Clearing Agent Guide
What Clearing Agents Need to Know About PVoC Compliance
From 20 September 2026, clearing agents submitting SAD500 declarations for Phase 1 goods from Mainland China must include a CoC verification URL. The URL is provided by the importer after they register the CoC on cofc. Without the URL, the SAD500 will be flagged by SARS Customs and the goods will be held at the port.
What Phase 1 Covers
The Five Product Categories
Phase 1 of the SABS PVoC programme covers five product categories from Mainland China: solar PV products (panels, inverters, batteries), furniture (office chairs, mattresses, upholstered furniture), cosmetics and toiletries (skin care, hair products), children's toys, and electrical appliances (LED lighting, small appliances).
If you are submitting a SAD500 for goods in any of these categories from Mainland China, you need a CoC verification URL from the importer. Check the HS code against the Phase 1 product list to determine whether a CoC is required.
What You Need From the Importer
The Verification URL
You need the CoC verification URL — a permanent URL on cofc's domain in the format certificatesofconformity.co.za/v/[hash]/. The importer receives this URL after registering the CoC on cofc. You do not need the CoC PDF itself (though the importer may share it for your records).
Request the verification URL from your importer clients well before the goods arrive at the South African port. The earlier you receive the URL, the more time you have to include it in the SAD500 before submission.
The BMA Verification Process
What Happens at the Port
When the goods arrive at a South African port, the BMA officer verifies the CoC by scanning the QR code on the SAD500. The QR code resolves to the cofc verification page, which shows all CoC metadata. The verification is digital and automated — no paper documents are required.
If the SAD500 does not contain a valid CoC verification URL, the BMA officer will flag the shipment for further investigation by SARS Customs. The goods will be held and demurrage will accrue.
The Partner Programme
Earn 30% Commission on Minting Fees
Clearing agents who refer clients to cofc earn 30% of all minting fees from those clients — for the lifetime of the client relationship. Commission is paid monthly via EFT or Stripe automated payouts. No setup fee, no minimum volume, no equity required.
To join the partner programme, visit certificatesofconformity.co.za/partners or email [email protected]. You receive a unique referral code to share with your importer clients. When they register using your code, all subsequent minting fees are attributed to your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions
What if my importer client doesn't have a CoC yet?
If your importer client does not have a CoC for their Phase 1 shipment, advise them to register on cofc immediately. They need to upload the CoC PDF (obtained from the inspection body in China) and pay the registration fee. They will receive the verification URL after registration.
Can I register the CoC on behalf of my importer client?
The clearing agent can assist with the registration process, but the CoC should be registered on the importer's cofc account. The importer is the account holder and is responsible for compliance. Contact cofc at [email protected] for guidance on partner-assisted registration.
What if the importer provides the URL after I've submitted the SAD500?
If you have already submitted the SAD500 without a CoC URL, you may be able to amend the declaration before the goods arrive. Contact SARS Customs about the amendment procedure. Amendments are subject to SARS Customs's approval.
How do I join the clearing agent partner programme?
Visit certificatesofconformity.co.za/partners or email [email protected]. You will receive a unique referral code to share with your importer clients. When they register using your code, you earn 30% of all minting fees from those clients.
Continue Learning
Clearing Agent SAD500 Workflow
Step-by-step SAD500 workflow with CoC URL.
Clearing Agent's Role in CoC Compliance
What clearing agents need to know.
Partner Programme
Earn 30% commission on minting fees.
The PVoC Programme
Full regulatory context.
What Happens If I Import Without a CoC?
The consequences of non-compliance.
Get the verification URL from your importer clients before submitting the SAD500.
Join the cofc partner programme and earn 30% commission on minting fees from your referred clients.
Sources: Government Gazette No. 54374 (20 March 2026); Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964; SARS Customs External Policy SC-CO-01-02 (effective 31 March 2026). Last verified: 3 May 2026. certificatesofconformity.co.za is an independent reference publication operated by LinkDaddy LLC, a Florida-registered US entity. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the SABS, NRCS, SARS, or any agency of the Government of South Africa.