Electric Cable and Wire Imports South Africa: PVoC CoC Requirements

Why It Is Regulated

Safety Standards for Electric cables and wires

Electric cables and wires imported into South Africa are regulated under the SABS PVoC programme because they are subject to compulsory South African National Standards (SANS). The applicable standards include SANS 1411 (materials for the insulation and sheathing of electric cables) and SANS 60227 (PVC-insulated cables of rated voltages up to and including 450/750 V). Building wiring cables are also subject to SANS 10142 (the wiring code) requirements. These standards set minimum safety requirements that goods must meet before they can legally be sold in South Africa.

Non-compliant cables and wires are one of the most common causes of electrical fires in South Africa. Substandard insulation, undersized conductors, and poor fire performance are common failure modes. The SABS has documented significant volumes of non-compliant cables entering the South African market.

From 20 September 2026, SARS Customs will check for valid PVoC CoCs on all regulated goods at all ports of entry. Shipments arriving without a valid CoC will be detained.

HS Codes and Scope

Tariff Classification for Electric cables and wires

The HS codes most commonly associated with electric cables and wires include 8544.11 (winding wire of copper), 8544.19 (other winding wire), 8544.42 (electric conductors, for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 V, fitted with connectors), 8544.49 (other electric conductors, for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 V). Importers should verify the correct HS code for their specific product with their clearing agent. The HS code determines whether the goods fall within the SABS PVoC regulated product scope.

Cable and wire imports are one of the highest-volume regulated product categories at South African ports. SARS Customs is expected to enforce PVoC requirements rigorously for cables and wires from 20 September 2026.

The Certification Process

How to Obtain a PVoC CoC

To obtain a PVoC CoC, contact an SABS-accredited inspection body — Bureau Veritas, Intertek, SGS, or TÜV Rheinland — and provide them with the product specifications, HS code, applicable SANS standards, and planned shipment details. The inspection body will assess the goods against the relevant standards and issue a CoC if they comply.

First-time certifications typically take 2–4 weeks. Repeat certifications for the same product model are faster because the inspection body already has the product's test data on file.

Once the inspection body issues a CoC PDF, register it on CoC Vault to create a tamper-evident digital record and permanent verification URL for use in SAD 500 customs declarations.

After the CoC Is Issued

CoC Vault Registration

Register the CoC PDF on CoC Vault at certificatesofconformity.co.za/mint. Upload the PDF, complete the nine metadata fields, and pay the minting fee (2%/1%/0.5% of CIF value). A permanent verification URL is minted immediately after payment.

Share the verification URL with your clearing agent before the SAD 500 declaration is submitted. SARS Customs checks the URL to verify the CoC's authenticity when the goods arrive.