Africa blocked from restricting below-standard Chinese imports flooding into the country
Author: SAFLA Communications
The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) has announced that the development of a programme to halt the importation of substandard goods into South Africa has been put on hold.
It said the decision was taken in collaboration with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) to allow further consultation and review. (Pictured: Parks Tau, Minister of Trade and Industry.)
The SABS said the programme’s implementation was halted following feedback from the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and consultations with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China.
The DTIC published a proposal for Pre-shipment Verification of Conformity (PVoC) in March, which would have required a wide range of products imported from China to obtain a special certification.
The decision stemmed from concerns growing in South Africa that unregulated products imported from China do not meet local quality standards.
Only “certain unregulated products” would have required the new certification, with a list of product types to be released at a later date.
The list would have included products that are not subject to compulsory specifications to the respective national regulator, which included popularly imported Chinese goods.
“Unregulated” products often imported into South Africa from China include clothing and textiles, footwear, leather goods, handbags, toys, baby products, and kitchenware.
For example, baby clothing in South Africa must have labels that accurately list the fibre content and must include care labelling, such as wash and care symbols, as well as thermal hazard warnings.
These products must now “be accompanied by a Certificate of Conformity confirming compliance with identified applicable South African National Standards (SANS) or recognised reference standards.”
Importantly, the certificates must be issued before exporting, meaning regulatory checks will have to be conducted in China before the product leaves the country.
The Border Management Agency and the South African Revenue Service will then oversee enforcement of the new requirements at local borders.
These organisations will have to coordinate with the corresponding authorities in China, which include the China Certification & Inspection Group.
World Trade Organisation blocks South African crackdown
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has been on a working visit to China since 20 June 2026. Here he is on a guided tour of the South Africa Commodity China Exhibition and Trade Centre (SACC).
The DTIC said Chinese importers and exporters would have had 6 months to plan for the changes, with the requirements originally set to take effect on 20 September 2026.
“In accordance with South Africa’s obligations under the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), a reasonable interval is provided between publication and entry into force,” it stated.
Following feedback from the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and consultations with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China and industry stakeholders, the proposal is now on hold.
“The proposed programme will remain on hold pending the resolution of the WTO TBT process and the conclusion of further consultations and reviews,” the SABS said.
“As part of the review process, exporter registration and onboarding activities will not proceed at this stage.”
Inspection, verification, certification and related implementation-readiness activities associated with the proposed programme will also remain on hold until further notice.
Existing regulatory, customs and import requirements applicable in South Africa remain unchanged and continue to apply.
“The review process will consider WTO member comments, stakeholder submissions, diplomatic engagements, and implementation considerations,” the SABS stated.
Blake Mosley-Lefatola, the acting chief executive officer of SABS, said the decision reflected the importance of ensuring the proposed framework aligned with South Africa’s international trade obligations.
“The feedback from the consultation process has been valuable and underscores the need to carefully consider all submissions and engagements,” Mosley-Lefatola stated.
“The additional consultation period will help ensure that the proposed framework is practical, transparent and responsive to stakeholder concerns.”
Mosley-Lefatola said the SABS encouraged stakeholders to continue sharing their comments, recommendations and input as part of the process.
He said the SABS remained committed to working closely with government, industry and other stakeholders throughout the review process.
“Our objective remains to develop an implementation framework that supports consumer protection, promotes fair trade, strengthens regulatory compliance and facilitates legitimate trade,” he said.
