Provider Comparison
CoC Provider Comparison: Inspection Bodies vs CoC Vault
There are two types of service providers in the PVoC compliance chain: SABS-accredited inspection bodies (who inspect goods and issue the CoC) and CoC Vault (which provides digital record management and verification URLs). These are not competing services — they serve different functions and both are needed for complete PVoC compliance.
Quick Facts
Inspection Bodies
Bureau Veritas, SGS, Intertek, TÜV
Inspection Body Role
Issues the PVoC CoC
CoC Vault Role
Digital record + verification URL
Both Needed?
Yes — different functions
Inspection Fee
USD 200–800 per shipment
CoC Vault Fee
2%/1%/0.5% of CIF + R1,997 onboarding
Mandatory Deadline
20 Sep 2026 · 140 Days
Inspection Bodies: What They Do
The Pre-Shipment Inspection Function
SABS-accredited inspection bodies — Bureau Veritas, Intertek, SGS, and TÜV Rheinland — are the organisations that actually inspect goods and issue PVoC Certificates of Conformity. They visit the supplier's factory or warehouse before the goods are shipped, assess the goods against the applicable SANS standards, and issue a CoC PDF if the goods comply.
The inspection body's fee covers the inspection itself (the physical examination and/or laboratory testing) and the issuance of the CoC PDF. This is the primary compliance cost for most importers.
Inspection bodies are accredited by SABS. Only SABS-accredited bodies can issue valid PVoC CoCs. A CoC from a non-accredited body will be rejected by SARS Customs.
CoC Vault: What It Does
The Digital Record Management Function
CoC Vault is a digital record management and verification platform. It does not inspect goods and does not issue CoCs. What it does: (1) calculates the SHA-256 hash of the CoC PDF; (2) records the hash on an immutable ledger; (3) mints a permanent verification URL; (4) provides a QR code; and (5) stores the CoC PDF (for vault subscribers).
The verification URL is the key output — it is a permanent link that SARS Customs can check to verify that the CoC is authentic and has not been tampered with. The URL can be included in SAD 500 documentation and shared with clearing agents.
CoC Vault is operated by LinkDaddy LLC, a Florida-registered US company. It is independent of SABS, NRCS, and SARS.
How They Work Together
The Complete Compliance Chain
The complete PVoC compliance chain uses both services. The inspection body inspects the goods and issues the CoC PDF. The importer registers the CoC PDF on CoC Vault to create a tamper-evident digital record and verification URL. The clearing agent includes the verification URL in the SAD 500 declaration. SARS Customs checks the URL to verify the CoC.
Neither service replaces the other. The inspection body's CoC is the primary compliance document. CoC Vault makes it verifiable in a digital format that SARS Customs can check efficiently.
Importers who have a CoC from an inspection body but have not registered it on CoC Vault have the primary compliance document but lack the digital verification layer. Importers who have registered on CoC Vault but do not have a CoC from an inspection body have the verification platform but no valid CoC to register.
Comparing Costs
What Each Service Costs
Inspection body fees: typically USD 200–800 per shipment for standard consumer goods. Products requiring laboratory testing cost more. First-time certifications cost more than repeat certifications.
CoC Vault fees: R1,997 onboarding (one-time). Minting fee: 2% of CIF value for shipments up to R1 million, 1% for R1–10 million, 0.5% for R10–100 million. Vault subscription: R499/month (optional, for permanent PDF storage).
Total compliance cost for a R500,000 shipment: approximately USD 400 (inspection) + R10,000 (minting fee) + R1,997 (onboarding, one-time). This is significantly less than the cost of a single detention at a South African port.
What is the difference between an inspection body and CoC Vault?
Inspection bodies (Bureau Veritas, Intertek, SGS, TÜV Rheinland) inspect goods and issue PVoC CoCs. CoC Vault provides digital record management and verification URLs. Both are needed for complete PVoC compliance.
Do I need both an inspection body and CoC Vault?
Yes. The inspection body issues the CoC. CoC Vault makes it verifiable. Both are needed for complete compliance.
Can CoC Vault issue a PVoC CoC?
No. CoC Vault is a digital record management platform. PVoC CoCs are issued by SABS-accredited inspection bodies.
What does CoC Vault cost?
R1,997 onboarding (one-time) + minting fee (2%/1%/0.5% of CIF value) + optional vault subscription (R499/month).
What do inspection bodies cost?
Typically USD 200–800 per shipment for standard consumer goods. Products requiring laboratory testing cost more.
Continue Learning
You Need Both: An Inspection Body and CoC Vault
The inspection body issues your CoC. CoC Vault makes it verifiable. Both are needed for complete PVoC compliance. Start onboarding on CoC Vault before 20 September 2026.
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.