On May 8, 2026, the South African Revenue Service (Sars) released a notice informing all traders that the People’s Republic of China zero-tariff trade scheme officially came into effect on May 1, 2026. It is, however, important to note that some tariff lines are subject to tariff-rate quotas. Sars, in consultation with the Chinese authorities, is finalising the legal framework required for the scheme and is establishing the system to issue Rules of Origin certificates.
Once the necessary legislation is in place, certificates will be issued retrospectively from the effective date of May 1, 2026. Sars is committed to implementing this process smoothly and will update stakeholders on the application procedure and documentation requirements as soon as the system for issuing certificates is operational.
We encourage all traders who wish to participate in the China trade scheme to stay informed and prepare for the upcoming processes.
All queries or requests for clarification should be directed to: rulesoforigin@sars.gov.za.