South Africa · Administrative guidance
South Africa excludes pyrophyllite from mineral export controls
On 22 October 2026, the South African Revenue Service updated its Prohibited and Restricted Imports and Exports list to clarify that pyrophyllite is excluded from ITAC export-control measures otherwise linked to tariff subheading 2530.90.
- Official document:
- SARS Prohibited and Restricted Imports and Exports list update, 22 October 2026; Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964 section 113(8)(a); tariff subheading 2530.90
- Development date:
- 2026-10-22
A product exclusion within a controlled tariff line
The update says tariff subheading 2530.90 is subject to export-control measures administered by the International Trade Administration Commission, but expressly excludes pyrophyllite. SARS explains that restricted goods may leave South Africa only under the applicable conditions, such as production of a permit, certificate or letter of authority. The change therefore narrows how the control list applies within the tariff line; it does not remove controls from every product declared under 2530.90.[1][2]
Customs-law framework
SARS administers prohibitions and restrictions for other public authorities under section 113(8)(a) of the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964. Its consolidated list is arranged using the Harmonised System tariff structure. Restricted goods may enter or leave South Africa only under the applicable conditions, such as production of a permit, certificate or letter of authority; prohibited goods cannot do so.[2][3]
The customs-duty rate has not changed
Schedule 1 Part 1 describes heading 25.30 as mineral substances not elsewhere specified or included and subheading 2530.90 as 'Other'. The schedule shows the general and listed preferential customs-duty rates for 2530.90 as free. SARS's 22 October notice changes the prohibited-and-restricted list treatment for pyrophyllite, not the tariff wording or duty rate, and it does not announce a move to another commodity code.[1][4]
What mineral exporters should check
Businesses exporting pyrophyllite should align the customs declaration, commercial description and technical product evidence so the exclusion can be distinguished from other mineral products within 2530.90. Exporters of different goods under the same residual line should not infer that their ITAC control has disappeared. Where a product is mixed, processed or described generically, the precise classification and control position should be confirmed before shipment rather than relying only on the shared tariff subheading.[1][2][4]
Official sources
- [1] Updated Prohibited and Restricted Imports and Exports list
South African Revenue Service · Document date: 2026-10-22
Dated update, lines 32–36: tariff subheading 2530.90 is subject to ITAC export-control measures; pyrophyllite is excluded and should be exempted.
- [2] Prohibited, restricted and counterfeit goods
South African Revenue Service · Document date: 2026-10-22
What's New entry dated 22 October 2026; definitions of prohibited and restricted goods; consolidated-list and Harmonised System explanation; section 113(8)(a) administration statement at lines 176–193.
- [3] SC-CC-32 — Prohibited and Restricted Goods — External Policy
South African Revenue Service · Document date: 2024-11-15
Revision 7, page 4 of 5, legislation table: Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964 sections including 113(8)(a)–(d).
- [4] Customs and Excise Act Schedule 1 Part 1, Chapters 1 to 99
South African Revenue Service · Document date: 2026-02-13
PDF page 132: heading 25.30, 'Mineral substances not elsewhere specified or included'; subheading 2530.90, 'Other', unit kg, general and listed preferential rates free.