Country Applicability
Do Imports from Turkey Need a PVoC CoC?
Goods imported from Turkey into South Africa require a PVoC Certificate of Conformity if they are regulated goods. The PVoC programme is origin-neutral — it applies to the product category, not the country of manufacture. Turkey is a significant exporter of goods that fall within the regulated product scope, and importers sourcing from Turkey must obtain PVoC CoCs for regulated goods before shipment.
PVoC Is Origin-Neutral
Why Turkey Imports Are Subject to PVoC
A common misconception is that the PVoC programme only applies to goods from China. This is incorrect. The SABS PVoC programme applies to regulated goods regardless of origin country. Goods from Turkey, China, Taiwan, Germany, the United States, or any other country are subject to PVoC if they are regulated goods.
Turkey is a significant exporter of electrical equipment, automotive parts, textiles, building materials, and machinery — many of which fall within the SABS PVoC regulated product scope. Importers sourcing from Turkey must obtain PVoC CoCs for regulated goods before shipment to South Africa.
Obtaining a CoC for Turkey Imports
The Inspection Process
To obtain a PVoC CoC for goods sourced from Turkey, contact an SABS-accredited inspection body — Bureau Veritas, Intertek, SGS, or TÜV Rheinland. All four major inspection bodies (Bureau Veritas, Intertek, SGS, TÜV Rheinland) have offices in Turkey and can conduct pre-shipment inspections locally.
The inspection process for Turkey-origin goods is the same as for goods from any other country. First-time certifications typically take 2–4 weeks. Importers who source regularly from Turkey should establish a standing certification arrangement with their chosen inspection body.
After the CoC Is Issued
CoC Vault for Turkey-Origin Shipments
Once the inspection body issues a PVoC CoC for a Turkey-origin shipment, register the CoC PDF on CoC Vault to create a tamper-evident digital record and permanent verification URL. The verification URL can be included in SAD 500 documentation and shared with your clearing agent.
CoC Vault applies to Turkey-origin shipments in the same way as shipments from any other country. The SHA-256 hash of the CoC PDF is calculated and recorded, and a permanent verification URL is minted for use in SARS Customs documentation.
Do goods from Turkey need a PVoC CoC?
Yes, if they are regulated goods. PVoC applies to all origin countries, not only China. Turkey is a significant exporter of regulated goods.
Is PVoC only for goods from China?
No. PVoC is origin-neutral — it applies to the product category, not the country of manufacture. Goods from any country are subject to PVoC if they are regulated goods.
Which inspection bodies operate in Turkey?
Bureau Veritas, Intertek, SGS, and TÜV Rheinland all have offices in major manufacturing countries and can conduct pre-shipment inspections for PVoC CoCs.
When does PVoC enforcement become mandatory?
20 September 2026. From that date, SARS Customs will check for valid PVoC CoCs on all regulated goods, regardless of origin country.
Continue Learning
Your Turkey-Origin Shipments Need a PVoC CoC
PVoC applies to all origin countries. If your Turkey-sourced goods are regulated, a CoC is required before shipment. Create your CoC Vault record 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.