An honest 2-page guide covering pricing transparency, lock-in clauses, stock accuracy, returns, customs, and the questions most merchants forget to ask until after they've signed.
What the monthly fee actually includes — and what it doesn't
The exit clause question every 3PL hopes you won't ask
Who pays when a picking error costs you a customer
How to tell if the "integration" is real or a spreadsheet in disguise
One email. The guide. No newsletter unless you ask for one.
12 Questions to Ask Any 3PL Before You Sign
1What does 3PL fulfilment actually cost — in full?
Ask for a full written rate card before you commit. You need: the monthly service fee and what it buys, the per-pallet storage rate, the per-order pick and pack rate, the per-item rate for multi-line orders, intake fees on receiving new stock, and how courier charges are billed. If the provider cannot give you a written rate card within 24 hours, that is your answer.
2Is there a lock-in contract, and what does the exit look like?
Ask for the minimum term, the notice period to terminate, and what happens to your stock if you leave. Month-to-month with 30 days' notice is the standard for e-commerce 3PLs. Watch for auto-renewing annual contracts, termination fees, and stock release fees charged on exit.
3How are pricing changes notified and applied?
Rates change. Ask: how much notice will you receive before a rate increase, and can you exit if you disagree with the new rate? A provider that can change prices with 7 days' notice and no exit right is a pricing risk to your margin structure.
4What is your stock accuracy rate, and who pays when you get it wrong?
Industry standard for picking accuracy is above 99%. Ask what theirs is and how they measure it. Then ask who covers the cost of a wrong pick: the replacement unit, the reshipping cost, and any customer refund. A 3PL that fixes mistakes at their own cost is taking the standard seriously.
5How do you handle returns?
Ask for the full returns flow: how does a return arrive, who receives and inspects it, on what criteria is it restocked vs quarantined vs disposed of, and how quickly does it appear as available stock again? Ask whether returns handling is included in the pick and pack rate or billed separately per return.
6Do you handle imported stock — and can you clear customs too?
Most fulfilment houses receive stock after it clears customs. A 3PL that is also a licensed clearing agent can clear the import and move goods directly to shelf under one job number. This removes a handoff, speeds stock availability, and gives you one point of contact from port to customer.
7Which couriers do you integrate with, and who owns the carrier account?
If the 3PL puts all your shipments through their own carrier account, you cannot see or negotiate rates directly, and switching 3PLs means losing the carrier relationship. Ask whether you can bring your own carrier accounts, and whether you have visibility of actual courier charges line by line.
8Which e-commerce platforms do you actually integrate with right now?
Ask for a live integration list — not a roadmap. Shopify and WooCommerce are table stakes. Takealot, Etsy, and Amazon integrations are more selective. Ask how the integration works (API sync or manual CSV?), who sets it up, and what error-handling looks like when an order fails to sync.
9What stock reporting do I get, and how often?
At minimum you need daily stock-on-hand, weekly order dispatch confirmation, and monthly billing reconciliation. Ask whether reporting is automated or manual, and whether you can query stock levels yourself at any time without raising a ticket.
10What insurance covers my stock while it is in your warehouse?
Your stock is the 3PL's responsibility while in their custody. Ask whether they hold goods-in-storage insurance, what the per-item and aggregate limits are, and whether you need to declare high-value SKUs separately. Ask what the claims process looks like and who initiates it.
11What does onboarding actually look like, and how long does it take?
A well-run 3PL can onboard a new merchant in 5-10 business days given complete stock and SKU data. Ask what you need to provide, who does the setup work, and what the go-live criteria are. If onboarding is described vaguely, expect delays and a rocky start.
12What happens to my stock if I need to leave?
Before you sign, understand the off-ramp. How much notice is required? Who pays the labour to pick and palletise your stock for collection? What is the timeline from notice to stock-out? A provider that makes exit difficult is using your stock as leverage.
HS Code 0707.00 — Quick Reference Description: Cucumbers and gherkins, fresh or chilled General duty rate: 15% VAT: 15% VAT applies at import Last verified: March 2026 | Get a clearance quote — [email protected]
What Is HS Code 0707.00?
HS Code 0707.00 falls under Edible vegetables in South Africa’s customs tariff schedule (Schedule 1 of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964, as administered by SARS). The Harmonised System code 0707.00 describes: Cucumbers and gherkins, fresh or chilled.
The Harmonised System (HS) is an internationally standardised classification system for traded goods, maintained by the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and used by over 200 countries. In South Africa, SARS (South African Revenue Service) applies HS codes to determine the correct import duty rate under the SACU (Southern African Customs Union) common external tariff.
Import Duty Rate — HS Code 0707.00 (South Africa 2026)
HS Code
Description
General Duty Rate
VAT on Import
0707.00
Cucumbers and gherkins, fresh or chilled
15%
15% VAT applies at import
The general duty rate applies to goods imported from countries without a preferential trade agreement with South Africa. Under the SADC EPA, EU-origin goods may qualify for reduced or zero duty rates. Under AfCFTA, qualifying African-origin goods may receive preferential treatment.
Duty is calculated on the FOB customs value (the goods value at the point of loading in the export country; international freight and insurance are not part of the duty base under SARS Method 1). Import VAT is then 15% of the ATV (FOB customs value + 10% uplift for non-SACU origin + non-rebated duty).
How to Import Goods Under HS Code 0707.00 into South Africa
Verify the correct HS code — Confirm 0707.00 is the correct tariff heading for your specific product. Misclassification is one of the most common causes of customs delays and penalties. JLog’s customs team can verify HS codes before you ship.
Check for import permits — Certain subheadings require import permits from regulatory bodies such as SAHPRA, NRCS, or DALRRD. Verify requirements before shipping.
Prepare your commercial invoice — The invoice must state: full product description, HS code, country of origin, declared value, quantity, and incoterms.
Arrange shipping and insurance — JLog uses direct FedEx and DHL accounts for express courier imports. For larger volumes, we arrange air or sea freight.
Submit the Bill of Entry (SAD 500) — your appointed clearing agent submits the customs declaration electronically via SARS’s EDI system. Duty and VAT are calculated and assessed automatically.
Pay duty and VAT — Payment is made through the clearing process or directly by the importer. JLog facilitates this process.
Release and delivery — Once SARS releases the goods, JLog arranges final-mile delivery to your Cape Town or South African address.
Documents Required to Import HS Code 0707.00 into South Africa
Commercial invoice — Full details of goods, declared value, HS code, buyer and seller details
Packing list — Quantities, weights, and dimensions per line item
Bill of lading or airway bill — Carrier shipping document
Certificate of origin — Required to claim preferential duty rates (SADC EPA, AfCFTA, AGOA)
SAD 500 (Bill of Entry) — SARS customs declaration, submitted electronically by your clearing agent
SARS registration — Importer must be registered with SARS Customs (RCG or importer code)
What Does JLog Handle for HS Code 0707.00 Imports?
JLog is a specialist 3PL based in Woodstock, Cape Town. For goods under HS Code 0707.00, we handle the full import chain:
HS code verification and tariff advice before you ship
Commercial invoice and packing list preparation to SARS standards
FedEx or DHL direct account booking for express imports
SAD 500 electronic customs declaration filing
Duty and VAT payment facilitation
SARS query resolution and examination coordination
Final-mile delivery to your Cape Town address via our Woodstock facility
All shipments tracked in real time
Last verified: March 2026 | Duty rates sourced from SARS Schedule 1 (Customs and Excise Act, 1964). Rates are subject to change — confirm with SARS or JLog before importing.
Get a Quote — Importing Under HS Code 0707.00
Contact JLog for a complete import cost breakdown including duty, VAT, freight, and our clearance fee.