4 September 2026 – The implementation of the China Zero-Tariff Trade Scheme introduces a new Additional Information Code, namely CHN. Traders are required to declare CHN in the Additional Information field. The Additional Information Value field is mandatory and must be completed by the trader.
For VOC submissions, provision has been made for submissions to be accepted before the effective date of 1 May 2026. The implementation date of this agreement should be recorded as 1 May 2025, enabling traders to add the new Additional Information Code and capture the certificate information on processed entries.
SARS will continue to accept entries supported by manual endorsements, including stamped certificates, while service providers implement the required system changes. The grace period for manual endorsements will apply for 30 business days from the date of this publication.
For more information, see the Rules of Origin webpage.
