The International Trade Administration Act (No 71 of 2002) makes provision for control, through a permit system, of the import and export of goods specified by regulation. The primary function of this directorate is the administration of the provisions of the International Trade Administration Act with regard to the issuing of import and export permits in terms of Section 6 of the Act and investigations and enforcement in terms of part E of the Act.

The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) is part of the DTI group of institutions and is responsible for administering the provisions of the Act including issuing import and export permits.