Can I trade anywhere once I have the permit?

No. The permit is tied to a designated bay or trading area, and trading near school gates, intersections or building entrances is usually prohibited.

What happens if I trade without a permit?

Officials can issue a fine and impound your goods. You normally pay a release fee plus storage to get stock back.

Do foreign nationals qualify?

Yes, if your visa or permit status allows you to work or run a business in South Africa. Asylum seeker and refugee documentation is generally accepted.

Business & Trading

Hawker's Permit in South Africa

In plain English

A hawker's or informal trader's permit lets you sell goods or food from a stall, table or vehicle on a street, pavement or designated trading area. Trading without one where a by-law requires it can lead to confiscation of your stock and a fine.

View requirements Visit official website

Who needs this permit

Street vendors, spaza-style mobile traders, food sellers at taxi ranks and stations, and anyone selling goods in a public place in a town or city with an informal trading by-law — which is nearly all of them.

When is it required

Before your first day of trading on public land.

Eligibility

You are 18 or older (some municipalities allow younger traders with a guardian)
South African ID, or an asylum seeker permit, refugee status or visa that permits self-employment
You trade from a designated trading bay or an area where informal trading is allowed

Documents you need before applying

Completed informal trading application form from your municipality
Certified copy of your ID or permit
Passport photographs
Certificate of Acceptability (COA) from Environmental Health if you sell food
Proof of payment of the monthly or annual trading fee

Download a printable checklist

A one-page PDF of everything you need to bring with you. Tick items off before you go.

How to apply — step by step

1
Visit your municipal informal trading office
Ask for the trading by-law, the map of designated trading areas and the application form. Some cities run waiting lists for high-demand bays.
2
Get health clearance for food
If you sell any prepared food, Environmental Health must inspect your stall or cart and issue a Certificate of Acceptability before the trading permit is granted.
3
Pay and collect your permit
Fees are usually modest — often a daily, monthly or annual tariff depending on the city. Display the permit at your stall.

Where, how much, how long

Where to apply

Your local municipality's informal trading, economic development or licensing office.

Fees

Usually under a few hundred rand a month, depending on the city and the bay. Food stalls may pay more.

Processing time

A few days to a few weeks; longer where there is a waiting list for bays.

Validity

Usually 12 months, renewable.

Renewal

Renew before the expiry date shown on your permit. Bring your existing permit, ID and proof of payment of any fees owed.

Common mistakes to avoid

Trading outside a designated area — the permit does not make every pavement legal
Selling cooked food without a Certificate of Acceptability
Lending your permit to someone else, which most by-laws prohibit

Tips to speed up your application

Keep a copy of the by-law — it is your protection if you are told to move from a legal bay
Join or form a recognised traders' association; many municipalities consult them on bay allocation