The SADC Certificate of Origin, box by box
The Certificate of Origin is the document that unlocks duty-free SADC trade. Here's what every one of its 13 sections needs — and the two boxes that trip exporters up most.
Reviewed 2026-06-25. General guidance — always work from the current official SARS form and instructions.
Before you start: register with SARS Customs
You can't use a SADC Certificate of Origin until you're a registered exporter. Apply to SARS Customs for a Customs Client Number (CCN) — via eFiling/RLA or a Customs branch office — and use it on all your export declarations. Find the SARS exporter registration link in the directory.
The 13 sections
Exporter
Your business name, address and company registration number.
Consignee
The buyer/receiver’s name and address in the destination country.
Official use
Leave blank — for the issuing authority.
Transport details
Means of transport and route (e.g. air freight from OR Tambo). Often optional.
Official use
Leave blank — for the issuing authority.
Description of goods
Marks, numbers, number and kind of packages, and a clear description of the goods.
HS tariff code Key
The customs tariff heading for each item. All tariff codes on one certificate must be from the same chapter (the same first two digits) — use a separate certificate for goods in other chapters.
Origin criterion Key
Enter "P" for goods wholly produced, or "S" for goods made with imported inputs that are sufficiently processed.
Gross mass
Total weight of the shipment, including all packing.
Invoice
The commercial invoice number and date for the cargo.
Exporter declaration
You declare the goods’ origin: country, place, date and authorised signature.
Certification
Completed and stamped by Customs or the designated authority — not by you.
Official use
Reserved for the certifying authority.
The reverse of the form lists the producer and each line item with its own P/S classification and quantity.
Frequently asked questions
What goes in Box 7 of the SADC Certificate of Origin?
Box 7 carries the HS customs tariff code for each item. A key rule: all tariff codes on a single certificate must fall in the same chapter — that is, share the same first two digits. If your shipment includes goods from different chapters, you complete more than one certificate.
What goes in Box 8?
Box 8 is the origin criterion. Enter "P" if the goods are wholly produced in the SADC region, or "S" if they contain imported materials but are sufficiently worked or processed to qualify.
Do I need to register before I can use a SADC Certificate of Origin?
Yes. You must first register as an exporter with SARS Customs and obtain a Customs Client Number (CCN). The certificate is then completed by you and certified by Customs or a designated authority before export.
Who signs and certifies the certificate?
The exporter completes and signs the declaration (Box 11). The certification boxes are completed and date-stamped by Customs or the designated issuing authority — you do not complete those yourself.
Not sure your goods qualify?
Check the 35% value-addition rule first, or let NanoLeap help with the paperwork.