Importing Furniture & Homeware from China to South Africa
Buying furniture or homeware from a supplier in China? You choose the supplier and place the order. Once your order is ready, JLog takes over: we arrange pickup from your supplier through our freight partners, book the sea freight to Cape Town, clear customs, pay the duties on your behalf and deliver to your door.
We are a SARS-licensed customs clearing agent in Woodstock, Cape Town, and furniture, artwork and ceramics are what we handle every day.
Can I import furniture from China myself?
Yes. Retailers, interior designers, guest houses and private buyers all do it.
If you are buying for your own home, you can import goods worth up to R150,000 in a calendar year without registering as an importer. Above that, or if the goods are for a business or for resale, you need an importer’s code from SARS. We can tell you which applies to you.
What you do need is someone to move the goods and clear them through customs on this side. That is our part.
Who does what
| Finding a supplier, placing and paying for the order | You |
| Checking the quality of the goods before they leave | You or your supplier |
| Packing the goods and having them ready for collection | Your supplier |
| Pickup from your supplier and transport to the port | JLog, through our freight partners |
| Chinese export paperwork | Your supplier and our freight partners |
| Sea freight from China to Cape Town | JLog, through our freight partners |
| South African customs clearance, duties and VAT | JLog |
| Collection from the port, delivery, unpacking and placement | JLog |
| Storage in Cape Town if you are not ready for the goods | JLog |
We do not source goods, check quality or monitor production in China, and we have no warehouse there. Ask your supplier whether their price is “EXW” (collected from the factory) or “FOB” (delivered to the ship) and tell us which, so we quote from the right point.
China’s main furniture regions
Foshan and Shunde (Guangdong)
The centre of China’s furniture industry, with thousands of factories making upholstered and wooden furniture.
Guangzhou
Home of the Canton Fair, held every spring and autumn, where many South African retailers and designers place orders.
Shanghai
A major export port, with many higher-end and contemporary furniture makers nearby.
Yiwu
Known for small goods, home décor and gift items.
Sea freight from China to Cape Town
Goods usually leave from Shanghai, Shenzhen or Guangzhou. Allow about 25 to 35 days at sea, plus time at the ports on both sides.
Full container
You have a 20-foot or 40-foot container to yourself. This suits a full house or shop order.
Shared container
Your goods travel in a container with other shipments and you pay for the space you use. This suits a few pieces or a smaller order.
Freight rates change from week to week, so we quote each shipment. Send us your supplier’s packing list and we will come back to you. We reply within 4 business hours; a sea freight quote takes a little longer because we request live rates.
Duties and VAT on furniture from China
South Africa has no trade agreement with China, so goods made in China pay the standard rate of duty. The rate depends on the tariff code of each item, and some products also carry extra anti-dumping duties.
Two amounts are charged:
- Customs duty, worked out on the value of the goods (the price your supplier charges before shipping).
- Import VAT of 15%, worked out on that value plus 10%, plus the duty.
Check your own figures before you order:
Send us your supplier’s invoice and we will confirm the tariff codes and the amount to budget for before the goods leave China.
How it works
Frequently asked questions
Importing furniture or homeware from China?
Send us your supplier’s invoice and packing list. We will tell you the duties, quote the freight and handle everything from your supplier’s door to yours.
★ 4.8 rating on Google · SARS-licensed customs clearing agent · Own delivery crew in Cape Town · Reply within 4 business hours
What to have ready
- Supplier’s invoice
- Packing list with sizes and weights
- Supplier’s address in China
- Your delivery address
Your quote request
Fill in what you know. We reply within 4 business hours.