Do you want to import from China to South Africa?

Are you looking for the cheapest way to import products from China to South Africa?

Then you’re not alone. As we know that China has become the greatest market for sourcing any kind of products worldwide at the best prices.

And, according to freshly issued data from China’s customs office, trade between China and Africa reached a new record last year.

Still, many importers fail to successfully import high-quality goods from China. Why? It is because they don’t have a clear understanding of the requirements to import items successfully. Are you also one of them?

No worries anymore. In this blog, we’ll explain everything you must know to import from China to South Africa. So, be sure to read the article till the end.

Let’s get straight into it!

Table of Content

Chapter 1: Which Products Can You Import from China to South Africa?

Chapter 2: How Long does it Take to Import from China to South Africa?

Chapter 3: Possible Risks & Problems Involved While Importing from China to South Africa

Chapter 4: FAQs about Import from China to South Africa

Chapter 1: Which Products Can You Import from China to South Africa?

Are you wondering why to import from China to South Africa?

If you live in South Africa, there’s a good chance that you’ve invested in some products that were originally manufactured in China. Why? Because China is a huge exporter of goods to South Africa.

The United Nations COMTRADE reports that the top exports from China to South Africa are worth 15.22 Billion dollars.

The Chinese export a lot of products to South Africa including toys, machinery, automobile, clothes, jewelry, beauty products, and the list goes on.

In reality, you can import almost every kind of product from China to South Africa. And, the list of prohibited items is relatively limited and largely consists of products that make sense.

Simply avoid bringing in weapons, narcotics, poisonous chemicals, or counterfeit goods, and you should be fine.

Based on our research, we have found the following most popular products that China exports to South Africa. So, let’s find out!

1. Import cars from China to South Africa

Because South Africa lacks car manufacturing companies, they import them from China. China is a renowned car manufacturing economy that meets the needs of other countries like South Africa.

These cars arrive on special cargo ships that are capable of carrying a massive load of cars.

The ships that transport automobiles or luggage on wheels are regarded as roll-on/roll-off container ships. Because such ships got ramps that allow the car to easily roll on and off the ship.

Not to mention, cars priced above R200,000 are subject to up to 70% import duty from China. So, it makes imported vehicles from China more expensive than locally assembled cars.

2. Import electronics items from China to South Africa

The most common types of electronic products China exports to South Africa include television sets, computers, refrigerators, phones, radios, and many more.

When transporting electronics items from China to South Africa, air freight is the best option.

Why?

Electronics products are fragile and should be delivered to the customer as soon as possible and in perfect condition. Therefore, the majority of exporters favor the use of air freight because it is faster and more reliable.

3. Import Bags from China to South Africa

Bags are also one of the best imports from China to South Africa. China is one of the world’s largest producers of designer bags of the greatest quality.

Because of the huge demand for the goods, South Africa imports bags from China in large containers. And, many importers use a transportation mode of Full Container Load (FCL) to import bags from China to South Africa.

4. Import clothes & wedding dresses from China to South Africa

Wedding dresses are another important import from China to South Africa. China supplies a variety of wedding gowns to South Africa— each with a distinct price range to suit everyone’s budget.

The low-cost wedding gowns arrive in containers through sea freight and are displayed at various bridal boutiques. Besides wedding dresses, other styles of dresses are also available that people can order.

So, you can also import customize dresses from China. And, because particular materials and patterns are required, these dresses are high-end and quite expensive.

5. Import hair accessories from China to South Africa

Cosmetics, including hair for women, now account for a large portion of the global market. So you can easily import high-quality hair accessories from China to South Africa.

Not to mention, you can import hair accessories from China by air freights or by sea. However, if you require the hair or related accessories as quickly as possible, then air freights will be the best option.

6. Import machinery from China to South Africa

The type & size of machinery which you want to import from China will determine the type of transportation to be used. Big and fragile types of machinery require special packaging. And, the shipping company has to take special care of such machines.

When the large machines reach South Africa, they may arrive in various parts that will need to be assembled. Other parts of the machines which are too large to fit inside a container will arrive on different container ships.

8. Import furniture from China to South Africa

Another common import from China to South Africa is beautifully designed furniture. China is a leader in the manufacture of various types of furniture. Many of them are made from a variety of materials, such as timber.

Manufacturers use a variety of woods, ranging from hardwood to softwood, to create various furniture designs.

Not to mention, the cost of shipping will depend on the mode of transportation you use. So, you can use both air freight and sea freight to import furniture from China to South Africa.

9. Import building materials from China to South Africa

Some types of building materials are difficult to find in South Africa. This is why South Africa imports the majority of building materials from China.

Such building materials include floor tiles, marbles, roofing sheets, and other specially designed materials. Due to the high demand for building materials, we see great competition in the Chinese market.

10. Import shoes from China to South Africa

Shoes are also a major import from China to South Africa— with the majority arriving in containers through sea freight. Wondering why sea freight? Shoes are not fragile, like clothes, and therefore can be easily transported via sea freight.

The majority of Chinese shoes are of varying quality. And, as a result, the prices also vary. Because of the cheap labor and low cost of manufacturing shoes in China, many shoe companies have set their manufacturing units there.

11. Import tires from China to South Africa

As we know that tires need replacements after some time because they wear out. China also exports many types of tires to South Africa.

Commonly, many importers use sea shipping to import tires from China to South Africa. It is because sea shipping is less expensive than air shipping.

12. Import toys from China to South Africa

Toys are also one of the greatest imports from China to South Africa. And, you can import a variety of toys from China through sea containers.

However, some of the toys are very expensive and they need special care while transporting. This is why we suggest using air freight for such types of toys.

The size of the toys will decide what kind of shipping container you should use to transport the cargo. If you’re importing larger toys in bulk quantities, then you should use large containers or several containers to be successful.

Chapter 2: How Long does it Take to Import from China to South Africa?

Wondering how to import goods from China to South Africa?

The shipment normally arrives in South Africa in 5 days by air from China. Customs clearance can also take 3 to 4 business days, so your products should arrive in your warehouse in 8 to 20 business days depending on which city you are in.Many factors will impact the international shipment.

In this chapter, we will further explain the different types of transportation and how long will it take to use them. So, let’s get started!

1. Airfreight from China to South Africa

As we have mentioned above, the air shipment normally takes 8 to 20 business days to arrive from China.

2. Courier from China to South Africa

Now let’s discuss how to import products from China to South Africa through courier. Another quick and efficient way to send your parcels, documents, and small packages is through courier service.

Luckily, all of the big courier companies operate in China and South Africa.

Through courier service, you can expect to get your package within 3 to 4 business days. This includes customs clearance, among other things. Let’s have a look at some of the most well-known courier services:

• FedEx shipping from China to South Africa

FedEx is a well-known American courier service. It provides services to both China and South Africa. Like most courier companies, the delivery duration of FedEx is 2 to 3 days.

The rates of FedEx courier service are higher than standard air freight. However, the products come faster and safer. What’s best? If you choose FedEx, you won’t have to worry about documentation and the customs clearance process.

So, if you need products urgently and your package weighs less than 1 CBM or 200 kg, FedEx is the best option.

• UPS shipping from China to South Africa

Wondering how to import from China to South Africa through UPS shipping?

UPS is another well-known courier service. It is less costly compared to DHL and provides nearly identical performance and efficiency. The company delivers packages on a regular basis in both China and South Africa.

• DHL shipping from China to South Africa

DHL is the world’s most well-known courier company. It guarantees to transport your parcel within 3 to 5 business days. It is a well-known and highly reliable company. The only drawback of this courier service is that it is the most expensive among others.

• EMS shipping from China to South Africa

EMS is a government-owned courier service. The rates of this courier service are lower than those of the other companies mentioned.

Therefore, it is by far the most affordable courier service to import from China to South Africa.

Wondering how long does it take to import from China to South Africa through this service?

Unfortunately, it takes longer than any of the other options we’ve mentioned. So, you can think about it if the fast shipping is not a priority for you.

• TNT shipping from China to South Africa

TNT also provides excellent courier service at a reasonable cost. It is also very famous and has a substantial market share. You can count on them to provide satisfactory shipping services. It is also widely accessible in both China and South Africa.

• Door to door service from China to South Africa

Door to door courier means that you hire a shipping company to pick up your goods from your mentioned location and deliver it to you. They will charge of every step of the journey.

This includes documentation, loading, transportation, unloading, and customs clearance both at the ports of destination and discharge.

Chapter 3: Possible Risks & Problems Involved While Importing from China to South Africa

Now that you know how to import goods from China to South Africa, it’s also important to understand some risks which you can face throughout the process.

As we know, sourcing products at the lowest possible cost is usually the main goal of any business. However, when it comes to importing, there is always the possibility that something might go wrong.

So, you must be aware of the possible problems you might face while importing from China. Below we’ve explained some of the common risks importers face. So let’s get started!

1. Poor communication with Chinese supplier

Dealing with manufacturers and suppliers from other countries can bring new communication and language barriers.

• Solution:

In this situation, we suggest you hire an agent who is fluent in the local language and knows well about the industry to make the process easier for you. A native agent will help you in communicating your message properly, especially in the Chinese market.

2. Wrong deliveries or orders

If your package comes with outright omissions or defects, it will be difficult to obtain a refund. Why? It is because most manufacturers will consider a small business abroad as unworthy of going the extra mile.

• Solution:

The majority of manufacturers consider a freight forwarder as a lifeline. As a result, if a freight forwarder files a complaint, he is likely to be able to get a brief about the matter. Why? Because they have to deal with fright forwards on daily basis.

3. Higher freight costs

Airfreight is always more expensive than sea shipping. But, what if your products aren’t large enough to fill a container? You might end up paying for the delivery cost of a full container—resulting in a waste of resources.

• Solution:

Finding someone with whom to share a container and divide the cost would be the best solution. Meanwhile, you must have access to a network that provides such data in order to work with it.

4. The challenge of building a relationship

Conversational and contractual norms in the West are totally different from those in China.

This means that you will be unable to translate South African American norms into South African Chinese norms. So, in order to import from china to South Africa, you must consider this.

• Solution:

It takes an average of ten years to understand how Chinese traditions work. So, we suggest you hire a local to assist you with this.

Chapter 4: FAQs about Import from China to South Africa

1. Which is the ideal way to import from China to South Africa?

There are two best options to import from China to South Africa: air freight and sea freight. And, you can choose any of these options depending on how quickly you want your products and the quantity you require.

2. What is an importation permit?

An importation permit is a certificate prepared by South Africa’s International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) in accordance with the Excise and Customs Act 91 of 1964.

This document enables the import of products subjected to customs duties or quantitative restrictions. So, before importing such products, the importer should apply for an importation permit.

3. What are the various licensing and registration procedures?

If you want to import from China to South Africa, you will need different licenses for the process. These licenses include:

• Import Export License
• Customs Registration number
• Customs Registration Number (CRN)
• Importer Exporter Code (IE Code)

4. What are South Africa’s major import ports?

Durban is South Africa’s major import port. Durban’s harbor is among the biggest in the world, with a capacity for container ships of up to 10,000 TEU.

Port Elizabeth is also used by some importers as a port of entry— though it is less popular compared to Durban.

5. Which documents are required to import from China to South Africa

The following documents may be required to import from China to South Africa:

• Certificate of shipment
• Bill of lading
• Certificates of Origin
• Courier waybill
• Sea waybill
• CIM consignment note
• Air waybill
• CMR

Importing from China to South Africa is not as difficult as you may have imagined. We hope the information you’ve read will help you in the importation process.

Wrapping up

We at ShopShipShake have been working with businesses like yours with fulfilling experiences. We offer one-stop services, including an efficient supply chain, over 10 thousand of China’s suppliers, 1,000,000+ SKU and more. With a successful track record of over 100,000 clients, we are sure to deliver your orders requirements. Let’s get in touch to build, sustain, and grow your businesses.

If you would like to know more details about us, please contact with us:  www.shopshipshake.co.za

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Article reference: https://www.ejet.com/how-to-import-from-china-to-south-africa/#:~:text=There%20are%20two%20best%20options,and%20the%20quantity%20you%20require.