Product Applicability
Hair Products Imports South Africa: PVoC CoC Requirements
Hair care products imported into South Africa — including shampoos, conditioners, hair relaxers, hair dyes, and styling products — are regulated goods subject to compulsory SANS standards and cosmetics regulations. A PVoC Certificate of Conformity is required before shipment. From 20 September 2026, hair product shipments arriving without a valid CoC will be detained by SARS Customs.
Why Hair Products Are Regulated
Chemical Safety and Consumer Protection
Hair care products are regulated under the SABS PVoC programme because they are applied directly to the body and can cause harm if they contain prohibited substances, are incorrectly formulated, or are mislabelled. Hair relaxers, hair dyes, and chemical straightening products in particular contain active chemical ingredients that can cause scalp burns, allergic reactions, and long-term health effects if not properly formulated and labelled.
The applicable standards include SANS 10137 (cosmetics — labelling requirements) and the regulations made under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act (Act 54 of 1972). These regulations set requirements for ingredient disclosure, prohibited substances, concentration limits for active ingredients, and labelling requirements including language requirements and safety warnings.
The South African market has seen significant volumes of non-compliant hair products, particularly from manufacturers who do not meet South African labelling requirements or who use ingredients that are prohibited under South African cosmetics regulations. The PVoC requirement for hair products is a direct response to these market failures.
What Hair Products Are Covered
From Shampoos to Chemical Treatments
The PVoC CoC requirement applies to a broad range of hair care products. Shampoos and conditioners are regulated. Hair relaxers, hair straighteners, and chemical perming products are regulated. Hair dyes and colourants are regulated. Hair styling products (gels, mousses, sprays, and pomades) are regulated. Hair growth treatments and scalp treatments are regulated.
Hair accessories that do not contain chemical ingredients — such as hair clips, hair bands, and hair brushes — are generally not regulated under the cosmetics provisions of the PVoC programme, though they may be regulated under other product safety standards. Importers of hair accessories should confirm the applicable requirements with an SABS-accredited inspection body.
The HS codes most commonly associated with hair products include 3305.10 (shampoos), 3305.20 (preparations for permanent waving or straightening), 3305.30 (hair lacquers), and 3305.90 (other preparations for use on the hair). Importers should verify the correct HS code for their specific product with their clearing agent.
The Inspection and Certification Process
How to Obtain a PVoC CoC for Hair Products
To obtain a PVoC CoC for hair products, contact an SABS-accredited inspection body and provide them with the product formulation details, ingredient list, applicable SANS standards, and planned shipment details. The inspection body will assess the products against the relevant standards and issue a CoC if they comply.
For hair products, the inspection typically involves a review of the product formulation against the applicable cosmetics regulations, including a check for prohibited substances and concentration limits. The inspection body may also review the product labelling to confirm compliance with SANS 10137 labelling requirements.
Hair product certifications are typically product-specific. A CoC issued for one shampoo formulation does not cover a different formulation, even if the products are sold under the same brand name. Importers who import multiple hair product formulations should obtain separate CoCs for each formulation.
Cosmetics Importers and the 2026 Deadline
Compliance Planning for Cosmetics Supply Chains
Hair product importers who have been importing without PVoC CoCs must obtain CoCs for all future shipments before 20 September 2026. The cosmetics sector — including hair care products — is one of the regulated product categories under the SABS PVoC programme.
Importers who source hair products from multiple manufacturers should establish certification relationships with each manufacturer's preferred inspection body. The formulation review process for cosmetics can be time-consuming, particularly for products with complex ingredient lists or active chemical ingredients.
CoC Vault provides a centralised digital record of all hair product CoCs. Each CoC PDF is hashed and a permanent verification URL is minted. The verification URL can be included in SAD 500 documentation and shared with clearing agents.
Do hair care products need a PVoC CoC?
Yes. Hair care products including shampoos, conditioners, hair relaxers, hair dyes, and styling products are regulated goods under the SABS PVoC programme. A PVoC CoC from an SABS-accredited inspection body is required before shipment.
Which standards apply to hair products?
The primary standards include SANS 10137 (cosmetics labelling requirements) and the regulations under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act (Act 54 of 1972). The specific requirements depend on the product type and formulation.
Do hair accessories need a PVoC CoC?
Hair accessories without chemical ingredients (clips, bands, brushes) are generally not regulated under the cosmetics provisions of the PVoC programme. Confirm the applicable requirements with an SABS-accredited inspection body.
What HS codes are used for hair products?
Common HS codes include 3305.10 (shampoos), 3305.20 (preparations for permanent waving or straightening), 3305.30 (hair lacquers), and 3305.90 (other preparations for use on the hair).
When does PVoC enforcement become mandatory for hair products?
20 September 2026. From that date, SARS Customs will check for valid PVoC CoCs on all regulated goods, including hair care products.
Continue Learning
Your Hair Product Shipments Need a PVoC CoC
Hair care products are regulated goods. A PVoC 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; SANS 62368-1; SANS 60598; SANS 1841; SANS 1019. 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.