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  • What is a tariff code in South Africa?
  • Tariff codes (also called HS codes or commodity codes) are the numerical codes customs authorities across the world use to classify goods for taxation and regulation. Everything you need to know about clearing your goods for import and/or export will depend on what classification it falls under in the South African tariff book.
  • How are South African import duties calculated?
  • South African import duties are levied according to the tariff code an import is classified under. Therefore, to determine the import duties payable on a shipment, you will first need to know the tariff code (s) your goods are classified under for Customs purposes.
  • What is a rate of duty in South Africa?
  • These taxes can be expressed as a percentage of the value of the goods, or a set unit cost (such as 20c per kilogram). The percentage or unit cost is called the rate of duty. The rates of duty applicable to imported goods are listed in the South African tariff book according to tariff (HS) code.
  • How do I find rates of duty applicable to my import?
  • To find rates of duty applicable to your import in these schedules, you will need your tariff or HS code. This is a standardised numerical code that is used to classify goods for the sake of import, export and trade statistics. You can see the structure of tariff code below.
  • How do I find out the tariff codes on a particular product?
  • To find out the tariff codes on a particular product or material, refer to our tariff code look-up. The sections of the South African tariff book listing import duties and levies are: Schedule 1 Part 1 – Ordinary Customs Duty listings. This is the only schedule that lists all the South African tariff codes according to Chapter.
  • How are customs duties calculated in South Africa?
  • It is important to ensure that an importer has a proper description of goods before the goods are imported into South Africa as the tariff code identified has to be inserted on the customs declaration. The customs duties and VAT payable will be calculated based on the rate of duty dictated by the specific tariff code.