of companies, revenue services and other business facilitation agencies, it can export or import goods and services. The steps for exporting goods and services may vary from country to country but in general they include:

1. Ensuring that the goods/services meet the EU technical and regulatory requirements

2. Obtaining a buyer in the EU market

3. Obtaining an Export Permit

4. Making shipping arrangements for goods

5. Providing clearing documents that the buyer can present when the goods reach the EU

Steps for importing goods may also vary from country to country but in general they include:

1. Identifying a seller of the required goods or services in the EU market

2. Ensuring that the goods/services meet the local technical and regulatory requirements

3. Obtaining an Import Permit

4. Placing an order

5. Presenting clearing documents when goods arrive in the SADC EPA region