Import Duty, VAT and Landed Cost in South Africa

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Last updated: May 2026

When you bring stock into South Africa you pay two charges on top of the product price: customs duty (a percentage set by the product’s HS code) and import VAT at 15%. Together with freight and clearing, these make the “landed cost” of an imported item commonly 20–60% higher than its purchase price — and for high-duty goods like clothing, far more. This page shows exactly how that is calculated, lets you estimate your own landed cost, and explains the rules a foreign brand needs to know before shipping a single box.

For exact HS-code rates, currency conversion and SACU options, use the full import duty calculator.

How import costs are calculated in South Africa

SARS works it out in a fixed order:

1. CIF value = cost of the goods + insurance + freight to the South African port. This is the customs value everything else is based on.
2. Customs duty = CIF × the duty rate for your product’s HS code.
3. Import VAT = (CIF + duty) × 15%. Note VAT is charged on the duty too, not just the goods.
4. Total landed cost = CIF + duty + VAT + clearing and handling.

So duty and VAT compound: a high duty rate also inflates the VAT, which is why product category matters so much to your margin.

What is the import duty rate for my product?

Duty is set by your product’s HS (tariff) code, and rates run from 0% to 45%. These category figures are typical, not exact — always confirm the precise rate against your HS code:

Look up your exact duty rate by HS code — South Africa uses over 10,000 tariff lines, and a few digits change the rate.

How much is import VAT in South Africa?

Import VAT is 15%, charged on the CIF value plus the duty. Two things foreign sellers should know: goods valued under R500 are exempt from duty and VAT, and if you are not a registered South African VAT vendor you generally cannot claim the import VAT back — so it becomes a real cost rather than a credit, and has to be priced into your retail price.

A worked example

Say you import a clothing range from abroad: R100,000 of goods, R8,000 freight, R1,500 insurance. CIF is R109,500. Clothing duty is around 45%, so duty is about R49,275. VAT is 15% of (R109,500 + R49,275) = about R23,816. Before clearing, your landed cost is roughly R182,600 — about 83% above what the goods cost you. The same R100,000 in original artwork (0% duty) lands for about R125,600. Same money, very different outcome — which is why checking the rate before you source is critical. Try your own numbers in the calculator above.

How JLog helps you land stock affordably

The cheapest way to sell into South Africa is rarely to ship each order across the border and pay customs on every parcel. It is to import in bulk, clear once, hold stock locally and fulfil domestic orders from Cape Town. JLog runs that whole chain — we estimate your landed cost up front, arrange a compliant import route, clear your goods, warehouse them in Woodstock and fulfil your South African orders. See how the full service works on our selling into South Africa page.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate import duty in South Africa?

Find your product’s HS code and its duty rate, multiply it by the CIF value (goods + insurance + freight), then add 15% VAT on the CIF-plus-duty total.

Is there import VAT on goods coming into South Africa?

Yes — 15%, charged on the CIF value plus duty. Goods under R500 are exempt.

Can I claim the import VAT back?

Only if you are a registered South African VAT vendor. A non-resident seller who is not VAT-registered cannot reclaim it, so it becomes a cost.

What is the duty rate on clothing imported into South Africa?

Clothing and textiles carry some of the highest rates, up to about 45%, set by the specific HS code.

Can JLog handle the import and clearing for me?

Yes — JLog arranges a compliant import route, clears your goods, and fulfils your South African orders.

Estimate your landed cost above, then get the exact figure. Email [email protected] or call 021 300 6099 for a confirmed HS code and quote.

See also: South Africa HS codes & tariff directory · Import duty calculator (full DutyCheq scanner) · Selling into South Africa — full fulfilment and customs guide · Importer of record in South Africa · Importing into South Africa