Compliance Checklist
CoC Registration Checklist for SA Importers
This checklist covers every step required to register a Certificate of Conformity on CoC Vault and ensure your clearing agent has the verification URL before your shipment arrives at a South African port. Complete all steps before the goods are shipped — the CoC must be registered before the SAD 500 declaration is submitted.
Before the Shipment: Obtain Your CoC
Step 1 — Get the CoC PDF from Your Inspection Body
The first step is to obtain a PVoC Certificate of Conformity from an SABS-accredited inspection body. Contact Bureau Veritas, Intertek, SGS, or TÜV Rheinland and provide them with your product details, HS code, applicable SANS standards, and planned shipment date. The inspection body will inspect the goods and issue a CoC PDF if they comply.
The CoC PDF is the document you will register on CoC Vault. Keep the original PDF secure — you will need it for the registration process. Make sure the CoC PDF is legible and contains all the required information: the inspection body's reference number, the goods description, the shipment details, and the applicable SANS standards.
If the inspection body provides the CoC in a format other than PDF (for example, as a scanned image), convert it to PDF before registering it on CoC Vault. The SHA-256 hash is calculated from the PDF file, so the file must be in PDF format for the hash to be consistent.
Create Your CoC Vault Account
Step 2 — Onboarding (R1,997 One-Time Fee)
If you do not already have a CoC Vault account, create one at certificatesofconformity.co.za/mint. The onboarding fee is R1,997 (one-time). This fee covers the account setup, the first year of vault storage, and access to the minting station where you can register CoCs.
The account creation process uses email magic-link authentication — no password required. Enter your email address, click the link in the email, and your account is created. The onboarding fee is paid via Stripe in ZAR.
Once your account is created and the onboarding fee is paid, you have access to the minting station where you can register CoCs. Your account is linked to your email address and can be accessed from any device.
Register Your CoC
Step 3 — Upload the CoC PDF and Pay the Minting Fee
At the minting station (/mint), upload the CoC PDF by dragging and dropping it into the upload area or clicking to browse. The SHA-256 hash of the PDF is calculated in the browser using the WebCrypto API — the hash is displayed as it is calculated, confirming that the correct file has been uploaded.
Complete the CoC metadata form: reference number, issuing body, issue date, HS code, importer name, manufacturer name, country of origin, applicable SANS standards, and CIF value. The minting fee is calculated automatically based on the CIF value: 2% for shipments up to R1 million, 1% for R1–10 million, 0.5% for R10–100 million.
Pay the minting fee via Stripe. Once payment is confirmed, the CoC is registered on the blockchain-equivalent immutable ledger and a permanent verification URL is minted. You will receive a confirmation email with the verification URL and a QR code.
Share the Verification URL
Steps 4 and 5 — Confirmation Email and Clearing Agent
After registration, you receive a confirmation email with the verification URL and a QR code. The verification URL is a permanent link that resolves to the CoC verification page showing all the CoC metadata. The QR code encodes the verification URL and can be scanned by BMA officers at the border.
Share the verification URL with your clearing agent before the SAD 500 declaration is submitted. The clearing agent includes the URL in the SAD 500 documentation submitted to SARS Customs. SARS Customs can check the URL to verify that the CoC is authentic and has not been tampered with.
The verification URL is permanent — it does not expire and does not require any action to maintain. Once a CoC is registered on CoC Vault, the verification URL is valid indefinitely. You can also access all your registered CoCs from the dashboard at /dashboard.
What information do I need to register a CoC?
You need the CoC PDF from the inspection body, plus the following metadata: reference number, issuing body, issue date, HS code, importer name, manufacturer name, country of origin, applicable SANS standards, and CIF value.
How long does the registration process take?
The registration process takes approximately 10–15 minutes, including the PDF upload, metadata entry, and payment. The verification URL is available immediately after payment is confirmed.
Can I register a CoC before the goods are shipped?
Yes. You can register a CoC as soon as you receive the CoC PDF from the inspection body, even before the goods are shipped. The verification URL can be shared with your clearing agent in advance of the shipment.
What if I make a mistake in the metadata?
Contact CoC Vault support immediately. The CoC metadata is recorded at the time of registration and cannot be changed after the minting fee is paid. If there is an error in the metadata, a new registration may be required.
Can my clearing agent register the CoC on my behalf?
Your clearing agent can assist with the registration process, but the CoC must be registered on your CoC Vault account. The importer is the account holder and is responsible for compliance. Your clearing agent can upload the CoC PDF and pay the minting fee on your behalf if authorised to do so.
Continue Learning
Clearing Agent SAD500 Workflow
How clearing agents include CoCs in SAD 500 declarations.
Documents Needed to Register a CoC
Full list of information required for CoC registration.
PVoC Approved Bodies
List of SABS-accredited inspection bodies.
What Happens Without a CoC
Detention, demurrage, and penalty consequences.
Register Your CoC Before the Shipment Arrives
The verification URL must be available to your clearing agent before the SAD 500 is submitted. Create your CoC Vault account and register your CoC before the 20 September 2026 deadline.
Sources: Government Gazette No. 54374 (20 March 2026); Standards Act 8 of 2008; Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964. 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.