Importing from China to South Africa

China is South Africa's largest trading partner, and Durban is the busiest container port in sub-Saharan Africa. Our South African clients include online sellers, retailers, wholesalers in Johannesburg and Durban, hospitality groups, and businesses buying equipment and packaging.

South African buyers usually know the market well. What they want from an agent is a supplier that can be trusted, goods that pass inspection, and products that meet South African compulsory standards, so stock isn't stuck at the port or pulled from shelves.

Durban suits Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, and most containers for Johannesburg arrive there and travel on by road or rail. Cape Town suits the Western Cape. For smaller orders, a shared container (LCL) or combining goods from several suppliers keeps freight costs down.

To import commercially, you need a customs client number from the South African Revenue Service. Your clearing agent declares the goods on a customs declaration, using your client number, when or before they arrive. Without registration the goods can't be cleared.

Customs duty depends on the product's tariff code. Many goods are duty free, while some finished goods, such as clothing, carry much higher rates. Some products from China also carry anti-dumping duties, so check your tariff code before you order.

Import VAT is 15%, but it isn't charged on the customs value alone. SARS adds 10% to the customs value, then adds the duty, and charges VAT on the total. For example, on goods with a customs value of R100,000 and R20,000 duty, VAT is charged on R130,000, which comes to R19,500. VAT-registered businesses can usually claim it back; customs duty can't be reclaimed.

Our landed cost calculator helps you work out the full cost per unit before you commit to an order.

The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) controls products covered by compulsory specifications, which include many electrical and electronic goods, as well as some automotive parts and building products. Before these can be sold in South Africa, the importer needs a Letter of Authority (LOA) from the NRCS, usually based on test reports against the relevant SANS standard.

LOA applications can take time, so start them as soon as you've chosen a supplier, and ask the factory for test reports early. Some other goods, such as certain second-hand items and controlled products, need an import permit from the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC).

South Africa runs on 230 V, 50 Hz power and uses its own plug types, mainly Type M and the newer Type N. Make sure electrical goods are made for the South African market, not adapted afterwards.

• Commercial invoice and packing list.
• Bill of lading or air waybill.
• Certificate of origin.
• NRCS Letter of Authority or ITAC permit, where your product needs one.

1. 1We find factories that make your product and check them before you pay a deposit.
2. 2We ask for the test reports you need for the NRCS application and check they match the product.
3. 3We inspect the goods before you pay the balance, against your approved sample.
4. 4We arrange sea or air freight to Durban, Cape Town or Johannesburg with partner forwarders.

Selling online? Our page on sourcing for Amazon and e-commerce sellers covers labelling, packaging and smaller first orders.