✉ [email protected]
☎ 021 300 6099 WhatsApp Track Shipment Client Portal

Licensed Clearing Agent. JLog can file your customs declarations and settle duties & VAT with SARS on your behalf.

HS Codes Chapter 90 — Optical & Precision Instruments

HS Chapter 90 covers optical, photographic, measuring, medical instruments — cameras, microscopes, medical imaging devices, measuring instruments and testing equipment. 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 90 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 90 shipment is held at the port of entry.

JLog coordinates customs clearance for Chapter 90 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 90 below, or request a quote for clearing your next consignment.

HS codes in Chapter 90 — Optical, Medical, Precision

Browse the most-requested HS code pages in this chapter. The full chapter has 160 subheadings — these are the conceptual entry points; each links to the full SARS duty rate, VAT, and permit detail.

What Is HS Chapter 90?

HS Chapter 90 covers the goods classified under Chapter 90 of the South African Harmonised Tariff Schedule. SARS uses these codes for all import and export customs declarations under this chapter.

Common Chapter 90 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 90

Goods in HS Chapter 90 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 90 Goods into South Africa

To import goods classified under Chapter 90 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 90 Goods with JLog

JLog handles the full import and export process for goods in HS Chapter 90 — from freight quotes and carrier booking to customs clearance, SARS submission management, and delivery to your door.

Contact JLog: [email protected] | 021 300 6099

Get a Free Quote →

Frequently Asked Questions

What duty applies to goods in HS Chapter 90?
Duty rates vary by subheading within HS Chapter 90. 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 goods classified under HS Chapter 90?
Permit and compliance requirements vary by HS subheading and end-use within Chapter 90. 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 HS Chapter 90 goods through SARS for me?
Yes. JLog provides full customs clearance for all goods in HS Chapter 90, including document preparation, SARS submission, and query management. Contact us for a quote.

Related JLog Services

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

Typical duty: Free–20% · VAT 15% · 160 codes

Some heading-level and specialised lines have no single ad-valorem rate — confirmed per code at booking.

HS codes in Chapter 90

Most-searched codes first.

Show all 160 Chapter 90 codes
Need Chapter 90 customs clearance in Cape Town?
JLog handles Optical & Precision Instruments consignment clearance daily at ACS, OR Tambo and CTCT. Get a clearing quote

Related chapters

Licensed Clearing Agent