Johannesburg - A trade deficit of R18.94bn has been recorded for September, the SA Revenue Service (Sars) said on Thursday.
"The R18.94bn deficit for September 2013 can be attributed to exports of R66.53bn and imports of R85.47bn," Sars said in a statement.
"The cumulative deficit for 2013 is R126.37bn compared to R83.60bn in 2012."
Exports decreased by 6%, R4.23bn, from August to September.
Various goods contributed to the exports change, including a decrease in vehicles, aircraft and vessels exports by R4.37bn, and a decrease in precious and semiprecious stones and metals exports by R2.02bn.
The export of vegetable products decreased by R880m and machinery and electrical appliances by R491m, while base metals and articles exports increased by R843m.
Imports decreased by 4.9%, R4.39bn, from August to September.
Imports were affected by factors, including a decrease in vehicles, aircraft and vessels imports by R2.53bn.