HS Code 6911.10 — Porcelain Tableware & Kitchenware | South Africa Import Duty

HS code: 691110 · Chapter: 69 · Heading: 6911 · Latest reporting year: 2025 · Group: Ceramics & Tableware

At a glance

• South Africa exported $21.34M worth of Tableware and kitchenware under HS 691110 in 2025.
• South Africa imported $77.22M worth of the same goods in 2025.
• The 2025 trade balance is a $55.88M deficit.
• Top export destinations: Namibia, Eswatini, Botswana.
• Top import origins: China, Germany, India.
• MFN import duty: 30% (per SARS Schedule No. 1, Part 1, heading 69.11) plus 15% VAT on ATV. Free under SADC, EU EPA and UK EPA preferential origin.

What HS 691110 covers

HS 691110 is the six-digit Harmonised System code for Tableware and kitchenware; of porcelain or china. It sits within Chapter 69 (heading 6911) of the World Customs Organisation tariff structure that South Africa applies through SARS as the SACU common external tariff. The HS6 level is the most granular code shared internationally — your country may add two or four further digits for its national tariff (in South Africa, the full eight-digit code is the SARS tariff line).

Importers and exporters use this code on every customs declaration: Bill of Entry SAD500, commercial invoice, and packing list. Getting the HS code right is the single biggest determinant of the duty rate you pay, the permits you need, and whether your shipment clears Customs at the first attempt.

South Africa trade flows under HS 691110

The table below shows annual South African trade values reported to UN Comtrade for HS 691110. All figures are in USD, sourced directly from the UN Comtrade API (reporterCode=710, partnerCode=0 — World aggregate).

In 2025, reported net weight on exports was 6.27M kg and imports 106.17M kg — useful context when sizing containers and air uplift.

Where the trade goes

Top 10 export destinations — 2025

Top 10 import origins — 2025

Customs and compliance specifics

• South African tariff lookup: Search the SARS Schedule 1 Part 1 tariff book for the eight-digit line that starts with 691110. The duty rate, VAT (15%), and any rebates or surcharges live on the eight-digit line, not the six-digit HS code.
• Bill of Entry SAD500: This code is what your clearing agent enters into the Customs Procedure Code (CPC), Tariff Heading, and Statistical fields. The HS6 must match what you put on the commercial invoice.
• Origin documents: If you are exporting under AGOA, SADC, SACU-EFTA, EU EPA, UK EPA, or Mercosur preferences, the certificate of origin and supplier declaration reference the HS code. A wrong code voids the preference.
• Permits: Some HS codes in this range may require ITAC import permits, SAPS firearms control board sign-off, DALRRD agriculture permits, or CITES wildlife trade certificates. Check the SARS Prohibited and Restricted Imports list before shipping.

How JLog helps with HS 691110

White-glove fragile handling for ceramics and glassware, specialist crating for porcelain and crystal, breakage-rate tracking, and tableware-industry export expertise — including lane planning for furniture-store distributions and gallery boutiques.

Freight modes we use for this lane: Ocean LCL with timber crating, road freight.

JLog is a specialist South African 3PL based in Cape Town, with direct accounts with FedEx, DHL Express, MDS Collivery, Bob Go, and 11 domestic couriers. We are the official carrier for the Investec Cape Town Art Fair and handle inbound and outbound flows for e-commerce merchants, manufacturers, galleries, and freight forwarders across Southern Africa.

Calculate your import duty & VAT — free JLog calculator

To get a quote for HS 691110 shipments — including duty-line modelling, container consolidation, and customs entry — contact us at info@jlog.co.za or +27 21 300 6099.

Frequently asked questions

What is HS code 691110?

HS 691110 is the six-digit Harmonised System tariff code for Tableware and kitchenware; of porcelain or china. It is the internationally standardised code used on customs declarations, certificates of origin, and shipping documentation worldwide.

How much duty do I pay on HS 691110 in South Africa?

The MFN import duty rate on HS 6911.10 (tableware and kitchenware of porcelain or china) is 30%, per SARS Schedule No. 1, Part 1, heading 69.11. South Africa applies this as the SACU common external tariff, plus 15% VAT on the customs value. Preferential rates: free under SADC, EU EPA and UK EPA; 27% under MERCOSUR; 12% under AfCFTA. The duty rate sits on the eight-digit SARS tariff line that starts with 691110 — confirm the 8-digit classification for your specific product before entry. Contact JLog for a duty estimate on your specific cargo.

Which countries does South Africa trade HS 691110 with?

South Africa’s top export destinations for HS 691110 include Namibia, Eswatini, Botswana. Top import origins include China, Germany, India.

Do I need a permit to import or export under HS 691110?

Some HS codes in this range require ITAC import permits, SAPS clearance, DALRRD agriculture certificates, or CITES wildlife trade permits. JLog’s customs desk will check the SARS Prohibited and Restricted Imports list and the ITAC permit register before quoting the shipment.

Related JLog guides

• HS 6911 10 tableware and kitchenware of porcelain or china south africa import export
• HS 6911 10 tableware and kitchenware
• HS code 6911 10
• Ceramics HS 69
• HS code 6910 10
• Chapter 69