MWB TRADING offers importers, distributors and manufacturers in South Africa finishing products for buildings and industrial raw materials from Tunisia: plaster and white cement, tiles, adhesives and sanitaryware, raw materials for detergents and paints, chemicals, LED lighting and electrical wiring devices. Containers leave from Radès (Tunis) or Sfax, and our offers are made delivered to the port of arrival, Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth or Ngqura, on CFR or CIF terms.
This guide sets out the verified points for importing into South Africa: the importer’s registration with the customs division of the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the letter of authority (LOA) from the regulator for compulsory specifications, the NRCS, required for products such as LED lamps and cement, the common tariff of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), the AfCFTA preference open to goods of Tunisian origin and the ports of arrival. It also explains what to include in your enquiry.
Sources: South African Revenue Service (SARS) for importer registration (October 2026), the restricted goods list (May to October 2026), VAT (2025-2026) and the AfCFTA (February 2024); US government country guide (June 2026); compulsory specification for cement (2007); tralac (July 2026); Tunisian portal on African trade agreements; South African business press (2025-2026). Checked in October 2026; to be confirmed with your freight forwarder before each shipment.
These ranges from the MWB catalogue are available from Tunisia for delivery to Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth or Ngqura. References, required standards and quantities are confirmed in each offer; technical data sheets are attached for your compliance procedures, including with the NRCS where the product requires it.
Bagged plaster, including spray plaster and casting plaster, and bagged white cement, on their own or combined in the same container. In South Africa, cement, white cement included, is covered by a compulsory specification: each plant and each cement type and strength class must be approved before import, and bags carry the NRCS LOA number. Check this point with your freight forwarder before ordering.
Plaster and casting fibres MEDGYP plaster White cementFloor and wall tiles, tile adhesives, sanitaryware and taps. State the formats, finishes, areas to be covered and required standards; these products can be combined with plaster or white cement in the same container.
Floor and wall tiles Tile adhesives Taps and sanitaryware Taps and valvesRaw materials for making washing powders and detergents, and industrial chemicals, with the technical data sheet of each product. State the grade, packaging and intended use. Have the tariff code of each material checked: since July 2026, subheading 3402.90, which covers certain surface-active, washing and cleaning preparations, has been detained at the port for inspection by port health.
Raw materials for detergents Industrial chemicalsCalcium carbonate and other raw materials for making paints, renders and putties, with the technical data sheet of each product. State the particle size, required whiteness, packaging, in bags or big bags, and intended use.
Calcium carbonate Raw materials for paintsLED lamps, luminaires and street lighting, and electrical wiring devices. Since the May 2026 update of the SARS restricted goods list, LED lamps and modules have been detained on import for the NRCS and subject to a letter of authority (LOA), issued after testing by an accredited laboratory; other electrical products are also covered by compulsory specifications. The technical data sheet of each model is attached to the offer.
Lighting and luminaires Street lighting Electrical wiring devicesSouth Africa has eight commercial ports. For containers, Durban is the country’s leading port; Cape Town, Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) and Ngqura complete the network. Ngqura, the newest port, in operation since 2009, is a container transhipment hub that is part of the Coega industrial development zone. From Radès or Sfax, cargo travels with transhipment depending on the carrier; for Johannesburg and inland destinations, onward transport is arranged with your freight forwarder.
The importer must be registered with SARS customs, which issues a customs code: the application is made online on eFiling, through the RLA registration system, and is free of charge. Goods are declared on the Single Administrative Document (SAD); using a customs clearing agent is recommended. The file includes the commercial invoice, with a full description of the nature and characteristics of the goods, the bill of lading, the packing list, whose data must match the other documents, and an insurance certificate for sea freight; proof of origin is required to claim a rate lower than the general rate. An ITAC import permit is only required for controlled goods, mainly used goods, and must be held before the shipment date. MWB prepares the commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and technical data sheets.
The NRCS, the regulator for compulsory specifications, issues a letter of authority (LOA) for the products they cover, after testing by an accredited laboratory and before import. The SARS restricted goods list, organised by tariff code, shows the headings detained on import for the NRCS; since its May 2026 update, it has made LED lamps and modules and certain electrical conductors subject to detention for the NRCS and to an LOA on import. Cement has been covered by a compulsory specification since 2007: prior approval of each plant and of each cement type and strength class, an accredited certification body appointed by the importer, and bags marked in English with the LOA number. South African national standards (SANS), published by the SABS, build on ISO, IEC and European standards: the cement standard, SANS 50197-1, adopts EN 197-1. Markings on imported industrial products must be in English.
State the name of the importing company and its SARS customs code, the preferred port of arrival (Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth or Ngqura) and the delivery city, with the references, quantities, required standards and, if known, the tariff code of each product, so you can check whether it appears on the restricted goods list. Say whether an NRCS LOA already exists for the product or still has to be obtained. Finally, state whether several product families can share the same container and whether you want a CFR, CIF or FOB offer.
Availability, transport, lead times and documents are confirmed in each offer.
State your products, quantities, port of arrival and delivery point. South Africa is already selected; you can change it.
Chat on WhatsAppYes. The importer registers with SARS customs, which issues a customs code; the application is made online on eFiling, through the RLA registration system, and is free of charge. In June 2025, SARS warned that customs codes may be suspended if the RLA profile is not updated. Using a customs clearing agent for the declaration is recommended.
Those covered by a compulsory specification: many electrical products, such as certain cables, switches, plugs and lamps, as well as cement. Since the May 2026 update of the SARS restricted goods list, LED lamps and modules and certain electrical conductors have been detained on import for the NRCS and subject to an LOA. The LOA is obtained before import, after testing by an accredited laboratory. Have your freight forwarder check the tariff code of each product before ordering; we provide the technical data sheets.
Yes, subject to conditions, under the AfCFTA, the only preferential framework between the two countries: South Africa has no free trade agreement with Tunisia. Since 31 January 2024, South Africa has applied AfCFTA tariff preferences to goods originating in several countries, including Tunisia; the proof of origin is the AfCFTA certificate of origin. Duty reductions are gradual and vary by product; without proof of origin, the general rate of the SACU tariff applies. MWB prepares the certificate of origin for the shipment; ask your freight forwarder to confirm the rate for your product.
Customs duties follow the SACU common external tariff, according to each product’s tariff code; anti-dumping or countervailing duties may be added for certain products and origins. Import VAT is 15%: it is calculated on the customs value plus 10%, plus the duties.
Our offers are made delivered to the port of arrival, Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth or Ngqura, on CFR or CIF terms, from Radès (Tunis) or Sfax; FOB departure is possible on request. Cargo travels with transhipment depending on the carrier. Several product families can be combined in the same 20 or 40-foot container, and small volumes travel as groupage; for urgent needs of small quantities, air freight from Tunis-Carthage can be considered on request.
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