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SARS confirms China trade scheme start date and retrospective certificate process

SARS has confirmed that the China trade scheme came into effect on 1 May 2026. Some tariff lines remain subject to tariff-rate quotas, and SARS is still finalising the legal framework and system needed to issue Rules of Origin Certificates. Certificates are expected to be issued retrospectively from 1 May 2026 once the process is operational. Useful for South African traders and agents because it confirms timing but also signals that claims may depend on later-issued origin documentation and further SARS guidance.
11 May 2026 by
SARS confirms China trade scheme start date and retrospective certificate process
Sterdts (Pty) Ltd, Joshua Cronje

SARS has announced that the China trade scheme officially took effect on 1 May 2026. At the same time, SARS says the legal framework and the system for issuing Rules of Origin Certificates are still being finalised with the Chinese authorities.

The notice also states that some tariff lines fall under tariff-rate quotas. Once the required legislation is in place, SARS says certificates will be issued retrospectively from the 1 May 2026 effective date.

Who this affects

This update is most relevant to South African traders, importers, exporters and customs or freight agents handling cargo that may qualify under the China trade scheme.

It may be particularly important where shipment timing, landed cost planning, origin-based tariff treatment or entry documentation depends on whether a valid Rules of Origin Certificate can be obtained.

What it means in practice

The key point is that the scheme start date has been confirmed, but the operational process is not yet fully live. That means businesses should be careful not to assume that every shipment can immediately use the scheme in the same way, especially where tariff-rate quotas or origin documentation requirements may apply.

SARS has indicated that certificates will be issued retrospectively once the framework and issuing system are ready. For traders, this creates a practical timing issue: shipments from the effective date may fall within the scheme, but supporting certificate processes are still pending.

What Sterdts clients should check

  • Check whether your product line may fall under a tariff-rate quota, as the notice says some tariff lines are subject to TRQs.
  • Keep shipment records, commercial documents and origin-supporting paperwork in good order for cargo moving from 1 May 2026 onward.
  • Confirm with your customs clearing team whether any current entries, costings or planning assumptions depend on a Rules of Origin Certificate that is not yet available.
  • If you are planning shipments specifically to use the scheme, monitor SARS updates on the application procedure and documentation requirements before relying on the process operationally.
  • Where timing matters, allow for the fact that retrospective certificate issuance may create an administrative delay even though the scheme effective date has already started.

Important scope note

This is a narrow, date-sensitive update based only on the SARS notice. SARS has not yet published the full application procedure or documentation process for issuing the certificates, and the notice confirms that legal and system implementation is still in progress.

Clients should therefore treat this as a confirmed start-date and process-status update, not as a complete guide to qualification or claiming under the scheme.

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