HS 5609.00 covers Code 5609.00 imported into South Africa. Under this six-digit subheading, the General (MFN) customs duty under SARS Schedule 1 is 20%. The customs value is the FOB (free on board) value of the goods — freight and insurance are excluded. Import VAT is then VAT = ((FOB customs value × 1.10) + customs duty) × 15%. JLog is a Cape Town customs clearance specialist, based in Woodstock, that clears consignments under HS 5609.00 through Cape Town and OR Tambo with direct FedEx and DHL accounts and paired customs work at both ends. On a R2 000 declared consignment the duty is about R400 and import VAT about R390, for roughly R2 790 landed before freight. For an exact, classification-checked landed cost, request a JLog quote.
Description: Articles of yarn, strip or the like of heading 54.04 or 54.05, twine, cordage,
rope or cables, not elsewhere specified or included
General duty rate: 20%
VAT: 15% VAT applies at import
Last verified: March 2026 | Get a clearance quote — [email protected]
What Is HS Code 5609.00?
HS Code 5609.00 falls under Wadding and felt in South Africa’s customs tariff schedule (Schedule 1 of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964, as administered by SARS). The Harmonised System code 5609.00 describes: Articles of yarn, strip or the like of heading 54.04 or 54.05, twine, cordage,
rope or cables, not elsewhere specified or included.
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 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 5609.00 (South Africa 2026)
| HS Code | Description | General Duty Rate | VAT on Import |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5609.00 | Articles of yarn, strip or the like of heading 54.04 or 54.05, twine, cordage, rope or cables, not elsewhere specified or included | 20% | 15% VAT applies at import |
The general duty rate applies to goods from countries without a preferential trade agreement with South Africa. Under the SADC EPA, EU-origin goods may qualify for reduced or zero duty. 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 5609.00 into South Africa
- Verify the correct HS code — Confirm 5609.00 is the correct tariff heading for your product. Misclassification causes customs delays and penalties. JLog’s customs team verifies HS codes before you ship.
- Check for import permits — Certain subheadings require permits from SAHPRA, NRCS, or DALRRD. Verify before shipping.
- Prepare your commercial invoice — Must state: product description, HS code, country of origin, declared value, quantity, and incoterms.
- Arrange shipping — 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 clearing agent submits the customs declaration electronically via SARS’s EDI system.
- Pay duty and VAT — Through your SARS RCG account or directly. JLog facilitates this process.
- Release and delivery — JLog arranges final-mile delivery to your Cape Town or South African address once SARS releases the goods.
Documents Required to Import HS Code 5609.00 into South Africa
- Commercial invoice — Full details: goods description, 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 — To claim preferential duty rates (SADC EPA, AfCFTA, AGOA)
- SAD 500 (Bill of Entry) — SARS customs declaration, submitted electronically by your clearing agent
- SARS importer registration — RCG or importer code required
What Does JLog Handle for HS Code 5609.00 Imports?
JLog is a 3PL and customs clearance specialist in Woodstock, Cape Town. For goods under HS Code 5609.00:
- 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
- Real-time shipment tracking at app.jlog.co.za
Last verified: March 2026 | Duty rates sourced from SARS Schedule 1 (Customs and Excise Act, 1964). Rates subject to change — confirm with SARS or JLog before importing.
Get a Quote — Importing Under HS Code 5609.00
Contact JLog for a complete import cost breakdown including duty, VAT, freight, and our clearance fee.
[email protected] | +27 21 300 6099 | jlog.co.za/contact-us/
Import duty, VAT and a worked landed-cost example for HS 5609.00
General customs duty: 20% · VAT: 15% on the ATV
Preferential rates (with a valid origin certificate, e.g. EUR.1): EU/UK: 12% · EFTA: 5% · SADC: Free · AfCFTA: 8%
Duty basis: the General/MFN rate from SARS Schedule 1. The customs value is the FOB goods value (freight and insurance excluded). Only the country of origin, with a valid origin certificate, unlocks a preferential rate.
Worked example — R2 000 declared consignment:
| Customs value (FOB goods value) | R2 000 |
| Customs duty (General): 20% | R400 |
| ATV = (R2 000 × 1.10) + R400 | R2 600 |
| Import VAT (15% of ATV) | R390 |
| Duty + VAT payable | R790 |
| Landed cost before freight | R2 790 |
Duty is charged on the FOB customs value only — freight and insurance are excluded. VAT = ((FOB customs value × 1.10) + customs duty) × 15%. The 10% upliftment does not apply to goods of BLNS/SACU origin (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Eswatini). Freight, insurance and clearing fees are added to the total on top. Figures are indicative; request a quote for an exact, classification-checked landed cost.
Last updated: 4 July 2026
Speak to JLog’s Cape Town customs team: [email protected] · 021 300 6099
Frequently asked questions about HS 5609.00
What is the import duty on HS 5609.00 in South Africa?
Is VAT charged when importing HS 5609.00?
What would it cost to land a R2,000 HS 5609.00 consignment?
Can JLog clear HS 5609.00 through Cape Town?
Which documents are needed to import HS 5609.00?
How long do I have to clear goods into South Africa?
Current SARS duty rates — HS 5609.00
| Item | Rate |
|---|---|
| General duty | 20% |
| SADC preferential | free |
| EU EPA | 12% |
| UK EPA | 12% |
| EFTA | 5% |
| MERCOSUR | 20% |
| AfCFTA | 8% |
| AGOA | See SARS Schedule 4 for AGOA-specific provisions |
| VAT | 15% |
Last verified 26 Jul 2026 from SARS tariff book.
Shipping rates from South Africa — HS 5609.00
| Destination | Carrier | From (ZAR / 10kg) | Transit days |
|---|---|---|---|
| CH | FedEx | 2,054.03 | 3 |
| NZ | FedEx | 2,232.84 | 5 |
| BR | FedEx | 2,883.90 | 8 |
| JP | FedEx | 2,232.84 | 5 |
| CA | FedEx | 2,323.09 | 4 |
| IN | FedEx | 2,189.82 | 8 |
| CN | DHL Express | 5,294.28 | 3 |
| SG | FedEx | 2,232.84 | 5 |
| AE | FedEx | 2,189.82 | 5 |
| NL | FedEx | 2,054.03 | 3 |