Electrical Appliances — Phase 1
Electrical Appliance Import Compliance in South Africa
Phase 1 goods from Mainland China require a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) issued by an accredited inspection body before they ship. From 20 September 2026, SARS Customs and the Border Management Authority (BMA) will refuse clearance for any Phase 1 shipment without a valid CoC.
Quick Facts
Phase 1 Category
Electrical appliances (mandatory)
SANS Codes
SANS 62368-1, SANS 60335 series
Typical CIF Range
R400k–R4M per shipment
Minting Fee Example
R4,000–R40,000 (1% tier)
Inspection Bodies
CCIC, SGS, Intertek, Bureau Veritas
Gazette
GG 54374 · 20 March 2026
Mandatory Deadline
20 Sep 2026 · 142 Days
Phase 1 Scope
What Electrical Products Are in Scope
Phase 1 covers electrical appliances and equipment imported from Mainland China, including: LED lighting (bulbs, strips, panels, drivers), small household appliances (kettles, toasters, hair dryers, fans), audio/video equipment (televisions, speakers, amplifiers), IT equipment (computers, printers, monitors), and power tools. The applicable SANS codes are SANS 62368-1 (audio/video/IT equipment) and the SANS 60335 series (household and similar electrical appliances).
Important disambiguation: This page covers the import Certificate of Conformity (PVoC) for electrical goods from China. This is completely different from the electrical Certificate of Compliance (COC) required for property transfers and wiring installations. See the disambiguation article if you are unsure which document you need.
SANS Reference
Applicable SANS Standards
The primary SANS codes for electrical appliances are SANS 62368-1 (safety requirements for audio/video, information, and communication technology equipment) and the SANS 60335 series (household and similar electrical appliances — covers kettles, irons, hair dryers, fans, and other domestic appliances). For the authoritative SANS code reference, visit sansstandards.co.za.
Structural Comparison
With CoC vs Without CoC
| Attribute | Without CoC | With CoC (Registered on Vault) |
|---|---|---|
| CoC Status | No CoC — goods held at port | Valid CoC — goods cleared |
| Port Delay | R3,000–R8,000/day demurrage | No delay — SAD500 clears |
| Penalty Risk | Potential 15% CIF surcharge (East African precedent) | No penalty |
| Document Retention | Non-compliant — Customs Act §101 not satisfied | 5-year encrypted retention |
| Verification Method | Paper-based, manual, slow | QR code scan — verified in seconds |
| Clearing Agent Workflow | SAD500 rejected — goods held | Verification URL in SAD500 — cleared |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions
Does my LED lighting shipment need a CoC?
Yes. LED lighting products imported from China are in scope for Phase 1 PVoC. The applicable standard is SANS 62368-1. Your inspection body (CCIC, SGS, Intertek, or Bureau Veritas) must verify the products against this standard before they ship from China.
Is the import CoC the same as the electrical Certificate of Compliance?
No. The import Certificate of Conformity (PVoC) is a per-shipment document for goods from China. The electrical Certificate of Compliance is a property-based document issued by a registered electrician in South Africa for wiring installations. They are completely different documents.
My appliances already have CE marking — does that replace the CoC?
No. CE marks satisfy European requirements (LVD, EMC directives). They do not automatically satisfy South African SANS requirements. The inspection body will review your CE documentation as supporting evidence, but the CoC must still be issued for each shipment.
What SANS code applies to my specific appliance?
SANS 62368-1 covers audio/video/IT equipment. The SANS 60335 series covers household appliances (each part covers a specific appliance type). Confirm the applicable code with your inspection body or at sansstandards.co.za.
Minting Fee Worked Example
What Does an Electrical Appliances CoC Cost to Register?
The CoC Vault minting fee is tiered based on the declared CIF value of the shipment. For a typical commercial electrical appliances shipment from China:
| Shipment CIF Value | Tier | Minting Fee |
|---|---|---|
| R500,000 (LED lighting order) | 2% tier | R10,000 |
| R1,000,000 (small appliances order) | 1% tier | R10,000 |
| R2,500,000 (electronics order) | 1% tier | R25,000 |
| R5,000,000 (bulk appliances import) | 1% tier | R50,000 |
CIF tiers: ≤R1M = 2%, R1M–R10M = 1%, R10M–R100M = 0.5%. The R1,997 onboarding fee is a one-time payment per importer entity — not per shipment.
Common Inspection Failures
Electrical Appliances Inspection Pitfalls to Avoid
SA plug type not specified
South Africa uses Type M plugs (large 3-pin). Electrical appliances must either be supplied with Type M plugs or with a compliant adaptor. Appliances supplied with Type A/B (US) or Type G (UK) plugs without adaptors may fail the inspection.
Voltage range not covering 220-240V
South Africa operates at 220-240V/50Hz. Appliances designed for 110V (US standard) will not be accepted. Ensure your appliances are rated for 220-240V operation.
LED driver not separately tested
LED lighting systems with external drivers require the driver to be tested separately under SANS 62368-1. A CoC for the LED fixture alone, without the driver, may not be accepted.
CE marking assumed to satisfy SANS
CE marking satisfies European LVD/EMC requirements. It does not automatically satisfy SANS 62368-1 or the SANS 60335 series. The inspection body must specifically test against the applicable SANS standard.
Continue Learning
The PVoC Programme
Full regulatory context for the SABS PVoC programme.
Phase 1 Sectors Hub
All five Phase 1 sectors with SANS codes and inspection guidance.
CoC vs Certificate of Compliance
The disambiguation article — two documents, same abbreviation.
How to Brief Your Chinese Supplier
Practical guide to managing the supplier relationship during PVoC implementation.
sansstandards.co.za
The South African National Standards catalogue.
Register Your Electrical Import Entity
R1,997 one-time onboarding. Each CoC registration takes minutes. Have your vault active before 20 September 2026.
Verify with official sources: Government Gazette No. 54374 (20 March 2026). sansstandards.co.za for applicable SANS codes. This article reflects the regulatory position as at 30 April 2026 and should not be relied upon as legal advice.