HS Code 1212.91 — Locust beans, seaweeds and other algae, sugar beet and sugar cane, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground; fruit stones and kernels and other vegetable products

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Quick answer HS 1212.91 — Import duty 20% · VAT 15% on ATV (FOB + 10% uplift + duty) · Clearance via Cape Town, Johannesburg or Durban.
Import duty
20%
on FOB value
Import VAT
15%
on ATV
Duty base
FOB
SARS standard
Clearance
24–48h
Green channel
SARS control  Permit / certificate required
For import to South Africa
  • Agriculture / SPS Certificate (DALRRD) → 1. License issued on authority of the Minister of National Health and Population Development SAPS – SANAB also involved 2. CITES Permit – Ginseng – (Panax Ginseng- – It designates whole and sliced roots and parts of roots, excluding manufactured parts or derivatives such as powders, pills, extracts, tomics, teas and confectionary- only applicable to the population of the Russian Federation no other populations is included in the Appendices) – II Panax quinquefolius – It designates whole and sliced roots and parts of roots, excluding manufactured parts or derivatives such as powders, pills, extracts, tomics, teas and confectionary) – II Issued by Agricultural Pests Act No. 36/1983 No. 36/1983 Proc R.37/1978

HS Code 1212.91: Locust beans, seaweeds and other algae, sugar beet and sugar cane, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground; fruit stones and kernels and other vegetable
products (including unroasted chicory roots of the variety CICHORIUM INTYBUS SATIVUM) of a kind used primarily for human consumption, not elsewhere specified or
included: Sugar beet

HS Code 1212.91 covers Locust beans, seaweeds and other algae, sugar beet and sugar cane, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground; fruit stones and kernels and other vegetable
products (including unroasted chicory roots of the variety CICHORIUM INTYBUS SATIVUM) of a kind used primarily for human consumption, not elsewhere specified or
included: Sugar beet under the South African Harmonised Tariff Schedule. SARS uses this code to classify Locust beans, seaweeds and other algae, sugar beet and sugar cane, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground; fruit stones and kernels and other vegetable
products (including unroasted chicory roots of the variety CICHORIUM INTYBUS SATIVUM) of a kind used primarily for human consumption, not elsewhere specified or
included: Sugar beet for all import and export customs declarations.

Customs Duty Rate

The customs duty rate for HS Code 1212.91 is 20%. Duty is calculated on the FOB customs value (the goods value at the point of loading onto the carrier; international freight and insurance are not part of the duty base). Import VAT is then 15% of the Added Tax Value (ATV) — customs value + 10% uplift (for non-SACU origin; nil for BLNS countries) + non-rebated duty.

What Falls Under HS Code 1212.91?

This tariff heading covers Locust beans, seaweeds and other algae, sugar beet and sugar cane, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground; fruit stones and kernels and other vegetable
products (including unroasted chicory roots of the variety CICHORIUM INTYBUS SATIVUM) of a kind used primarily for human consumption, not elsewhere specified or
included: Sugar beet. All importers and exporters must use this code on SARS customs declarations (SAD500), commercial invoices, and shipping documents.

How to Import or Export Under HS Code 1212.91

To move goods under HS Code 1212.91 across South African borders, you must be registered with SARS as an importer or exporter. JLog’s TradeReady service handles SARS registration. Once registered, a customs declaration is lodged by you or a licensed broker.

JLog Customs Clearance for HS Code 1212.91

JLog provides customs clearance for goods under HS Code 1212.91. We handle the full SARS submission — from checking documents to lodging declarations and managing SARS queries.

We also provide ClearSA — real-time customs clearance tracking so you can monitor your SARS submission status at every step.

Contact JLog: [email protected] | 021 300 6099

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HS Code 1212.91 used for?
HS Code 1212.91 is the official tariff code for Locust beans, seaweeds and other algae, sugar beet and sugar cane, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground; fruit stones and kernels and other vegetable
products (including unroasted chicory roots of the variety CICHORIUM INTYBUS SATIVUM) of a kind used primarily for human consumption, not elsewhere specified or
included: Sugar beet under the South African Harmonised Tariff Schedule. It appears on all customs declarations for these goods.

What duty do I pay on HS Code 1212.91?
The customs duty rate is 20%. Plus 15% VAT on import. Contact JLog for a full landed cost calculation including all applicable levies.

Do I need a customs broker for HS Code 1212.91?
Not legally, but most importers use one to ensure correct filing. JLog can clear goods under HS Code 1212.91 on your behalf.

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

Related JLog Services

JLog provides customs clearance services for goods under this HS code. Our team handles SARS submissions, documentation, and query management.

JLog — Customs Clearance and Logistics Technology, Cape Town

Current SARS duty rates — HS 1212.91

ItemRate
General duty20%
SADC preferentialfree
EU EPAfree
UK EPAfree
EFTA20%
MERCOSUR20%
AfCFTA8%
AGOASee SARS Schedule 4 for AGOA-specific provisions
VAT15%

Last verified 23 Aug 2026 from SARS tariff book.

Shipping rates from South Africa — HS 1212.91

DestinationCarrierFrom (ZAR / 10kg)Transit days
CHFedEx2,701.963
NZFedEx2,271.605
BRFedEx2,933.978
JPFedEx2,271.605
CAFedEx2,363.434
INFedEx2,227.848
CNDHL Express5,437.373
SGFedEx2,271.605
AEFedEx2,227.845
NLFedEx2,140.693

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