What must I check for my HS code before shipping to South Africa?

General checklist for any HS code

1. Look up your HS code in the South African Revenue Service (SARS) tariff and find the duty rate that applies to your shipment.

   SARS, Schedule No. 1 to the Customs and Excise Act (Ordinary Customs Duty) (https://www.sars.gov.za/legal-counsel/primary-legislation/schedules-to-the-customs-and-excise-act-1964/) — Checked 2026-10-26

2. Check your code on the SARS page for prohibited, restricted and counterfeit goods, which links the current list file.

   SARS, Prohibited, restricted and counterfeit goods (https://www.sars.gov.za/customs-and-excise/prohibited-restricted-and-counterfeit-goods/) — Checked 2026-10-28

3. Check whether your code needs a compulsory specification and a Letter of Authority (LOA) from the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) — the NRCS says the LOA must be in place before you import, not applied for afterwards.

   NRCS, Chemical, mechanical and materials unit (FAQ on Letters of Authority) (https://www.nrcs.org.za/business-units/ccm/chemical-disinfectants/) — Checked 2026-10-28

4. Check whether your code needs an import permit from the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) — compulsory for all used or second-hand goods and for the 276 of roughly 6,650 tariff lines ITAC lists under import control.

   ITAC, Import control (https://www.itac.org.za/import-control/) — Checked 2026-10-28

5. Check whether ITAC has an anti-dumping, countervailing or safeguard duty notice against your code and country of origin.

   ITAC, Government gazette notices (trade remedies) (https://itac.org.za/trade-remedies/government-gazette-notices/) — Checked 2026-10-27

6. Decide whether you need a certificate of origin — it lowers the duty only if the goods qualify under a trade agreement such as SADC or AfCFTA.

   SARS, Rules of origin (https://www.sars.gov.za/customs-and-excise/rules-of-origin/) — Checked 2026-10-28

7. If your buyer expects certification, note that a voluntary SABS Mark is evidence of conformity but does not replace a compulsory NRCS LOA where one applies.

   SABS, Mark Scheme brochure (https://www.sabs.co.za/media/pdf/Mark_2020_Brochure.pdf) — Checked 2026-10-28

8. Confirm who is the registered importer and clearing agent lodging the goods declaration with SARS — a foreign company needs to register as a legal entity with a South African agent to do this itself.

   SARS, Goods declaration (https://www.sars.gov.za/customs-and-excise/goods-declaration/) — Checked 2026-10-28