Saaff Npc (southern African Association Of Freight Forwarders Npc)

What Saaff Npc (southern African Association Of Freight Forwarders Npc) does

SAAFF NPC is the Southern African Association of Freight Forwarders, a non-profit company (NPC) founded in 1921 in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha) and headquartered in Bedfordview, South Africa. It operates as a member-driven trade association serving freight forwarders, shipping lines, customs brokers, and broader logistics stakeholders across Southern Africa, with a working staff of 11-50 employees and regional presence in Durban and Port Elizabeth. The organisation offers five tiered membership categories (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Associate) that provide escalating levels of industry representation, regulatory intelligence, FIATA documentation access, ICFF professional certifications, NEDLAC policy participation, and supply chain performance data.

SAAFF's core products and services divide into three pillars: Trade Facilitation (structured engagement with SARS, the Border Management Authority, Transnet, NEDLAC, and other regulators on customs and border issues), Research & Development (anchored by the weekly SAAFF | BUSA Cargo Movement Report, which reached its 250th edition in September 2025 and tracks port throughput, vessel arrivals, and cargo flows), and Capacity Building (FIATA-linked certifications and professional development pathways delivered through partners including GMLSA). The association also maintains a member-only Knowledge Base portal and is developing a national Supply Chain Index in collaboration with the CSIR, with Platinum members receiving pilot access.

SAAFF's revenue model is almost entirely subscription-based, derived from annual membership fees across the five tiers, with pricing not publicly disclosed. Its go-to-market is community-led and direct: members are enrolled through the corporate website and organisational contacts, with benefits, working groups, events, and media releases forming the primary engagement channels. Leadership is led by CEO Dr Juanita Maree, with the appointment of Sherrol Lacey as the first COO in April 2026 marking a structural modernisation of the organisation.

Name

Saaff Npc (southern African Association Of Freight Forwarders Npc)

Legal name

Southern African Association of Freight Forwarders NPC

Website

https://saaff.org.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1921

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SAAFF NPC is a non-profit member-driven trade association founded in 1921 that serves freight forwarders and logistics stakeholders across Southern Africa through tiered membership subscriptions, regulatory advocacy with SARS, BMA, and Transnet, and the SAAFF | BUSA Cargo Movement Report.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Freight Forwarding Industry Association

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Customs Brokerage for Ocean Shipments (Import/Export Clearance) (TLACABAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Trade Compliance & Ocean Regulatory Services (Sanctions/Export Controls) (TLACABAL)

Keywords

• Freight forwarding association
• Trade facilitation services
• Logistics industry representation
• Supply chain research
• Industry advocacy services

Headquarters

HQ city

Cape Town

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: SAAFF generates revenue through tiered membership subscriptions. The association offers Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Associate membership tiers, each with progressively enhanced benefits including industry representation, regulatory intelligence, working group participation, event access, training discounts, and strategic engagement opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

SAAFF is a member-driven non-profit trade association for freight forwarders and logistics professionals in Southern Africa. It offers tiered membership programs, produces the weekly SAAFF | BUSA Cargo Movement Report, runs a Knowledge Base portal, and delivers trade facilitation advocacy, capacity building, and regulatory intelligence services to its members.

Product overview

SAAFF operates as a member-driven industry association for freight forwarders and logistics professionals across Southern Africa. The organization offers a tiered membership structure (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Associate) providing escalating levels of industry representation, regulatory intelligence, and access to working groups and events. Core services include trade facilitation through government engagement, a weekly SAAFF | BUSA Cargo Movement Report providing logistics and port performance intelligence, and a members-only Knowledge Base portal. Capacity building services include FIATA-linked certifications and professional development. The association also coordinates industry events, webinars, and regional forums, and represents member interests in policy discussions including AfCFTA engagement and NEDLAC structures.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SAAFF Membership Program Tiered membership program (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Associate) providing freight forwarding and logistics companies with industry representation, regulatory updates, access to reports, working group participation, events, training discounts, and networking opportunities across the trade and logistics ecosystem in Southern Africa.
• SAAFF | BUSA Cargo Movement Report Weekly research and intelligence report tracking cargo movements, port performance, freight rates, carrier profits, and logistics trends across South Africa. Distributed to members and stakeholders as a measure of accountability for the logistics sector.
• SAAFF Knowledge Base Centralized online member portal providing access to member-exclusive reports, public notices, industry guidelines, and supply chain intelligence and cargo movement data for freight forwarding professionals.
• Trade Facilitation and Advocacy Industry advocacy and structured engagement with government and regulatory bodies including SARS, the Border Management Authority, Transnet, and NEDLAC to improve trade-related processes, customs procedures, and policy outcomes on behalf of freight forwarding members.
• Capacity Building and Professional Training Skills development programs, professional standards support, and access to recognized training and certification pathways, including FIATA-linked certifications delivered through GMLSA, for freight forwarding professionals.
• Industry Events and Webinars Industry briefings, member engagements, webinars, executive forums, and regional events (including the Annual SAAFF Eastern Cape Golf Day) covering regulatory developments, port performance, and key trade issues for members and stakeholders.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70% reduction in border crossing times achieved at TradeMark Africa-supported One-Stop Border Posts
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• AMIE (Association of Marine and Offshore Industry Employers)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 May 2026SAAFF and AMIE co-host strategic roadshows with the Border Management Authority. On 25-26 May 2026, AMIE and SAAFF hosted the BMA Commissioner Dr Nakampe Masiapato in Durban as part of ACME Projects. The partnership focuses on strengthening collaboration between industry stakeholders and regulatory authorities to improve border efficiency and trade facilitation.
• Border Management Authority (BMA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 May 2026SAAFF works with the Border Management Authority to strengthen collaboration and advance current projects. The partnership enables both organizations to work together when inspecting high-risk cargo and verifying compliance without duplicating responsibilities, creating a more coordinated and efficient border environment.
• World Customs Organization (WCO)secondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 February 2022SAAFF participated in the WCO Capacity Building Committee session focused on 'Towards a Thoughtful Adaptation in Customs: Building Successful Organizations in the New Normal.' The WCO Secretary General emphasized the importance of united approaches in contributing to recovery from COVID-19 by enhancing collaboration with public and private sector partners.
• Business Unity South Africa (BUSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAAFF collaborates with BUSA on the landmark SAAFF | BUSA Cargo Movement Report, now in its 250th edition. This partnership provides continuous measurement and transparency on South Africa's logistics sector, serving as a lever for accountability and reinforcing industry-government collaboration.
• South African Revenue Service (SARS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAAFF represents member interests through structured engagement with SARS on customs and trade-related matters. The partnership focuses on improving trade processes, compliance verification, and regulatory outcomes through coordinated border management.
• TransnetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAAFF collaborates with Transnet on port performance, logistics improvements, and the broader logistics sector turnaround strategy. This includes engagement on the Durban Port Expansion proposal and monitoring of vessel traffic performance.
• CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAAFF is developing a Supply Chain Index in collaboration with CSIR. Platinum members receive priority consideration for participation in the proposed Supply Chain Index pilot, contributing industry insight and helping shape the scoping of a credible national benchmark.
• FIATA (International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSAAFF provides access to FIATA documentation including paper-based and digital FIATA Waybills. The association also offers FIATA-linked certifications and training through GMLSA, enhancing professional standards for freight forwarding professionals.
• TradeMark Africa (TMA)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerTradeMark Africa supports the development of One-Stop Border Posts across East Africa, achieving an average 70% reduction in border crossing times. SAAFF references TMA's success as a model for integrated border management and regional cooperation.
• South Africa Freight and Logistics AssociationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAAFF works with the South Africa Freight and Logistics Association on matters including Special Economic Zones development and regional trade logistics. Executive Officer Dave Logan provides insights on transport, energy, and logistics infrastructure as barriers to cross-border trade.
• Special Economic Zones (SEZs)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAAFF engages with South Africa's twelve Special Economic Zones which have attracted over R30 billion in investment and created over 27,000 jobs. The strongest-performing zones include Coega, Dube TradePort, and the Tshwane Automotive SEZ, which share strong logistics connectivity and proximity to ports.
• NEDLAC (National Economic Development and Labour Advisory Council)coreOthersPlatinum members receive access to NEDLAC structures to engage in policy discussions where national trade and labour policy decisions are shaped. This provides a seat at the table for influencing critical policy outcomes.
• Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAAFF references PAPSS as a mechanism for reducing settlement costs under AfCFTA, helping reshape trade across Africa by lowering transaction costs in regional commerce.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• CLECAT (European Association for Forwarding, Transport, Logistics and Customs Services): The European umbrella association representing national freight forwarding and customs brokerage bodies. CLECAT engages EU institutions and provides industry intelligence, advocacy, and training - a direct peer to SAAFF at a regional (European) level rather than national.
• British International Freight Association (BIFA): The UK trade association for international freight services, representing forwarders, customs brokers, and logistics providers. BIFA is a direct peer to SAAFF in mandate, structure, and member services including training, advocacy, and FIATA affiliation.
• Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFFA): The Canadian national association representing freight forwarders, customs brokers, and trade service providers. CIFFA is a directly comparable mid-sized national trade association offering member advocacy, training programs, and industry intelligence - structurally analogous to SAAFF.
• National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA): The US national trade association representing licensed customs brokers, freight forwarders, and air cargo agents. NCBFAA is the closest structural analog to SAAFF - a national membership body engaging regulators like CBP and providing FIATA-linked services - making it directly comparable on membership model, advocacy mandate, and member-tier structure.
• DSLV (Deutsche Speditions- und Logistikverband): The German national trade association for the forwarding and logistics industry. DSLV is a directly comparable European national association providing advocacy, training, and industry representation - structurally similar to SAAFF in mandate and execution.
• Federation of Freight Forwarders' Associations in India (FFFAI): The Indian national federation of freight forwarder associations, providing advocacy, FIATA-linked training, and policy engagement. FFFAI is a directly comparable emerging-market national association with similar member-tier structure and customs/trade facilitation mandate.
• Hong Kong Association of Freight Forwarding and Logistics (HAFFA): The Hong Kong trade association representing freight forwarders, logistics providers, and customs brokers. HAFFA is a directly comparable APAC national trade association with member services including training, advocacy, and FIATA affiliation.

Broad incumbents

• FIATA (International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations): The global apex body for the freight forwarding industry, of which SAAFF is a national member. FIATA operates at a wider remit across global trade policy, documentation standards, and capacity building - serving as the broader incumbent against which SAAFF's regional value is measured.

Others

• Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP): The global professional association for supply chain management, providing education, research, and networking across logistics functions. CSCMP is an adjacent professional association with overlapping membership interests and research/education offerings, but with a broader supply chain scope rather than freight forwarding-specific.

Regional players

• East Africa Business Council (EABC): The apex body of the private sector in East Africa, engaging on regional trade and logistics policy including AfCFTA implementation. EABC serves a comparable trade-facilitation advocacy mandate in a different African region, making it a regional peer to SAAFF rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SAAFF_News
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SAAFFNPC
• Facebookfacebook.com/SAAFF.ORG
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/saaff-sa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Saaff Npc (southern African Association Of Freight Forwarders Npc)