No qualifying exporter will be left behind
On the first day of June 2026, South Africa's Revenue Service opened a formal gateway for exporters to claim zero-tariff entry into Chinese markets — a benefit China extended to African diplomatic partners earlier this year. The administrative framework, long in preparation, now offers not only a path forward but a bridge backward, allowing goods shipped as early as May 1st to qualify retroactively. In the long arc of South-South trade relations, this moment represents less a sudden shift than a careful institutionalization of possibility — one that rewards those prepared to meet its conditions.
- Exporters who had goods in transit before the paperwork existed now face the urgent question of whether they can still claim benefits they didn't know how to access.
- Uncertainty about how the scheme actually works has left traders in limbo, with some shipments already moving through customs without the required certificates.
- SARS has introduced a temporary security-deposit workaround so goods aren't held hostage while exporters wait for their official certificates to arrive.
- Retroactive certification back to May 1st means the window of opportunity is wider than many traders realized — but only for those who act and qualify.
- Not all products are eligible, and the burden of proof falls entirely on exporters to verify origin, maintain documentation, and avoid costly disqualifications.
South Africa's Revenue Service has completed the legal and operational groundwork for a major trade opportunity: starting June 1st, SARS will issue Rules of Origin certificates that allow qualifying South African exporters to enter Chinese markets duty-free. The offer originated in February, when China extended zero-tariff access to African nations with which it holds diplomatic ties. The certificates themselves are straightforward — printable documents that serve as proof of eligibility at the point of customs clearance.
SARS Commissioner Dr Johnstone Makhubu addressed a concern that had been quietly unsettling the exporter community: what about goods already shipped before the system was ready? His answer was a retroactive provision — certificates will be issued for qualifying shipments that departed or cleared after May 1st, ensuring that no exporter loses the benefit due to administrative timing. For goods currently in transit, a temporary bridge exists: exporters can lodge a financial guarantee with Chinese customs while awaiting their SARS certificate, which is released once the paperwork is submitted.
The agency was equally clear about the limits of the scheme. Not every South African product qualifies — some remain subject to tariffs, quotas, or specific conditions. The zero-tariff treatment depends entirely on meeting the Rules of Origin criteria and presenting a valid SARS certificate. Exporters carry the responsibility of confirming eligibility, keeping documentation in order, and staying current with procedures. Those who don't risk delays or losing the benefit altogether. For guidance, SARS has established a dedicated contact point at rulesoforigin@sars.gov.za — a small but telling detail about where the real work now begins.
South Africa's tax authority has cleared the way for exporters to tap into a sweeping tariff break that China announced earlier this year. The South African Revenue Service, or SARS, said this week that it has finished building the legal and operational machinery needed to run the program—and starting June 1st, it will begin issuing the paperwork that proves goods qualify.
China made the offer in February to African nations with which it maintains diplomatic relations. The zero-tariff arrangement amounts to a significant opening for South African exporters: goods that meet the right criteria can enter Chinese markets without the usual import duties. But the system requires proof. That's where SARS comes in. Beginning next month, the agency will issue what it calls Rules of Origin certificates—simple, printable documents that exporters can use to demonstrate their goods are eligible and claim the tariff preference on the spot.
SARS Commissioner Dr Johnstone Makhubu acknowledged that traders have been uncertain about how the scheme actually works, particularly those with shipments already in transit when the program was announced. To address that concern, SARS is offering something unusual: it will issue certificates retroactively for any qualifying goods that were shipped or cleared after May 1st. This means exporters won't lose the benefit simply because the paperwork wasn't in place when their cargo left the dock. "No qualifying exporter will be left behind," Makhubu said in a statement.
The agency also outlined a temporary workaround for the gap between now and when certificates arrive. Exporters can lodge security—essentially a financial guarantee—with Chinese customs while waiting for their SARS certificate. Once the certificate is obtained and submitted, that security gets released. It's a bridge measure designed to keep goods moving while the administrative machinery settles into place.
But SARS was careful to note that not every product qualifies. Some goods remain subject to tariffs or quotas, and some face specific conditions. The zero-tariff treatment hinges entirely on meeting the Rules of Origin—rules that define what counts as a South African product eligible for the preference—and presenting a valid certificate from SARS. The agency emphasized that exporters bear responsibility for confirming their goods are eligible, maintaining proper documentation of origin, and staying current with SARS procedures. Shipments that don't meet the requirements face the risk of delays or disqualification.
The move reflects SARS's stated commitment to clarity and ease of trade while maintaining the integrity of South Africa's customs system. For exporters seeking to verify their certificates or get answers about eligibility, SARS has set up a dedicated email address: rulesoforigin@sars.gov.za. The real work now falls to traders themselves—to understand which of their products fit the criteria, to gather the right documentation, and to navigate the process carefully enough to capture the benefit.
Notable Quotes
Beginning June 1, SARS is issuing origin certificates retrospectively to cater for qualifying goods that were shipped or cleared after May 1, 2026, so they can still benefit fully from the zero tariffs.— SARS Commissioner Dr Johnstone Makhubu
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Why does South Africa need to issue its own certificates if China is the one offering the tariff break?
Because China needs proof that the goods actually come from South Africa. Without that, any exporter anywhere could claim the preference. SARS is the trusted authority that can verify origin and issue the document China will accept.
So what happens to a shipment that left South Africa in May, before the certificate system was ready?
That's the clever part. SARS will issue the certificate retroactively. The exporter can then submit it to Chinese customs, and the goods get the zero-tariff treatment they should have had all along. It's a way of saying: timing shouldn't punish you for something outside your control.
What if an exporter gets it wrong—ships something that doesn't actually qualify?
Then the shipment either gets held up or faces tariffs anyway. That's why SARS is being so explicit about the rules. They're essentially saying: do your homework first. Confirm with your Chinese buyer that the product qualifies, keep your documentation tight, and follow the process exactly.
Is this a big deal for South African trade?
It could be. China is a massive market, and zero tariffs remove a real cost barrier. But it only works if exporters actually use it—and that requires them to understand the rules and do the work upfront. The system is simple on paper, but execution matters.
What's the security deposit for, exactly?
It's a temporary measure. While an exporter is waiting for their SARS certificate, they can put down money with Chinese customs to show good faith. Once the certificate arrives and is submitted, that money comes back. It keeps goods from getting stuck at the border while paperwork catches up.