Licensed Clearing Agent. JLog can file your customs declarations and settle duties & VAT with SARS on your behalf.
HS Codes Chapter 18 — Cocoa
HS Chapter 18 covers cocoa and cocoa preparations — cocoa beans, cocoa butter, chocolate blocks and chocolate products. 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 18 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 18 shipment is held at the port of entry.
JLog coordinates customs clearance for Chapter 18 goods moving through Cape Town. We prepare the SAD500, manage the submission to SARS, and keep your classification defensible and your duty correct. Whether you are importing a one-off sample or running a regular container programme, we handle the paperwork so your consignment keeps moving. Browse the most-requested HS codes in Chapter 18 below, or request a quote for clearing your next consignment.
Typical duty: Free–21% · VAT 15% · 16 codes
Some heading-level and specialised lines have no single ad-valorem rate — confirmed per code at booking.
HS codes in Chapter 18
Most-searched codes first.
- 1806.31 — Chocolate and chocolate preparations — filled, in blocks, slabs or …
- 1806.90 — Other chocolate preparations
- HS 1806.31 Filled Chocolate Bars — South Africa Import Guide
- 1801.00 — Cocoa beans, whole or broken, raw or roasted
- 1802.00 — Cocoa shells, husks, skins and other cocoa waste
- 1803.10 — Cocoa paste, whether or not defatted: Not defatted
- 1803.20 — Cocoa paste, whether or not defatted: Wholly or partly defatted
- 1804.00 — Cocoa butter, fat and oil
- 1805.00 — Cocoa powder, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter
- 1806.10 — Cocoa powder, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter
- 1806.10.05 — Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa: Preparat…
- 1806.10.90 — Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa: Other
- 1806.20 — Other preparations in blocks, slabs or bars of a mass exceeding 2 k…
- 1806.20.10 — Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa: Chocolat…
- 1806.20.90 — Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa: Other
- 1806.32 — Chocolate and chocolate preparations — not filled, in blocks, slabs…
JLog handles Cocoa consignment clearance daily at ACS, OR Tambo and CTCT. Get a clearing quote
Related chapters
What Is HS Chapter 18?
HS Chapter 18 covers cocoa and cocoa preparations including cocoa powder, cocoa butter and chocolate products under the South African Harmonised Tariff Schedule. SARS uses these codes to classify cocoa beans, cocoa powder, cocoa butter, chocolate, chocolate bars and cocoa-based confectionery for all import and export customs declarations.
Common Chapter 18 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 18
Goods in HS Chapter 18 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 18 Goods into South Africa
To import cocoa beans, cocoa powder, cocoa butter, chocolate, chocolate bars and cocoa-based confectionery into South Africa, you must be registered with SARS as an importer. All goods must be declared on a SAD500 customs declaration. JLog’s DutyCheq service handles SARS importer registration, and our customs clearance team manages all SARS submissions.
Shipping Chapter 18 Goods with JLog
JLog handles the full import and export process for goods in HS Chapter 18 — 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 cocoa and cocoa preparations including cocoa powder, cocoa butter and chocolate products?
Duty rates vary by subheading within HS Chapter 18. 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 cocoa beans, cocoa powder, cocoa butter, chocolate, chocolate bars and cocoa-based confectionery?
Permit and compliance requirements vary by HS subheading and end-use within Chapter 18. 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 cocoa beans, cocoa powder, cocoa butter, chocolate, chocolate bars and cocoa-based confectionery through SARS for me?
Yes. JLog provides full customs clearance for all goods in HS Chapter 18, including document preparation, SARS submission, and query management. Contact us for a quote.
Related JLog Services
- Customs Clearance South Africa — Full SARS clearance service
- DutyCheq — Real-time customs monitoring platform
- DutyCheq — SARS importer/exporter registration
- HS Code Directory — Browse all South African tariff codes
Last updated: 2026. Source: SARS Harmonised Tariff Schedule.