HS code 2005.20 covers Prepared potatoes (chips & crisps) — for example potato crisps, frozen fries. South Africa applies an indicative general customs duty of 20%, on top of which 15% import VAT is charged.
Worked example: landed cost on R100,000 of goods
| Customs value (CIF) | R100,000 |
| Customs duty (20%) | R20,000 |
| Import VAT (15% on ATV) | R19,500 |
| Estimated landed cost | R139,500 |
VAT is charged on the Added Tax Value (customs value + 10% upliftment for non-SACU imports + duties). Figures exclude clearing, freight and any anti-dumping/safeguard duty. For an exact, all-in figure use the Duty & VAT Calculator.
Where HS 2005.20 sits in the tariff
Classification is decided at heading level first. Heading 2005 is “Vegetables preparations n.e.c.; prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen, other than products of heading no. 2006”. If your product is closer to one of the neighbouring subheadings below, that line — and its duty rate — is the one that applies.
- 2005.10 Vegetable preparations; homogenised vegetables, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen
- 2005.20 Vegetable preparations; potatoes, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen — this page
- 2005.40 Vegetable preparations; peas (pisum sativum), prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen
- 2005.51 Vegetable preparations; beans, shelled, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen
- 2005.59 Vegetable preparations; beans, (not shelled), prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen
- 2005.60 Vegetable preparations; asparagus, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen
- 2005.70 Vegetable preparations; olives, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen
- 2005.80 Vegetable preparations; sweetcorn (zea mays var. saccharata), prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen
- 2005.91 Vegetable preparations; bamboo shoots, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen
- 2005.99 Vegetable preparations; vegetables and mixtures of vegetables n.e.c. in heading no. 2005, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen
Harmonised System HS 2022 nomenclature. See the whole of Chapter 20 →
Watch HS 2005.20 for changes
Duty rates, anti-dumping measures and permit rules change by Government Gazette. We’ll email you if this code’s status shifts.
Data current as of 2026-08-06. Indicative general (MFN) rate — real duty can differ at 8-digit level, under trade agreements (SADC, EU-EPA) and by Government Gazette. This is guidance, not a tariff determination under s47(9) of the Customs & Excise Act, 1964. Verify against the current SARS Tariff Book.
More codes in Chapter 20 — Preparations of vegetables, fruit & nuts
Frequently asked questions
What is the import duty on prepared potatoes (chips & crisps) in South Africa?
HS code 2005.20 (Prepared potatoes (chips & crisps)) attracts an indicative general customs duty of 20% in South Africa, plus 15% import VAT charged on the Added Tax Value. Verify the exact rate in the current SARS Tariff Book.
What is the HS code for potato crisps?
The Harmonised System heading for prepared potatoes (chips & crisps) is 2005.20. South Africa uses an 8-digit tariff line based on this heading — confirm the precise 8-digit code in the SARS Tariff Book before importing.