How Long Does CoC Registration Take on CoC Vault?

CoC Vault Registration: 10–15 Minutes

What the Registration Process Involves

The CoC Vault registration process has four steps: (1) upload the CoC PDF to the minting station; (2) complete the metadata form (reference number, issuing body, issue date, HS code, importer name, manufacturer name, country of origin, applicable SANS standards, CIF value); (3) review the SHA-256 hash displayed on screen; (4) pay the minting fee via Stripe.

Each step takes a few minutes. The PDF upload is typically the fastest step — the SHA-256 hash is calculated in the browser as the file is uploaded. The metadata form takes 3–5 minutes to complete. The Stripe payment takes 1–2 minutes.

After payment is confirmed, the verification URL is available immediately. The confirmation email with the URL and QR code is sent within a few minutes.

Pre-Shipment Inspection: 2–4 Weeks

What Drives the Inspection Timeline

The pre-shipment inspection by the SABS-accredited inspection body is the longest step in the compliance process. For a first-time certification, the timeline is typically 2–4 weeks from engaging the inspection body to receiving the CoC PDF.

The inspection timeline depends on several factors: the product category (products requiring laboratory testing take longer than products requiring only a physical inspection); the inspection body's workload; the supplier's availability for the inspection; and the complexity of the applicable SANS standards.

For repeat certifications of the same product model, the timeline is shorter because the inspection body already has the product's test data on file. Some inspection bodies can issue repeat CoCs within a few days for products with established compliance histories.

Total Lead Time: 3–6 Weeks

Planning Your Compliance Timeline

For a first-time certification, the total lead time from engaging an inspection body to having a registered CoC on CoC Vault is typically 3–6 weeks. This includes the inspection body engagement (1–2 days), the pre-shipment inspection (2–4 weeks), and the CoC Vault registration (10–15 minutes).

Importers who are new to PVoC should factor this lead time into their procurement and shipping schedules. Do not plan to ship goods within 2 weeks of engaging an inspection body for the first time — the inspection will not be complete in time.

With 140 days until the 20 September 2026 enforcement deadline (as of 3 May 2026), there is still time to establish a compliance process. But the window is narrowing — importers who have not yet engaged an inspection body should do so immediately.

After Registration

What Happens Next

After the CoC is registered on CoC Vault, share the verification URL with your clearing agent. The clearing agent includes the URL in the SAD 500 documentation submitted to SARS Customs. The entire process — from inspection to customs clearance — is complete.

For subsequent shipments of the same product, the inspection body can issue a new CoC more quickly because the product's test data is already on file. The CoC Vault registration for each new shipment takes the same 10–15 minutes.