A practical, step-by-step guide for South African garlic importers: Durban and Cape Town ports, SACU tariff, DALRRD import permit, SABS compliance, shipping routes from Qingdao, documentation, and cost breakdown.
Published: August 12, 2026 | Reading time: 14 min
Quick Answer: To import garlic from China to South Africa, you need a DALRRD (Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development) import permit obtained before shipment, a Phytosanitary Certificate and Certificate of Origin from your Chinese supplier, and SARS Customs registration. Ocean freight from Qingdao to Durban takes 28-32 days. The SACU tariff on fresh garlic (HS 0703.20) is approximately 15%, plus 15% VAT. South African buyers prefer Normal White and Pure White garlic in 5.5-6.0cm sizes. The standard MOQ is 1 x 40HQ Reefer Container (28MT) at -2°C to -3°C.
South Africa is the largest economy in Africa and a significant garlic importer. While South Africa has domestic garlic production, local supply falls short of meeting year-round demand, particularly during the off-season months. Chinese garlic fills this gap with competitive pricing, consistent quality, and reliable supply through cold storage infrastructure. For South African trading companies, wholesale distributors, and supermarket chains, understanding the import process, regulatory requirements, and logistics is essential to running a profitable garlic import business.
This guide is written for South African importers, food distributors, and retail procurement teams who want to source garlic directly from China. It covers market data, the full import process, DALRRD permit requirements, tariffs, shipping routes, documentation, and a cost breakdown comparing FOB Qingdao and CIF Durban terms.
South Africa consumes approximately 60,000-80,000 metric tons of garlic per year. Domestic production, concentrated in the Western Cape, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, supplies roughly 20,000-30,000 MT annually. This leaves an import gap of 40,000-50,000 MT, with China being the primary supplier, followed by smaller volumes from Spain and Argentina.
Chinese garlic dominates the South African import market due to its price advantage, reliable supply, and variety of sizes. Garlic is widely used in South African cuisine, from traditional dishes to modern food processing. Demand is relatively stable year-round, with seasonal peaks during winter months and holiday periods.
The main garlic wholesale hubs include the Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market (the largest in South Africa), the Cape Town Fresh Produce Market, and the Durban Fresh Produce Market. Garlic arriving at Durban Port is typically trucked to the Johannesburg market within 1-2 days of customs clearance, as Johannesburg serves as the national distribution hub. Cape Town Port serves the Western Cape market directly.
China produces over 60% of the world's garlic, and Shandong Province is the heart of China's garlic export industry. The region's loamy soil, distinct four-season climate, and decades of farming expertise produce garlic with uniform bulbs, tight skin, and excellent storage characteristics — qualities that matter greatly when shipping across the Indian Ocean to South Africa.
For South African importers, the advantages of sourcing from China include:
If you want to compare the two main garlic varieties available from China, see our detailed comparison at Normal White Garlic and Pure White Garlic product pages.
Importing garlic from China to South Africa involves seven key steps. Each step has specific requirements under South African regulations, and skipping any can result in customs delays, fines, or cargo spoilage. Below is the complete process.
Before you can import goods into South Africa, your company must be registered with SARS (South African Revenue Service) Customs. You need to obtain an importer/customs code, which is used on all customs declarations. The registration requires your company registration documents, tax clearance certificate, and SARS registration. The process typically takes 1-2 weeks for first-time applicants.
Your customs code must be active and valid before you place any order with a Chinese supplier. Work with a licensed South African customs broker to ensure your registration is complete and covers the correct HS code for fresh garlic (0703.20).
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) requires an import permit for all fresh garlic entering South Africa. The permit application must include details of the product, country of origin, expected volume, and the phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country. DALRRD conducts a pest risk analysis before issuing the permit.
The import permit must be obtained before the shipment departs from China. Processing time is typically 2-4 weeks. DALRRD may impose specific conditions on the permit, such as requirements for fumigation, cold treatment, or post-arrival quarantine inspection. Ensure your Chinese supplier is aware of and can meet all permit conditions.
Start by identifying Chinese garlic exporters with proven experience shipping to South Africa or the broader African market. A supplier familiar with the South African market will know the preferred garlic specifications, packaging formats, and documentation requirements, including DALRRD permit conditions.
Request the supplier's business license, export qualifications, and references from existing clients. You can also request a third-party inspection (SGS, BV, or Intertek) before shipment to independently verify garlic quality, size, and packing. For a comprehensive supplier verification checklist, see our guide on how to choose a garlic supplier in China.
South African buyers have a dual preference: Normal White garlic for the wholesale market segment and Pure White garlic for retail and supermarket channels. Given the 28-32 day voyage from Qingdao to Durban, shelf life is a critical factor — garlic that arrives sprouting or with mold will be rejected or heavily discounted at the Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market.
The most popular specifications for the South African market are:
Garlic is shipped in 40HQ reefer containers set at -2°C to -3°C with ventilation. This temperature range keeps garlic dormant without freezing it, preserving quality during the 28-32 day voyage. The container's ventilation setting should be set to 25-30 CBM/hour to allow proper airflow and prevent moisture buildup that can cause mold.
Major shipping lines serving the Qingdao-to-South Africa route include Maersk, MSC, and CMA CGM. These carriers offer regular weekly sailings to both Durban and Cape Town. Your freight forwarder can help you choose the best sailing based on transit time, cost, and reliability. Book the container 2-3 weeks before the planned loading date to secure space.
Required documents include: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading, Phytosanitary Certificate from China Customs, Certificate of Origin, fumigation certificate, and the DALRRD import permit. Ensure all documents are consistent and accurate — discrepancies between documents are the most common cause of customs delays.
Upon arrival at the South African port, your customs broker files the import declaration through SARS's electronic customs system (SAD500). The following documents are submitted: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading, Phytosanitary Certificate, Certificate of Origin, DALRRD import permit, and fumigation certificate.
SARS Customs and DALRRD's Plant Quarantine division will inspect the shipment. The quarantine inspection checks for pests, diseases, and compliance with the phytosanitary certificate and import permit conditions. If any issues are found, the shipment may be held for further inspection, treated locally, or in rare cases, destroyed or re-exported.
Customs clearance at Durban typically takes 3-5 business days from vessel arrival, provided all documents are in order. Durban is generally more efficient than Cape Town for container clearance due to its larger capacity and experience with agricultural imports.
After customs clearance, the reefer container is trucked from the port to your warehouse or directly to the fresh produce market. Durban Port has excellent connectivity to Johannesburg (approximately 600 km, 8-10 hours by truck), making the Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market the primary distribution destination for garlic arriving via Durban. Cape Town Port serves the Western Cape market directly.
Once at your warehouse, garlic should be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. If you have cold storage, maintain the temperature at 0°C to -1°C and humidity at 65-70% to maximize shelf life. Properly stored Chinese garlic can last 3-4 months after arrival, giving you ample time to distribute through your sales channels.
South Africa has specific import regulations designed to protect domestic agriculture and ensure food safety. Understanding these requirements is critical to avoiding customs delays and penalties.
Based on market preferences and the 28-32 day transit time, the following specifications are recommended for South African importers:
For detailed information on container loading and capacity, see our garlic container loading guide. For packaging options comparison, visit our packaging options guide.
Garlic from Shandong is shipped from Qingdao Port, one of China's largest container ports. The voyage to South Africa passes through the South China Sea, the Strait of Malacca, the Indian Ocean, and reaches the southeastern coast of Africa. Two ports serve the South African garlic import market:
The choice between Durban and Cape Town depends on your end-market location. If you distribute primarily through Johannesburg (the largest fresh produce market in South Africa), Durban is the most cost-effective route. If you serve the Western Cape, Cape Town Port saves inland transport costs. Both ports have cold chain facilities, though most importers arrange direct truck pickup of their reefer containers.
Understanding the total landed cost of garlic is essential for pricing your product competitively in the South African market. Below is a typical cost breakdown for a 40HQ reefer container of garlic (28MT), comparing FOB Qingdao and CIF Durban terms.
Note: Figures are indicative and for reference only. Garlic prices fluctuate seasonally. Ocean freight rates change monthly. VAT-registered businesses can reclaim the 15% VAT as input tax. Always request a current quote for accurate pricing. *Excludes inland transport to Johannesburg.
The choice between FOB and CIF depends on your logistics expertise. First-time importers benefit from CIF because the supplier handles the 28-32 day reefer shipment. Experienced importers with established freight forwarder relationships can save $300-600 per container on FOB terms by negotiating their own freight rates. For a detailed explanation of Incoterms and price calculations, see our FOB vs CIF price calculation guide.
You need a Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading, Phytosanitary Certificate issued by China Customs, Certificate of Origin, and a fumigation certificate. You also need a DALRRD import permit obtained before shipment departure, and an active SARS customs importer code. All documents must be original or certified copies and must be consistent with each other.
Fresh garlic (HS code 0703.20) falls under the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) tariff at approximately 15%. There is no free trade agreement between China and South Africa that provides tariff preferences for garlic, so the full MFN rate applies. A 15% VAT is also charged on the imported value (CIF + duty). VAT-registered businesses can reclaim the VAT as input tax. Verify the current rate with SARS Customs before confirming any order.
Ocean freight from Qingdao Port to Durban takes 28-32 days. Including 5-7 days for production, quality inspection, DALRRD permit processing, and container loading in China, plus 3-5 days for customs clearance at Durban, the total lead time from order confirmation to warehouse delivery is typically 6-8 weeks. Plan ahead to ensure supply continuity.
South African buyers prefer both Normal White and Pure White garlic in 5.5cm and 6.0cm sizes. Normal White is popular in wholesale markets like the Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market, while Pure White is favored by retail and supermarket chains for its cleaner appearance. Packaging is typically 10kg cartons for retail channels or 10kg mesh bags for wholesale distribution.
Yes. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) requires an import permit for all fresh garlic entering South Africa. The permit application must include product details, country of origin, expected volume, and the phytosanitary certificate from China. DALRRD conducts a pest risk analysis before issuing the permit. Processing takes 2-4 weeks, and the permit must be obtained before the shipment departs from China. The permit may specify conditions such as fumigation or post-arrival inspection requirements.
Need a South Africa-specific garlic quote? ExCrop ships Normal White and Pure White garlic 5.5-6.0cm to Durban and Cape Town regularly. We handle phytosanitary certificates, certificates of origin, and reefer container setup. Contact us at contact@excrop.com or WhatsApp +86 136 5898 0612 for a current FOB or CIF Durban quote.
Get a competitive quote today. ExCrop handles everything from production to documentation.
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