HS 9619.00 covers Sanitary towels, napkins, tampons and similar articles imported into South Africa. Under this six-digit subheading, the customs duty is set at the 8-digit tariff line and ranges from 15% to 45% — the breakdown below (and the scanner) pin down your exact line. 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 9619.00 through Cape Town and OR Tambo with direct FedEx and DHL accounts and paired customs work at both ends. Import VAT of 15% is charged on the added-tax value (ATV), and the worked breakdown below shows the landed cost per tariff line. For an exact, classification-checked landed cost, request a JLog quote.
HS Code 9619.00 covers Sanitary towels, napkins, tampons and similar articles under the South African Harmonised Tariff Schedule. SARS uses this code to classify Sanitary towels, napkins, tampons and similar articles for all import and export customs declarations.
The customs duty is set at the 8-digit tariff line and ranges from 15% to 45% — sanitary towels and pantyliners of textile wadding attract 15% MFN; cellulose-based sanitary pads and most disposable nappies attract 20% MFN; premium disposable nappies and rubber-based absorbent articles attract 40–45% MFN per SARS Schedule No. 1, Part 1. 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.
This tariff heading covers Sanitary towels, napkins, tampons and similar articles. All importers and exporters must use this code on SARS customs declarations (SAD500), commercial invoices, and shipping documents.
To move goods under HS Code 9619.00 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 provides customs clearance for goods under HS Code 9619.00. We handle the full SARS submission — from checking documents to lodging declarations and managing SARS queries.
We also provide DutyCheq — real-time customs clearance tracking so you can monitor your SARS submission status at every step.
Contact JLog: [email protected] | 021 300 6099
Customs duty: set at the 8-digit tariff line — see the breakdown below · VAT: 15% on the ATV
The customs value is the FOB goods value (freight and insurance excluded).
Duty by 8-digit line (SARS Schedule 1):
| 8-digit line | Description | General duty |
|---|---|---|
| 9619.00.02 | Sanitary towels (pads), of wadding of textile materials | 15% |
| 9619.00.03 | Pantyliners, of wadding of textile materials | 15% |
| 9619.00.06 | Other, of wadding of textile materials | 15% |
| 9619.00.11 | Sanitary towels (pads), of paper pulp, paper, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibre | 20% |
| 9619.00.12 | Pantyliners, of paper pulp, paper, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibres | 20% |
| 9619.00.13 | Other, of paper pulp, paper, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibres | 20% |
| 9619.00.15 | Napkins for babies and similar articles of plastics or of other materials of headings 39.0 | 20% |
| 9619.00.21 | Sanitary towels (pads), of other materials of heading 39.01 to 39.14 | 20% |
| 9619.00.23 | Napkin liners for babies or similar articles and tampons of plastics or of other materials | 20% |
| 9619.00.25 | Napkins for babies and similar articles, of knitted or crocheted textile material | 45% |
| 9619.00.30 | Napkins for babies, of woven textile material | 45% |
| 9619.00.35 | Sanitary towels (pads), made up from woven textile materials | 15% |
| 9619.00.41 | Sanitary towels (pads), made up from knitted or crocheted textile material | 20% |
| 9619.00.42 | Pantyliners, made up from knitted or crocheted textile material | 20% |
| 9619.00.45 | Other (excluding sanitary towels (pads) and pantyliners; excluding napkins for babies and | 20% |
| 9619.00.91 | Other, sanitary towels (pads) and pantyliners | 40% |
| 9619.00.99 | Other | 40% |
Not sure which line your product falls under? Check it with the scanner.
Worked example at the 9619.00.25 line (45%) on a R2 000 consignment:
| Customs value (FOB) | R2 000 |
| Customs duty (45% — highest rate, e.g. disposable nappies 9619.00.25/9619.00.30) | R900 |
| ATV = (R2 000 × 1.10) + R900 | R3 100 |
| Import VAT (15% of ATV) | R465 |
| Landed cost before freight | R3 365 |
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
What is HS Code 9619.00 used for?
HS Code 9619.00 is the official tariff code for Sanitary towels, napkins, tampons and similar articles under the South African Harmonised Tariff Schedule. It appears on all customs declarations for these goods.
What duty do I pay on HS Code 9619.00?
The customs duty varies by 8-digit sub-code and ranges from 15% to 45% MFN — no sub-code is free. Verify the correct 8-digit sub-code in SARS Schedule No. 1, Part 1 before clearing. Plus 15% VAT on import. Contact JLog for a full landed cost calculation.
Do I need a customs broker for HS Code 9619.00?
Not legally, but most importers use one to ensure correct filing. JLog can clear goods under HS Code 9619.00 on your behalf.
Last updated: 2026. Source: SARS Harmonised Tariff Schedule.
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
| Item | Rate |
|---|---|
| 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 |