HS 9605.00 covers Code 9605.00 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 9605.00 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.
HS Code 9605.00 falls under Miscellaneous manufactured articles in South Africa’s customs tariff schedule (Schedule 1 of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964, as administered by SARS). The Harmonised System code 9605.00 describes: Travel sets for personal toilet, sewing or shoe or clothes cleaning.
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.
| HS Code | Description | General Duty Rate | VAT on Import |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9605.00 | Travel sets for personal toilet, sewing or shoe or clothes cleaning | 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).
JLog is a 3PL and customs clearance specialist in Woodstock, Cape Town. For goods under HS Code 9605.00:
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.
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/
General customs duty: 20% · VAT: 15% on the ATV
Preferential rates (with a valid origin certificate, e.g. EUR.1): EU/UK: Free · EFTA: Free · 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
| Item | Rate |
|---|---|
| General duty | 20% |
| SADC preferential | free |
| EU EPA | free |
| UK EPA | free |
| EFTA | free |
| MERCOSUR | 20% |
| AfCFTA | 8% |
| AGOA | See SARS Schedule 4 for AGOA-specific provisions |
| VAT | 15% |
Last verified 16 Aug 2026 from SARS tariff book.
| Destination | Carrier | From (ZAR / 10kg) | Transit days |
|---|---|---|---|
| CH | FedEx | 2,046.90 | 3 |
| NZ | FedEx | 2,225.08 | 5 |
| BR | FedEx | 2,873.89 | 8 |
| JP | FedEx | 2,225.08 | 5 |
| CA | FedEx | 2,315.03 | 4 |
| IN | FedEx | 2,182.22 | 8 |
| CN | DHL Express | 5,418.29 | 3 |
| SG | FedEx | 2,225.08 | 5 |
| AE | FedEx | 2,182.22 | 5 |
| NL | FedEx | 2,046.90 | 3 |