Importers of certain goods from China will soon be required to secure pre-export certification before shipment, following a new directive issued by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) to ensure compliance with South African safety standards.
DTIC Minister Parks Tau issued the directive under Section 33 of the Standards Act, 2008. Under the new regulation, importers must obtain a Certificate of Conformity (CoC), confirming that affected goods meet applicable South African National Standards (SANS) or recognised reference standards. The certification will be processed within existing customs and import control frameworks.
Published in Government Gazette No. 54374, the directive introduces a Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme that “aims to facilitate the application of SANS to certain unregulated products imported into the Republic”.
The programme applies only to products that are not already subject to compulsory specifications enforced by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS). Its primary objective is to protect consumers and support local manufacturing industries against substandard or unregulated imports.
A wide range of consumer and industrial goods fall under the directive. These include skin-lightening creams, sanitary towels, hair relaxers and conditioners, plastic utensils, non-stick pans, aluminium cookware and pots. Furniture such as wardrobes, office desks, chairs, and cots are also covered, along with bicycles, plastic toys, generators, protective sports gear, gas stoves, plumbing supplies, and construction materials.
“The conformity assessment activities contemplated in this directive shall be undertaken within the legislative mandate of the SABS,” the directive states, referring to the South African Bureau of Standards.
The directive further clarifies that cooperation with foreign entities, including the China Certification & Inspection Group (CCIC), will serve only as an administrative and technical mechanism and will not carry independent regulatory authority.
No additional enforcement powers are introduced. Compliance will be monitored by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and the Border Management Authority within their existing mandates.
The directive includes a six-month transitional period from its publication date, with full implementation set for 20 September. Importers and freight forwarders handling qualifying consignments from China are advised to prepare for the additional compliance requirements.