Pre-Export Verification, On Auto: 3 Fast Facts You Need To Know About South Africa’s New Import Verification, Certificates Of Conformity & How To Handle The Paperwork The Easy Way

Did you know that the biggest export for Australia are boomerangs?

They’re also their biggest import…

I’m just kidding — once they’re gone, they’re not coming back, and that’s kind of what I want to talk about today… because starting September 20, 2026, it’s going to be a little harder to get some imports into the country.

At least, if you’re not prepared — they might get sent right back like a boomerang.

Hopefully, none of this is coming as a surprise, since this has been in the works for quite a while already. If you’re an importer, you should be fully informed already.

Just in case you missed something, I’ll hit the highlights really quickly. If you already know this, feel free to skip ahead.

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

Pre-Export Verification For Certain Imports

The short version of the new rules is simple: certain imports, particularly those coming from China, will now require pre-certification before they can cross into South Africa.

While many goods previously had to be tested on arrival to ensure they were safe to enter the country and transport, this caused serious delays and concerns at customs… and it was really bogging down the entire system.

Instead, the new strategy should make importing these items much faster and easier, as long as you’ve planned ahead to get a Certificate of Conformity (CoC).

Rather than being stopped and inspected at customs, each item will come pre-certified, showing that it conforms to specific standards and requirements, and it’s safe to cross the border. If it conforms to the proper norms, it can receive a CoC.

Importantly, items that do not have the proper certification are likely to be returned to the country of origin, not tested at customs and approved or disapproved as they were before.

If you’re not sure which items are on the list, how pre-export verification works, or how to get started on the paperwork, there are some excellent resources online that can help.

Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash

Fast Facts For Easy Importing

While this new process can be a bit of a pain to get up and running, in the long run, it should help us to do more, faster, with less fiddling around at the border.

I fully expect some growing pains and initial complications, as with any large program of this sort — but once it’s all sorted out and figured out, I expect a much more streamlined process in the future.

So the big question still remains: how can we use what we know about the new process and regulations to ensure that our products keep moving smoothly, without delays or returns?

I’ve boiled down the most important points into 3 fast facts every importer should know, so let’s take a look.

1. It’s Not A Letter Of Authority

First and foremost, I’ve seen a lot of confusion related to the current system, with NRCS LoAs, or Letters of Authority.

So let’s clear that up, this new system is entirely separate, and an LoA is not the same as a CoC.

You can think of it like this: the LoA system is designed for electrical appliances, vehicles, and some chemicals, but anything outside of that was initially unregulated.

These new rules cover many of the previously unregulated products, so while you may need either a CoC or an LoA for many products, you should rarely, if ever, need both certifications for a single product.

2. The Program Is Becoming Mandatory

If you’re not already aware, this program has actually been in use since mid-March, though the first few months have been entirely optional.

These optional months are a great way to get everything sorted out before the rules change for real, because once they do, you had better have it all figured out already if you want a seamless transition.

Starting in mid-September, the entire program will become mandatory across a wide range of goods, including cosmetics and toiletries, cookware and kitchenware, furniture, bicycles and sports gear, plastic toys, generators, gas stoves, plumbing supplies, and construction materials.

3. To Get A CoC, Contact A Verified Inspector

This last part is super important — if you haven’t started the process yet, then you need to contact a verified inspection service in the country of origin right away.

You can find more details at the resource website I shared earlier, but the short version is that each product needs to be sampled and approved by a verified team before it crosses the border.

The teams and services that will be available for this will vary a bit based on what you’re importing and where it’s from, but some of the top accredited verification services available so far include CCIC, SGS, or Intertek.

Photo by Docusign on Unsplash

This is an early warning of an imminent change in the regulations, so take the time while you can and get everything sorted out before the actual deadline hits.

Once your goods are at the border, it’s far too late to get them verified, and it’s going to end up costing you more in shipping, storage, and verification than it would otherwise.

A little bit of planning can go a long way when there’s a rule change, and staying one step ahead of the competition can have some other benefits as well.

If you’re lucky, and more importantly, if you’re prepared, then your products can breeze on through, while the competition may be stuck paying for a boomerang journey back to their supplier.