HS Codes Chapter 56 — Nonwovens & Ropes

HS Chapter 56 covers wadding, felt and nonwovens; twines; ropes — medical wadding, felt, nonwoven fabric, baler twine and cordage. 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 56 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 56 shipment is held at the port of entry. Agricultural twine under 5607.41 attracts rebate R403; synthetic ropes under 5607.49 do not — specification documents are essential.

Many Chapter 56 sub-headings carry ITAC-administered rebates or preferential duty under AGOA, SADC, EFTA, Mercosur and the UK EPA. Claiming them correctly requires a valid certificate of origin and a matched invoice value.

JLog runs a Cape Town-based customs clearing service for Chapter 56 goods. JLog handles customs clearance — we prepare the SAD500, handle any ITAC or DAFF permitting, 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 56 below, or request a quote for clearing your next consignment.