HS code 4202.12 covers Suitcases & hard-shell luggage (plastics/textile outer) — for example hard-shell trolley suitcases, luggage sets. South Africa applies an indicative general customs duty of 30%, 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 (30%) | R30,000 |
| Import VAT (15% on ATV) | R21,000 |
| Estimated landed cost | R151,000 |
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 4202.12 sits in the tariff
Classification is decided at heading level first. Heading 4202 is “Trunks; suit, camera, jewellery, cutlery cases; travel, tool, similar bags; wholly or mainly covered by leather, composition leather, plastic sheeting, textile materials, vulcanised fibre, paperboard”. If your product is closer to one of the neighbouring subheadings below, that line — and its duty rate — is the one that applies.
- 4202.11 Cases and containers; trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases, executive-cases, brief-cases, school satchels and similar containers, with outer surface of leather or of composition leather
- 4202.12 Cases and containers; trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases, executive-cases, brief-cases, school satchels and similar containers, with outer surface of plastics or of textile materials — this page
- 4202.19 Cases and containers; trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases, executive-cases, brief-cases, school satchels and similar containers, of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard, or wholly or mainly covered with such materials or with paper
- 4202.21 Cases and containers; handbags (whether or not with shoulder strap and including those without handle), with outer surface of leather or of composition leather
- 4202.22 Cases and containers; handbags (whether or not with shoulder strap and including those without handle), with outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials
- 4202.29 Cases and containers; handbags (whether or not with shoulder strap and including those without handle), of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard, or wholly or mainly covered with such materials or with paper
- 4202.31 Cases and containers; of a kind normally carried in the pocket or in the handbag, with outer surface of leather or of composition leather
- 4202.32 Cases and containers; of a kind normally carried in the pocket or in the handbag, with outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials
- 4202.39 Cases and containers; of a kind normally carried in the pocket or in the handbag, of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard, or wholly or mainly covered with such materials or with paper
- 4202.91 Cases and containers; n.e.c. in heading 4202, with outer surface of leather or of composition leather
- 4202.92 Cases and containers; n.e.c. in heading 4202, with outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials 30% duty
- 4202.99 Cases and containers; n.e.c. in heading 4202, of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard, or wholly or mainly covered with such materials or with paper
Harmonised System HS 2022 nomenclature. See the whole of Chapter 42 →
Watch HS 4202.12 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 42 — Leather goods; handbags, luggage & saddlery
Frequently asked questions
What is the import duty on suitcases & hard-shell luggage (plastics/textile outer) in South Africa?
HS code 4202.12 (Suitcases & hard-shell luggage (plastics/textile outer)) attracts an indicative general customs duty of 30% 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 hard-shell trolley suitcases?
The Harmonised System heading for suitcases & hard-shell luggage (plastics/textile outer) is 4202.12. 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.