Why Is There a Certificate of Conformity for Imports — I Thought CoCs Were for Property?

The History of the Import CoC

Why South Africa Introduced the PVoC Programme

South Africa introduced the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme to address a growing problem: substandard goods from Mainland China entering the South African market without meeting applicable safety standards. The programme requires that Phase 1 goods be inspected and certified by an accredited inspection body in China before they leave the country.

The programme was gazetted in Government Gazette No. 54374 on 20 March 2026 under the Standards Act 8 of 2008. Phase 1 covers five product categories: solar PV products, furniture, cosmetics and toiletries, children's toys, and electrical appliances. The mandatory enforcement date is 20 September 2026.

The programme is administered by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS). The four inspection bodies designated by SABS are CCIC (China Certification & Inspection Group), SGS, Intertek, and Bureau Veritas — all of which have offices in China and can conduct pre-export inspections.

Why the Abbreviation Confusion Exists

Two Unrelated Documents, Same Three Letters

The abbreviation CoC is used for both the import Certificate of Conformity and the property Certificate of Compliance because both certify conformity or compliance with a set of standards. The import CoC certifies that goods conform to South African product safety standards. The electrical CoC certifies that an electrical installation complies with the Wiring Code (SANS 10142-1).

The property Certificate of Compliance has been in use in South Africa for decades and is well-known to property buyers, sellers, and estate agents. The import Certificate of Conformity is newer — gazetted in 2026 — and many importers initially assume it must be related to the document they already know. It is not.

The two documents are governed by completely different legislation (Standards Act vs Occupational Health and Safety Act), administered by completely different bodies (SABS vs Department of Employment and Labour), issued by completely different entities (inspection bodies in China vs registered electricians in South Africa), and serve completely different purposes (import compliance vs property electrical safety).

What the Import CoC Covers

Phase 1 Scope and Requirements

Phase 1 of the PVoC programme covers five product categories from Mainland China: solar PV products (panels, inverters, batteries), furniture (office chairs, mattresses, upholstered furniture, children's furniture), cosmetics and toiletries (skin care, hair products, colour cosmetics), children's toys (plastic toys, soft toys, educational toys), and electrical appliances (LED lighting, small household appliances).

The CoC requirement applies to goods originating from Mainland China. It does not apply to goods from Hong Kong SAR, Taiwan, or other countries unless those goods were manufactured in Mainland China and re-exported. Phase 2 will expand the programme to additional product categories and countries of origin — the gazette will specify the scope when Phase 2 is announced.

What Happens If You Confuse the Two

The Cost of Assuming the Wrong CoC Applies

Importers who assume their property Certificate of Compliance satisfies the import CoC requirement will find their Phase 1 shipments held at South African ports from 20 September 2026. The property CoC has no relevance to import compliance. SARS Customs and the BMA verify the import CoC by checking the verification URL in the SAD500 — a property CoC provides no such URL.

The cost of a held shipment is significant. Under the Customs and Excise Act, goods imported without a valid CoC are liable to detention under Section 88(1)(a) and forfeiture under Section 87(1). Demurrage at Maersk OOG rates for Durban Container Terminal runs ZAR 6,693 per container per day. A five-day hold on a single container costs over R33,000 in demurrage alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions About the CoC Naming Confusion