HS Codes Chapter 51 — Wool & Animal Hair

HS Chapter 51 covers wool, fine or coarse animal hair — merino wool, mohair, cashmere, camel hair and other animal hair fibres. For South African importers and exporters clearing through SARS, this chapter sits at the heart of everyday customs work at OR Tambo, Cape Town Container Terminal and Durban Harbour.

Every consignment under Chapter 51 must be declared on a SAD500 using the correct 8-digit tariff heading. The duty rate, rebates and any import permits all follow from that classification. A wrong tariff heading is the single most common reason a Chapter 51 shipment is held at the port of entry.

JLog runs a Cape Town-based customs clearing service for Chapter 51 goods. JLog handles customs clearance — we prepare the SAD500 and clear on the same day the manifest cuts off. Whether you are importing a one-off sample or running a regular container programme, we keep the classification defensible, the duty correct and the warehouse door open.

Browse the most-requested HS codes in Chapter 51 below, or request a quote for clearing your next consignment.

What Is HS Chapter 51?

HS Chapter 51 covers wool, fine or coarse animal hair and horsehair yarn and fabrics under the South African Harmonised Tariff Schedule. SARS uses these codes to classify greasy wool, scoured wool, wool tops, mohair, cashmere, alpaca and wool fabrics for all import and export customs declarations.

Common Chapter 51 HS Codes

Use the JLog HS Code Directory to find the specific code for your product. Each code includes the current import duty rate, VAT treatment, and customs notes.

Import Duty and VAT for HS Chapter 51

Goods in HS Chapter 51 are subject to South African import duty plus 15% VAT on the ATV (FOB customs value + 10% uplift for non-SACU origin + non-rebated duty). Duty rates vary by subheading — check the individual HS code pages or contact JLog for a landed cost calculation.

Importing Chapter 51 Goods into South Africa

To import greasy wool, scoured wool, wool tops, mohair, cashmere, alpaca and wool fabrics into South Africa, you must be registered with SARS as an importer. All goods must be declared on a SAD500 customs declaration. JLog’s TradeReady service handles SARS importer registration, and our customs clearance team manages all SARS submissions.

Shipping Chapter 51 Goods with JLog

JLog handles the full import and export process for goods in HS Chapter 51 — from freight quotes and carrier booking to customs clearance, SARS submission management, and delivery to your door.

Contact JLog: [email protected] | 021 300 6099

Frequently Asked Questions

What duty applies to wool, fine or coarse animal hair and horsehair yarn and fabrics?
Duty rates vary by subheading within HS Chapter 51. Use the HS code search above to find the specific rate, or contact JLog for a customs classification consultation.

Do I need a permit to import greasy wool, scoured wool, wool tops, mohair, cashmere, alpaca and wool fabrics?
Permit and compliance requirements vary by HS subheading and end-use within Chapter 51. Some lines may require ITAC import permits, product compliance certificates or origin certificates to claim a preferential rate. Check the individual HS code page or contact JLog for a per-product check.

Can JLog clear greasy wool, scoured wool, wool tops, mohair, cashmere, alpaca and wool fabrics through SARS for me?
Yes. JLog provides full customs clearance for all goods in HS Chapter 51, including document preparation, SARS submission, and query management. Contact us for a quote.

Related JLog Services

• Customs Clearance South Africa — Full SARS clearance service
• ClearSA — Real-time customs monitoring platform
• TradeReady — SARS importer/exporter registration
• HS Code Directory — Browse all South African tariff codes

Last updated: 2026. Source: SARS Harmonised Tariff Schedule.