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Where Do I Buy a Certificate of Conformity for SA Imports?
You do not buy a Certificate of Conformity — you earn it through inspection. An accredited inspection body in China (CCIC, SGS, Intertek, or Bureau Veritas) inspects your goods and issues the CoC if they meet South African standards. You then register the CoC on cofc to get the permanent verification URL your clearing agent needs for the SAD500.
There is no shortcut. A CoC that was not issued after a genuine inspection is not a valid CoC and will not pass SARS Customs verification.
Quick Facts
Can You Buy a CoC?
No — it must be earned through inspection
Who Issues the CoC
CCIC, SGS, Intertek, or Bureau Veritas in China
Where to Register
cofc (certificatesofconformity.co.za)
Mandatory From
20 September 2026
What You Get
Permanent verification URL for SAD500
Mandatory Deadline
20 Sep 2026 · 140 Days
Why You Cannot Buy a CoC
It Must Be Earned Through Inspection
A Certificate of Conformity is a document issued by an accredited inspection body after they have physically inspected your goods and confirmed that they meet the applicable South African National Standards (SANS codes). The inspection is the basis of the certificate. Without a genuine inspection, there is no valid CoC.
A CoC that was purchased without inspection — or that was issued by a body not designated by SABS — is not a valid PVoC CoC. SARS Customs and the BMA verify the CoC by checking the verification URL in the SAD500. A fraudulent CoC will not pass this verification.
Who Issues the CoC
The Four Designated Inspection Bodies
The SABS has designated four inspection bodies to conduct PVoC inspections: CCIC (China Certification & Inspection Group), SGS, Intertek, and Bureau Veritas. All four have offices in China and can inspect goods at your supplier's premises or at a designated inspection point.
Contact one of these bodies, arrange an inspection before your goods are loaded, and receive the CoC PDF after the inspection is complete.
Where to Register the CoC
cofc — The Independent Vault
After receiving the CoC PDF from the inspection body, register it on cofc (certificatesofconformity.co.za). cofc computes a SHA-256 hash of the document and issues a permanent verification URL. Give that URL to your clearing agent for the SAD500. Registration costs R1,997 one-time onboarding plus a tiered minting fee per CoC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions
How much does the inspection cost?
Inspection fees vary by inspection body, product category, and shipment value. Contact CCIC, SGS, Intertek, or Bureau Veritas for a quote. The inspection fee is separate from the cofc registration fee (R1,997 onboarding + tiered minting fee).
Can I get a CoC without inspection?
No. A CoC that was not issued after a genuine inspection by a SABS-designated inspection body is not a valid PVoC CoC. SARS Customs and the BMA verify the CoC by checking the verification URL in the SAD500. A fraudulent CoC will not pass this verification and the goods will be held.
What if my supplier provides a CoC?
If your supplier provides a CoC, verify that it was issued by one of the four SABS-designated inspection bodies (CCIC, SGS, Intertek, or Bureau Veritas) and that it covers the specific shipment you are importing. A CoC issued by a non-designated body or for a different shipment is not valid.
How do I verify a CoC is genuine?
A CoC registered on cofc has a permanent verification URL. Visit the URL to see all CoC metadata: issuing body, issue date, HS code, SANS standards, and SHA-256 hash. If the CoC was registered on cofc, the verification page will confirm its authenticity. If there is no verification URL, the CoC has not been registered and cannot be verified.
Continue Learning
The PVoC Programme
Full regulatory context for the SABS PVoC programme.
Certificate of Conformity Guide
What a CoC is and how the vault works.
CCIC Inspection Process
How the CCIC inspection works step by step.
Already Paid SGS — Why Pay cofc Too?
Why you need both the inspection body and the vault.
I Was Told I Need a CoC — What Does That Mean?
The full explanation.
Register your import CoC on cofc after the inspection.
Engage an inspection body in China, receive the CoC PDF, then register on cofc to get the permanent verification URL for the SAD500.
Sources: Government Gazette No. 54374 (20 March 2026); Standards Act 8 of 2008. 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.