In March 2026 we reported that the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) had published a proposal for stricter controls on a wide range of imports from China. That proposal centred on a Pre-shipment Verification of Conformity (PVoC) system that would have required Certificates of Conformity (CoC) to be issued in China before goods could be exported to South Africa.
In June we advised that the programme had been put on hold.
We now have clearer information on why the process was halted and what it means for importers.
Why the Programme Was Stopped
According to the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), implementation of the new regulations was suspended following feedback from the World Trade Organization (WTO) and consultations with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China.
The SABS has confirmed that the programme remains on hold until South Africa has fully discharged its obligations under the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT). In practical terms, this means the DTIC and SABS must complete the required international notification and consultation processes before any such measure can be enforced.
Products That Were in the Firing Line
The original proposal targeted many “unregulated” product categories that currently fall outside the compulsory specifications administered by the NRCS. These commonly included:
- Clothing and textiles
- Footwear
- Leather goods and handbags
- Toys
- Baby products
- Kitchenware
The intention was that these goods would need pre-shipment certification in China, with regulatory checks completed before the products left the country of origin.
Current Position for Importers
For the time being, the proposed PVoC / CoC requirement for these unregulated categories is not being enforced. Importers of clothing, footwear, toys, kitchenware and similar goods do not yet face the additional pre-shipment certification burden that was announced earlier this year.
However, two important points remain unchanged:
- Products that already fall under compulsory specifications (VCs) — particularly electrical and electronic goods — still require a valid NRCS Letter of Authority (LOA) before they can be imported and sold.
- The underlying concern about substandard imports has not disappeared. The pause is procedural (linked to WTO obligations), not a change in government policy direction.
What Importers Should Do Now
- Continue to source carefully and request proper quality and safety documentation from suppliers.
- For any product that falls under an existing compulsory specification, ensure you have a valid LOA. The pause on the broader PVoC programme does not affect NRCS requirements.
- Monitor further announcements from the DTIC and SABS. Once South Africa completes its WTO TBT obligations, a revised version of the programme could still be introduced.
- Avoid assuming that the current pause means future controls will never materialise.
At Advanced Technical Services we continue to assist importers with NRCS LOA applications, test report reviews, and overall compliance planning. Even while the broader CoC/PVoC initiative remains on hold, ensuring your regulated products are properly authorised remains the most reliable way to avoid border delays and enforcement action.
We will keep monitoring developments and will publish further updates as soon as new information becomes available.
Email: dion@advancedtechnicalservices.co.za
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