Part 5 of the SACU Agreement, 2002 (as amended in 2013), provides for Trade Liberalisation. Article 31 on Trade Relations with Third Parties establishes a framework that facilitates the region's integration into the global economy, fostering increased trade and participation in global value chains. SACU Member States have pursued a unified approach to negotiations with third parties. Since 2002, Member States have concluded several trade negotiations as a bloc with some key trading partners. Article 31 of the 2002 SACU Agreement require the SACU Member States to negotiate trade agreements with third parties as a collective. The SACU Secretariat coordinates the SACU negotiating agenda, i.e. negotiations with third parties, and implementation of agreements. Member States conduct the negotiations and implement the agreements. The SACU Secretariat further supports policy development and harmonisation of national policies and strategies of SACU Member States as far as they relate to SACU.

Concluded Agreements with Third Parties:

1. FTA - SACU and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) - Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein;
2. Economic Partnership Agreement - SADC-EPA Group and the European Union - (EU-SADC EPA);
3. SACU and MERCOSUR (Mercado Común del Sur/Southern Common Market) Preferential Trade Agreement; and
4. Economic Partnership - SACU, Mozambique and the UK;
5. SACU USA Trade and Development Cooperation Investment

The SACU Member States are also engaged in these ongoing trade negotiations:

1. the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), East African Community (EAC) and SADC;
2. Preferential Trade Agreement between SACU and India; and
3. review of the SACU-EFTA FTA.