Import hair products from China to South Africa
Indicative duty ~20% (HS 6703 / 6704). 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: Hair Products to South Africa
For a typical hair products order into South Africa — 200 units at ¥165 each (30 kg, air freight) — the duty falls in the 20% band, on top of which sit 15% VAT on the ATV. That lands at roughly R120,681, or R603 per unit (~$35), an effective burden near 40% of the CIF value. Against a local retail of R807 to R1,614, gross margin runs about 63-25%. This order South Africa has no de-minimis, so any value pays full duty.
A realistic order: 200 units at ¥165 each (30 kg, 0.16 CBM, air).
Is it worth importing?
At a landed R610 per unit, against a typical local retail of R816 to R1,633, gross margin is roughly 63-25%. Indicative; real retail varies by market and channel.
QC check. Confirm human vs synthetic honestly (a burn test tells you), check weft tightness and shedding, and verify length after washing, which is where bundles lose claimed inches.
Hair products are finished consumer goods; the band is moderate-to-high and the bigger variable is correct human/wig/synthetic classification.
HS classification trap. Human hair (HS 6703) and finished wigs (HS 6704) are different lines, and synthetic fibre shifts the chapter again, so the same shipment can be classified three ways.
Indicative, not a quote. Example inputs are typical for the product class; duty and FX sampled 2026-06-07.
Buying hair products on 1688
Typical 1688 search terms: human hair bundles, wig, lace frontal, braiding hair. Indicative; varies by HS. Verify exact HS via SARS Schedule 1. Sourced 2026-06-07.
All South Africa categories →Frequently asked questions
What duty applies to hair products in South Africa?
Indicative duty for hair products is about 20% (HS hint HS 6703 / 6704). With South Africa's VAT and levy stack the effective burden is roughly 40%. Verify the exact rate with South African Revenue Service (SARS).
What does hair products 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: human hair bundles, wig, lace frontal, braiding hair. 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.