Import clothing from China to South Africa
Indicative duty ~45% (HS 61 / 62). Work out the all-in landed cost below.
China to South Africa, all-in
Indicative, not a quote. Duty bands, FX and freight are estimates sampled 2026-06-07. Confirm the exact HS duty with South Africa customs and freight with a forwarder.
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Today's yuan to South Africa rate
Indicative, not a quote. The band is typical of agent/payment pricing.
| CNY | At mid rate | What you actually pay |
|---|---|---|
| ¥1,000 | R2,474 | R2,536 |
| ¥10,000 | R24,737 | R25,356 |
| ¥100,000 | R247,373 | R253,557 |
The FX leg is often the difference between a profitable order and a loss. The mid-market rate is the reference; what you actually pay to settle into a Chinese supplier's account sits 1–2.5% above it. On a large payment that spread can outweigh the agent fee, so it is worth comparing rates the day you pay.
Worked example: Clothing to South Africa
For a typical clothing order into South Africa — 800 units at ¥34 each (200 kg, sea freight) — the duty falls in the 45% band, on top of which sit 15% VAT on the ATV. That lands at roughly R122,910, or R154 per unit (~$9), an effective burden near 68% of the CIF value. Against a local retail of R249 to R416, gross margin runs about 63-38%. This order South Africa has no de-minimis, so any value pays full duty.
A realistic order: 800 units at ¥34 each (200 kg, 1.2 CBM, sea).
Is it worth importing?
At a landed R155 per unit, against a typical local retail of R252 to R421, gross margin is roughly 63-38%. Indicative; real retail varies by market and channel.
QC check. Check fabric weight (GSM), stitch density and that the size chart matches your market's bodies, not China's; pull a wash test for colour-fastness and shrinkage.
Apparel is a finished consumer good and a protected domestic industry in most markets, so it usually sits at or near the top duty band.
HS classification trap. Knitted (HS 61) and woven (HS 62) garments are separate chapters, and fibre composition shifts the rate; a polyester/cotton blend can be dutied differently from pure cotton.
Indicative, not a quote. Example inputs are typical for the product class; duty and FX sampled 2026-06-07.
Buying clothing on 1688
Typical 1688 search terms: women dress, t-shirt, hoodie, leggings. Apparel ~40-45% (anti-dumping possible). Verify exact HS via SARS Schedule 1. Sourced 2026-06-07.
All South Africa categories →Frequently asked questions
What duty applies to clothing in South Africa?
Indicative duty for clothing is about 45% (HS hint HS 61 / 62). With South Africa's VAT and levy stack the effective burden is roughly 68%. Verify the exact rate with South African Revenue Service (SARS).
What does clothing cost to import from China?
It depends on unit price, quantity, agent fee and freight. Use the calculator above for an all-in landed cost in ZAR.
What should I search for on 1688?
Common terms for this category: women dress, t-shirt, hoodie, leggings. Pair these with a sourcing agent if you cannot read Chinese.
Are these numbers official?
No. Duty, FX and freight here are indicative estimates sampled 2026-06-07. Confirm with South African Revenue Service (SARS) and a forwarder before paying.
Last updated: 2026-06-07.
Sipho covers importing from China into South Africa: the SARS tariff schedule where duty swings from 0% on many electronics to 45% on clothing, the ATV base that VAT is actually charged on, and how the rand's volatility against the yuan moves a landed cost. Johannesburg-based, writing for the serious SA importer.